nicgo.ca

Hello Internets…

2012-02-02T05:20:00.006-05:00

It’s “Big Game” weekend and sadly, I have to work. And not that fun kind of work like flying to Indianapolis and getting a press pass for the “Big Game”. It’s the dreadful regular job type work I’m going to have to do. But since that’s not your problem, onwards to some thoughts dancing round my melon.

- On Egyptian Soccer Riots
A year after former president Hosni Mubarak was ousted from power, Egypt is still gripped with civil unrest that came to a head in the costal town of Port Said Wednesday night. More than 70 people are confirmed dead when rioting broke out after home side Al-Masry unexpectedly beat Egyptian powerhouses Al-Ahly. Fans rushed the field inciting a full blown riot as a lessened police presence was unable to control the unrest. With the injured and dying being rushed into the teams’ dressing rooms Al-Ahly goalkeeper Sharif Ikrami, who was injured in the melee was quoted “There were people dying in front of us… its over. We've all made a decision that we won't play soccer any more. How will we play soccer after 70 people died? We can't think about it.” Neither can the rest of us Sharif. Thoughts and prayers going out to the people of Egypt, for security and peace.

- On the “Big Game”
On the one side the Giants of New York and on the other, the Patriots of New England. A titanic rematch of the 2008 “Big Game” where the then upstart Giants defeated the powerhouse Patriots. I’ll forego the obligatory overanalyses and skip straight to my prediction on the game. The Patriots seldom let opportunities for redemption slip thru their fingertips and history will follow suit on Sunday. Give me the Pats -3 and I’ll even give you a parlay to play; take the under 55 total.

- On Crosby
Sydney Crosby is still injured… that is all.

- On the Blue Jays
This week, Jays General Manager Alex Anthopoulos hosted his annual state of the Blue Jays meeting for season ticket suckers. An assembly of sorts that usually resembles every other iteration - a giant hope-in where the brass reiterated the time old team motto… “Just wait till ”. Anthopoulos fielded a few tough questions on pitching and if for nothing else this proves that Jays fans are at the very least, educated. In the last decade, the Jays best run was a three season stretch between 06-08 where they ranked in the top five (AL) in team ERA and Opposing Batting Average and finished top five in saves two of those three years.

- On Rumours
Well it seems the major media outlets (in Canada) just can’t help themselves. What was once relegated to the blogosphere, daily rumour sections are now popping up all over the place. What’s the difference between the old rumour sites and the stuff on the networks? Now you know who’s feeding you the steaming pile. So in that vein, here are the latest trade rumours I’m making up. Basketball first, Dwight Howard is destined for Chicago. Why? I don’t know, why not… and onto Hockey. The Maple Leafs are said to be very keen on Sidney Crosby ever since his pension for injuries has increased… but I keed. To be serious; with Carolina at the bottom of the East, I can’t see how they begin the rebuild with Cam Ward and Eric Stall on the payroll. Ditto Jussi Jokinen and Joni Pikanen.

Blast From The Past

2012-01-24T12:22:00.003-05:00

Courtesy of the Torontoist.com... Your Prime Time Sports Lineup

Hello Internets…

2012-01-24T12:21:00.013-05:00

It’s been some time since I posted and between work, this thing I’m working on and this other thing I’m trying to get going… it’s been a busy few weeks. But the internet doesn’t sleep, and tweets are only 140 characters so… let’s go.

- On Joe Paterno
Goodbye JoePa, we hardly knew you. Actually, that depends on who you talk to. Some of you think you have a pretty good handle of what was going on behind the walls in Happy Valley, PA. So riddle me this; what’s going on there now? That’s right, you don’t know and neither does anyone else. Because if we’re to accept that this entire Penn State abuse scandal is an institutional failure, why haven’t there been discussions (at the institutional or national level) on collegiate sports reform? It would appear that even after several failed investigations, tight lipped janitorial staff and scared assistants - we’re still left wondering, what will change and are the kids (and they still are just kids) safe on campus, even under the supervision of college officials? The protection of the students is job number one… isn’t it?

- On the Sooperbowl
Well it’s New York versus New England in a rematch of the 2008 iteration that saw the Giants hand the Pats their only loss of the season. Bad news for the Giants, the Pats have already lost a few times this season… once to the Giants. And considering the internet will be awash with pointless stories from writers, who don’t usually cover football, let me say one thing. Considering the slim pickings on Meridian Street when it comes to night-time establishments… this should be the last time the “big game” is played in Indy.

- On Tim Thomas
Americans live in a democratic society. In a democratic society, a person has the freedom to go wherever they like. Tim Thomas is American… therefore?

And that’s where it should end. That should’ve been the only reasoning Thomas needed. But that’s not the reasoning he used and that’s where the trouble started. Thomas is now a victim of some very juicy irony because he broke the cardinal rule for politicians; he gave specifics. Why is this problematic? Well, usually when you’re specific with your answers, people would like you to elaborate on your thoughts. When arguing with a Tea Partier, ask for elaboration… they hate that.

- On the Blue Jays
Now that Alex Anthopoulos has gotten through acquiring past Blue Jays, he’s moved onto other teams scraps. And it’s not that anyone really expected young Anthopoulos to make a real splash in this year’s free agent crop, but it’s not a good look when you acquire all of your predecessors past castaways - no matter how much you believe/scouted them. Because at the end of the day everyone is getting sick of the same spring training motto, “we’re building for next year.”

- On the Maple Leafs
We’re just past the halfway point of the season and the trade deadline is in the crosshairs. It’s just about that time when (historically) general manager Brian Burke gets to work improving his hockey team. And that’s generally where Leafs-Nation sits; hoping to stay in the playoff hunt and hoping that Burke makes a move that gets them there. But with impending labour strife on hockey’s horizon, this could be the last chance for the Leafs to make the big dance… at least… for a while.

- On the Raptors
If you’re bright, you couldn’t be happier with how the Raptors have played this season. Currently in the midst of an eight game skid and with seven of their next nine games coming on the road, the Raps seem poised to be comfortably in the draft lottery. I understand that you might like to see the Raptors winning but consider this. Toronto WILL NEVER be a destination for top-end NBA talent, so how do the Raptors get top end talent? You guessed it, the draft. Rebuilding in the NBA is simple people, suck until you luck. Just sit back and enjoy the fact that the Raps defence has looked better than it has in a decade… and if you’ve been following this team… that’s something.

- On trade rumours (any team applies)
If you hear a rumour… and it doesn’t become a trade in the next hour… it won’t happen at all.

Always taking your questions and comments on Twitter, hit me up!

Checking In...

2011-12-21T20:06:00.007-05:00

Hello people... hope the holiday season hasn't eviscerated your wallet completely. It's funny isn't it? We're in the middle of a global economic crisis and the malls are packed with people buying gifts on credit.

Yupp, we live in THIS society.
But enough of my grinch-i-tude....

Some news, I guess... we'll see. You may have noticed the link to a new podcast. Yeah about that, probably around January... yeah... that sounds about right. In all seriousness, it'll be me talking to people about sports, not too fancy. We'll curse... probably a lot. So yeah, that's it... for now.

And to end off... a story I'll likely come back to early in the podcast days.

So not even this douche bag can get people to watch football in sub-zero temperatures, sitting on aluminum seats, in Orchard Park NY... ON CHRISTMAS DAY!!!

I don't want to hear Bills fan the first come crying to me when the team moves to Los Angels because let's friggin face it... if you could move to LA, over Buffalo NY... YOU WOULD TOO!!! It's December people... and they make people sit on aluminum seats... OUTSIDE!!!!

If I don't post till after the holidays, thanks for reading my shit. Have a happy fucking holidays and try not to get arrested.

The New Parody, Same as the Old Boss

2011-12-01T21:51:00.002-05:00

Remember the NBA lockout?!?! Of course you do, at least for another week or two.

So what’s with the sign and trade clause? The mechanism that made it possible for Lebron James to hijack the news cycle for months last year… yeah… THAT clause. Well, in the new collective bargaining agreement teams that are over the cap will not be able to initiate a sign and trade deal after the 2013-2014 season. That’s right; after.

So in other words, super-teams like the one in Miami, can continue to form for another couple of years. After that, the auction is closed and maybe the NBA can initiate an era which the league admits is vital for long term growth… the era of parody.

But 2014 is a long way away and theirs no telling what the talent crop has in store between now and then, so let’s get back to the whole parody thing.

So does the NBA want parody? In the short term, absolutely not. In the long term, probably not.

Wait? Didn’t I just say they did want an era of parody? Wasn’t parody (or the lack thereof) one of the reasons for this whole lockout thing? Well… yeah, but like many issues brought up in the latest work stoppage, parody was all too likely a non-issue in the grand scheme of things.

The reason… well, nobody wants to ruin everyone else’s good time. What I mean by that is history tells us that basketball fans (wither they like to admit or not) enjoy dominant teams. It gives the sport a benchmark for excellence, gives opposing fans someone to cheer against and home fans memories to last them a lifetime. The league itself makes more money when the Lakers or Celtics or Bulls are on a dynasty run and it yields a higher television rating and overall, makes everyone else far more money.

And that’s the point, because for everything the league (or its owners) will tell you about parody and the inability to field a competitive team in this environment; at the end of the day fielding a competitive team costs a lot more money in smaller markets. Why have your own players generate revenue, when the league is packed with stars who (on the same team) can generate far more interest in any particular game. Arenas are filled when the Heat are in town and alternatively are far less filled when the Kings roll in.

Get it yet? For as much as the small markets cry foul, or poor, or whatever… it’s the stars that push the NBA. It’s asking a lot of Minneapolis or Detroit to fill the arenas every night… and with greater revenue sharing, theirs more of an incentive to let Miami, New York or Los Angles do it for them.

Ricky and Rory and Tiger, Oh my

2011-10-24T13:41:00.002-04:00

It certainly was a fantastic sports weekend, n’est pas?

But before I update with a normal blogy blog, let’s get to the news of the day.

EA Sports announced today that Rickie Fowler and Rory McIlroy will join Tiger Woods on the covers of Tiger Woods PGA Tour 13 in North America and Europe. The golfers were voted upon by you, the public during a three week contest hosted on various social media websites.

Fowler garnered 52% of the online vote in the American bracket and McIlroy collected 54% of the vote in the European bracket. The brackets started with sixteen of the best American and European golfers and were narrowed down match-play style, until the cover boys were crowned. Similar polls have been done to decide the cover athletes in the latest Madden and NCAA Football incarnations and the Tiger Woods vote was equally well received with over 250,000 people casting votes on either side of the Atlantic.

Tiger Woods PGA Tour 13 is due out in March of 2012 but the new covers will be released sometime in November.

A little MMA talk on a rainy afternoon

2011-10-19T19:40:00.007-04:00

Hello again people of the internets…

There isn’t all that much going on in the gaming world today, so and so said this, some dude did that. Meh; pretty vanilla if you ask me. I did, however, get quite a bit of responses from people who wanted to chat about my other passion, mixed martial arts. I’ve been a fan of combat sports for the better part of my adult life and have been fortunate enough to live in perhaps the greatest era in the sports history.

Spurned on by yesterdays post about the UFC on Xbox Live, I’ve skimmed through the multitude of questions (thanks to the six of you who tweeted) and the following are some quick thoughts/opinions about the fight scene.

Q: Who do you think is the pound for pound best fighter in the game?
A: This is one of those questions that has more than one right answer and I find that it really depends on what you value in a fighter. Personally, I value well rounded fighter that can take the fight to an opponent, no matter where it goes. For my money, it’s still Anderson Silva versus everyone else. The tipping point for me is the belief that Silva could cleanout more than his own division. The Spider is already the king of the middleweights and should he choose to cut the fifteen pounds to welterweight or gain twenty pounds to light-heavyweight - very few fighters on the planet pose difficulties for Silva, let alone beating him.

Q: Who would win a super-fight between George St. Pierre and Anderson Silva?
A: After reading my first answer it shouldn’t be hard to guess which way I’m going to lean on this one. Let me start by saying GSP is the best welterweight ever, period. He has nothing to prove to anyone. Anderson Silva is (in my opinion) the best mixed martial artist ever with even less to prove than GSP. So what’s the function of a super fight between these two greats? Little is gained and at the end of the day, I mean, why else do you think this fight has never happened? It’s not like one or the other can’t jump divisions. But to answer the question, Silva in the second round, TKO.

Q: What do you attribute all the training injuries lately?
A: The injury issue has been one of the biggest talking points among mixed martial arts fans lately and it’s hard to pinpoint just what’s going on. To me, injuries come part in parcel with the fight game and given this new era of top flight athletes becoming fighters, training injuries will likely be a way of life. Think of it this way… if you own a Ferrari and keep it in the garage, you’ll barely need to service it. If you push the car to its limit everyday, then obviously things are going to go wrong... what are you gonna do?

Q: Who is your favourite up and coming fighter?
A: Love this question because I get to talk about one of my favourite fighters right now. His name is Rory “Ares” MacDonald and if you think George St. Pierre is going to own the welterweight division forever, MacDonald should give you hope that a title change isn’t too far off. The kid has devastating hands, a measured and controlled stand-up game and has tremendous ground skills. MacDonald is 3-1 inside the UFC with his only defeat coming late to perennial contender Carlos Condit at UFC 115. Next up for MacDonald will be Brian Ebersole at UFC 140 in December.

Q: What is your favourite fight of all time?
A: Many of you will point directly to Bonnar v. Griffin and that’s fair. It was a great fight that cemented The Ultimate Fighter as more than just a reality side-show and launched the careers of both men. But for me, the best fight of all time took place November 9th 2003 in Tokyo, Japan at Pride:Final Conflict between Mirko “Cro Cop” Filipovic and Antonio Rodrigo “Minotauro” Nogueira.

Cro Cop was a beast and coming into the fight, was undefeated in Pride. Nogueira, who had lost the title earlier in the year to Fedor Emelianenko, dealt with questions on his future. Stylistically the fighters couldn’t have been more different. Filipovic was a proven kick boxing champion and Nogueira, one of the best Brazilian Ju-Jitsu practitioners.

In the ten minute first round, Cro Cop dominated with his kick boxing had Nogueira not been saved by the bell after a head kick, history would likely be very different. In the second round, an increasingly fatigued Cro Cop was taken down where Nogueira utilized his superior ju-jitsu and slipped the arm bar on during a scramble for position. Filipovic submitted and history was made.

Two heavyweights, with such different skill sets, both at the top of their game and in front of thousands of screaming fans in the Tokyo Dome… WOW… I get jacked just thinking about it.

Got a question/comment about sports, gaming, mma… hit me up on twitter.

UFC on XBox Live Deets

2011-10-18T19:38:00.004-04:00

Hello peeps. By now you've all heard about the addition of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) to XBox Live come December 1st.

Some of you had some questions (especially my Canadian friends) so I did some extra digging and it appears to be good news for Canada... and the US... I suppose.

As stated, UFC content will be available December 1st on both sides of the border. Ten days later (Dec 10) the UFC will stream UFC 140 Jones v. Machida live. A nominal fee (of course) will be applied to your credit card depending on if you'd like to stream in standard definition (420p) or in glorious high definition (720p). It's unknown as of yet if the service will stream the preliminary fights that are formally aired on free tv before a pay per view. It's also unclear how long events will stay available for later streaming.

UFC on Live will also boast an interesting new feature unavailable to the normals ordering PPV's on their PVR. It's called Interactive Fight Card which sort of tells you what it's all about, but for those slow in the brain here's how it works. During the fight, you'll be able to bring up fight information and stats all while watching the fight in a smaller window. Users will be able to make predictions on fights and compare their prognostication skills with those of their blood thirsty friends. And don't worry; you'll be able to cycle through interactive and regular mode on the fly, so theirs no missing the Jones uppercut or Machida front kick. The option can also be controlled using Kinect, if that's the way you roll.

I'm a pretty big MMA fan so I'm super pumped to see a major sports entity come together with Microsoft to deliver a truly unique experience. And considering regional restrictions when it comes to ESPN3 on Xbox, direct delivery from sports leagues could expand the marketing reach with increased eyes watching the product from different regions.

But that's my take, let me know what you think. Hit up the comments section or me directly @Nic_Gouveia on Twitter.

Boy meets game... Boy ignores everything else...

2011-10-13T22:47:00.001-04:00

A-hoy hoy...

I know I've been fairly scattered with the updates, but with this...

And this...

Can you blame me for my complacency? Of course not.

Anyhoozle...

Have you seen this yet? I'm still waiting for some emails to confirm which regions will get UFC on Live and will post a nice clean write up, fresh for back linking.

By the by... Big thanks to the tweeps linking me up, it's always appreciated and if you want to exchange Xbox Live handles, drop me a tweet. I'm up weird hours so night owls will likely have the best luck. Love chatting' bout the gaming scene while you smoke me at Madden. Takes the sting out and what nots.

I'll post more soon and more often... I just need to plow through the behemoth known as the month of October.

- N

What’s on the Go...

2011-10-05T05:03:00.008-04:00

Let’s see here, Sunday was an even numbered day so…

Deadspin.com scooped a video of a father and son joined “celebrating” their illogical love for the Dallas Cowboys and equally illogical hate for Tony Romo. Bad news Cowboys fans, next game is in Foxborough… on the evenly numbered 16th of October.

---

On Sept 29th, the Rays were all like…

Five days later the Rays were all like…

The lesson? Sometimes you beat Boston… and sometimes Boston beats themselves and you end up getting molly-whopped by the Rangers.

---

Yeah sure… we’re totally playing basketball this year…

Mr. Stern, you’ve just cancelled the remainder of pre-season and there is fear the entire regular season will be cancelled, any comments to the fans?

“I just saved a bundle on car insurance from switching to Geico.”

---

“… and in conclusion these video summaries will provide the players with insight as to what is acceptable and what is not.”

2010-2011 - 1 preseason suspension (throat slashing gesture)
2011-2012 - 9 preseason suspensions

Message sent, huh Brendo?

A Quick Spin around the EA Sports Bin

2011-10-05T03:12:00.003-04:00

It’s been a while, so let’s do this rapid fire style…

Madden 12
A familiar look and feel to last years iteration. The beefed up defensive AI is a huge plus that makes playing games (especially online) far more realistic. Momentum shifts are more apparent and the improved collision engine and presentation looks and feels more authentic. On the negative side, Madden 12 boasts an updated Superstar mode that features nary a significant improvement. Rating progression is unrealistic and in attempts with both newly created and imported “Road to Glory” players, I achieved a 99 rating within the first season. Overall, Madden 12 will quench your football thirst as far as online and franchise modes are concerned. If you’re a megalomaniac who sticks with Superstar mode, you’re shit outta luck.

NHL 12
The best just keeps getting better, well sort of. The new collision animations are impressive-ish. Don’t get me wrong, flipping Alex Ovechkin into his own bench or into the stanchion is rewarding, but hip check animations are used far too often and ruins what’s otherwise a pretty solid improvement. NHL 12 feel more realistic as the game takes into account players’ physical size and skill attributes more so than in past years. The AI in “Be a GM” mode is much improved valuing youth and potential more so than just overall rating. “Be a Pro” mode also boasts a more robust minor hockey experience as you progress to the pros along with new coaches tasks which convey the importance of certain situations. The online experience features few changes but when you roll out one of the best sports games in the genre, why mess with a good thing?

Meanwhile in an EA Sports Boardroom…

2011-07-26T19:04:00.003-04:00

It would seem the support of college football (and their utter refusal to pay the players) has not waivered… at least not in the video game realm.

On the heels of better than expected sales for Tiger Woods 12: The Masters, Electronic Arts announced today that NCAA Football 12 is enjoying series best sales in the first two weeks of release.

Citing the period between July 12th-26th, EA has sold approximately 700,000 units since launch. That’s a 17 percent increase over last year. What recession, right?!?!

Other interesting NCAA Football 12 tidbits include over 870,000 online games played so far, 50,000 dynasties created and over 1 million custom teams have been built on the games TeamBuilder companion website.

Are You Ready For Some Football?!?!?!

2011-07-25T21:56:00.002-04:00

Now that the billionaires and millionaires have sorted out there differences, it’s time to start salivating over the next incarnation of EA Sports’ monster Madden 12.

But it wouldn’t be a Madden preview if I didn’t preface it with this annual tradition…

There aren’t any major gameplay updates in this years Madden… so don’t ask.

I’ll try to pretend you’re shocked but now we have that out of the way, let’s talk about what has changed starting with collisions and how they’ll look this year.

Hardcore Madden-ites will tell you, one of the biggest pet peeves in the collision engine is a little something called suction. That’s when on-field players seem to meld into each other on collisions and blocking. This year however, a brand new collision engine has been introduced featuring over 100 new tackle animations, including 40 gang tackles. The engine also uses player momentum and the animation itself only starts at the point of impact. Early reviews are favourable on the new engine and tackles look a lot cleaner.

EA is also touting an improved defensive AI but since we hear that every year, let’s just gloss over that. Custom playbooks also make their return in Madden 12 but considering this feature has failed in past games, I’ll just include it this section loosely titled “EA Sports Truth-i-ness”.

Every year Madden’s in game presentation usually gets a tweak and this year is no different. EA used real NFL Films cameramen and motion captured their movements along with steady cam shots to create a more realistic on-field presentation. Tack that on to some improved camera positions and the dulcet tones of Gus Johnson’s play-by-play and Madden 12 continues to set the bar on sports game presentations.

Franchise mode will get a shot of realism too as this years game features enhancements such as expanded rosters, an all-new rookie scouting system and a free-agent bidding system which will no doubt prevent the Buffalo Bills from ever building a winning squad, virtually or otherwise.

Superstar mode features a few small changes including a new progression system. Without going into a several page diatribe I’ll simply say this… until Superstar mode features off field activities (you know, like the ones you’d get fined for in real life) this game mode is only half of what it really could be.

Onward… Madden Ultimate Team, Madden’s card based fantasy game is back this year with a few tweaks including the much anticipated trade feature. I’d be foolish to think that this could one day replace trading cards, but it is a ton of fun and now that you can trade cards, my little brother better hold onto Walter Payton because I’m coming for you sweetness!

The online experience hasn’t changed too much this year with the exception of communities. The feature is as it sounds; you can create communities and invite your friends making it easier to sort stats outside of the traditional leaderboard. This will help you spot the weakest Madden player of your inner circle and will increase the amount of time you’ll have to rip into that pathetic loser and his pension for play action passes.

So that’s the skinny, I’ll hit you up with a post-game in August-September so until then… enjoy NCAA Football 12 and THANK GOD FOOTBALL’S BACK!!!

Post Game: MLB2K11 (and a little MLB 11:The Show)

2011-06-30T13:30:00.005-04:00

Be honest, how many of you actually care about baseball until after June? I don’t blame you; early season baseball usually musters no more than a no-no or two in the first few months while the NBA and NHL put on playoff spectacles. But now that the Mavs and B’s have been crowned, it’s time to dust off the ol’ baseball title and get to getting.

Sony’s MLB: The Show is the reigning king of the diamond. SCEA San Diego has outdone themselves with stunning visuals and performance tweaks that satisfy the most diehard virtual slugger. The only problem with The Show is the fact it’s played on a PS3. Hold your emails and tweets fanboys… for the record, I’ve got nothing but love for the Playstation thrice… my wallet on the other hand, does not.

That leaves me with MLB2K11, Xbox’s lone baseball game entry.

2K11 picks up where 2K10 leaves off, quite literally. The game engine looks and plays very much like last year’s version. Glitches have been fixed, controls have stayed the same and player models and animations are better, but that could have been supplied by a simple game patch.

2K11 ditched the full screen menu for a cleaner list style menu, which admittedly is of little consequence, but again falls in line with what must have been the developer (Visual Concepts) mantra of making the same game, only slightly better.

2K touted improvements in the ‘My Player’ mode, to which I have one question; can I sue 2K for lying to us?

And in all honesty, I often wonder why this isn’t just remade into ‘my pitcher’ mode, since that’s really the only position that lends itself to a solid amount of playing time. And unlike EA’s NHL 11, you still cannot watch your teammates from the bench when not on the field. Sure, some players would skip over this but wouldn’t the option make for a more realistic experience? Not to mention a lack of any media or “extra-curricular” activities leaves you wondering why the mode even exists if they intend to deliver a half-assed experience. Not a ton has changed in ‘Franchise’ mode either, unless you get your thrills by dealing with a third basemen’s bum knee.

I could waste time lambasting the out of touch human (I’m assuming) who selected the soundtrack, or the constantly repeating play-by-play but fuck that! I’m just going to say MLB2K11 is your only Xbox option for baseball and it would appear 2K is very aware of that fact. Expect much the same, until somebody… ANYBODY steps up to the plate with some competition. How very EA of 2K, no?

On Valanciunas and the Backlash

2011-06-28T10:26:00.001-04:00

Here's a little something for my Toronto people...

Have you noticed that any conversation surrounding the Raptors 2011 first round pink Jonas Valanciunas always begins with, “I can understand the fans frustrations, but…”?

I wonder if those people have a grove in their ass to facilitate all of that fence sitting.

Jonas Valanciunas’ reputation may not precede him but that’s not entirely his fault. Even the most successful of European players rarely garner any respect coming out of club teams back home. The Lithuanian centre is a well groomed prospect and has drawn comparisons to a young Pau Gasol. Valanciunas’ Euro-League numbers (15 ppg-5 rpg) don’t appear masterful, but when you consider the nineteen year old competes against men (men who just happen to be former NBA/NCAA players) competition is a lot tougher, or at least tougher than games against mid-major Sun Belt schools.

So maybe (in this years draft class) Valanciunas was picked right around the spot scouts had him at. So who am I to argue with that?

OK; so what’s with the precursor of context… you know… the whole fan frustration thing.

Above all else, a basketball team is a business. In prosperity or failure, every team must sell something or more accurately stand for something. The moans and groans from Raptors-Nation on draft day may have been a condemnation of what the team stands for, rather than whom.

Calderon has become an unmitigated failure as a starting point guard and his nearly ten million dollar contract has him on the shortlist for the all-overpaid-team. We’ve likely seen the best of Andrea Bargnani and now the future of the franchise rests on a player who is likely a year or two away from playing in the NBA.

So again, what do the Raptors stand for? Why should you (or I) spend good money on whatever it is the Raptors trout out next year?

Before you send your hateful (theirs going to be a lockout) email let’s assume we’ll be back next year. (I know, I know)

Maybe a sorry team is exactly what the Raptors are looking for, it would make more sense, no? The ownership group (MLSE), can easily afford a down year at the gate and with one prospect in Europe and a perceived improvement in next years draft class, maybe general manager Bryan Colangelo feels another year of toiling at the bottom of the standings could yield the team a difference maker in next years draft. Maybe the fans will come back once the team is relevant again. Maybe the pain now will produce joy later. Or maybe we’ve all seen this song and dance before and struggle to find any evidence for why it will work this time.

In sports you either sell success or hope. Success is easy to sell, hope has a shelf life and in Toronto, the fans have reached their expiration date.

Weekend chill...

2011-06-11T13:53:00.001-04:00

Shit, it's cold out there! Guess, I've become accustom to the sub-tropic weather that now accompanies summer in the tizzle-dottle. Still haven't shaken the work week but I suppose that's what Sunday night is for... Foxtrot-Mike-Lima!

Am I the only one with mad can't-wait-ism after seeing all the goodies at E3 and realizing we're months away from much of the good shtuff?

Solution...

Yeah, that'll do it. If yer bored much, ya know the twitters over there somewhere...

Same Name… More Pwn

2011-06-08T21:42:00.001-04:00

Hello to the seven readers out there. In the words of Dr. Evil, this one’s a little personal.

For a while, I’ve been blogging about sports and it’s been a blast. I’ve loved sharing my ideas and hearing yours. Our interactions have been fantastic and I hope you’ve enjoyed it as much as I have. The thing is; my day job requires me to work rotating shifts and I just can’t keep up with the speed of the sports world.

So what now? Well, hopefully something better.

All of my life, or at least since the Atari 2600, I’ve been a gamer. The first three games my parents bought were Pac-Man, Combat and Summer Games. I was raised a sports gamer and as games come and go, I’ve played most of them… well sports related anyway. That’s where I’m taking this blog, as a look inside the sports gaming world and a peak into my gaming life.

In the coming days I’m going to make a few minor changes, just in case you’re wondering. I’m sorry , in advanced, if your RSS feed catches the updates.

Hope you enjoy reading and remember to check me out on Twitter @Nic_Gouveia and subscribe to the RSS feed.

Odds and Ends

2011-06-02T06:38:00.003-04:00

Well Miami was certainly dominant in game one weren’t they? And when you consider they figured out Dallas’ zone (in about five minutes) and the big three weren’t exactly wowing us, this could spell bad news for the Mavs and the billions of you who still hate on Lebron James.

You don’t HAVE to like Lebron James, but what he’s doing is special and maybe it’s time for you to shut up and enjoy some damn basketball. Believe me, we won’t get any more for a very, very long time.

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The Canucks find a way to beat Boston late, very late. And before Robson Street gets too crazy riddle me this Nucks fans. Are you more worried about Hanks 39% from the faceoff circle or that he had zero shots on goal in game one?

The game one winner usually takes the series, but a team as good as the Canucks should play to their strengths, not their opponents.

Great story in The Star about a die-hard Nucks family who live in New Brunswick and made their way cross country to see their beloved team in the Stanley Cup. Worth a read.

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I’d love to give you my thoughts on the Jays, but with the way things move in the East… let’s give it a few more weeks. It’s baseball, we’ve got time.

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Adrian Cann tears his ACL in practice and is out for the season. Toronto FC fans, your worst case scenario is in full effect.

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Got some family stuff on the go, but I’m going to try and update more often. The seven of you or so seem to care. Thanks.

- NG

The Hunt Begins... Again

2011-06-02T05:41:00.002-04:00

Goodbye Jay, wish I could say ‘it was nice’ but… well… you were there.

And the Raptors are back in that very familiar feeling of looking for a new head coach. Scratch that, looking for a new coaching staff as all of the assistants (except P.J. Carlisemo) will be contract-less come July 1st.

Unexpected? Not really.

Now that the benevolent leaders at MLSE have renewed GM Bryan Colangelo for two more years, it was expected Bryan would do something drastic, it’s not like he can get rid of all the players… yet.

Regardless of how you felt about Jay, he’s a well respected coach (not just in Canada) and as part of Team USA’s coaching staff, he’s doing what most can’t, cozy up to the best players in the game. Given his passion for coaching, it won’t be long till he’s back in the big chair coaching again.

So what now?

That’s tough to say. I mean, obviously Colangelo has some vacancies to fill but beyond that, is the removal of Triano the move or just the tip of the iceberg? Is Bargnani being shopped? Who will they draft under this new regime? Who is willing to sign in Toronto?

Suppose theirs more questions than answers but after a 22-60 record, that’s about par for the course.

Low Five...

2011-05-19T12:35:00.001-04:00

Another gloomy day in Toronto, fitting.

First let me say Nick Gilbert, son of Cleveland Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert, continues to fight bravely against neurofibromatosis and epitomizes the strength seldom found in a fourteen year old. I hope that better treatments usher in a bright future for Nick. And to everyone fighting disease, stay strong and know we’re all behind you.

It’s not that I’m against young Nick representing the Cavs at the draft lottery but considering his Dad’s exploits over the last twelve months, could you blame me for being a tad suspicious?

Anyhoozle…

The Raptors fell a couple spots to the 5th pick overall in this years NBA draft…

So why the long face?

Truth is, the Raps needed pick one or two to get an immediate impact guy and falling to five isn’t much different than staying at three. I swear I’m not trying to sound confusing.

Bryan Colangelo smiled and nodded when the Raptors were called out as the fifth pick.

Strange. Um, a little… but I wouldn’t read anything into it. It was mere hours after Colangelo signed an extension with the club and he could’ve been thinking about a new Mercedes. And let’s end the stupid, and I mean stupid talk about trading the fifth pick. Why so stupid? Simple, we’re two months away from a lockout in the NBA. Uncertainty about what the future holds or when that future will begin; will loom over draft day as it did with the NFL a few weeks back. With the exception of trading picks for other/future picks, don’t expect a ton of noise.

I posted my draft preview last week and it’s my lean that one of the six guys I previewed should be a Raptor next year. Who? Don’t know, depends on whom they like coming out of workouts and if they’re still on the board at five. If all shapes out as I think it will, expect either Knight or Walker to be selected. But of course I could be wrong.

In other news… it’s still raining in Toronto…

Got tweeted a question why I don’t talk about the NHL playoffs. My answer… wake me when something happens. Although, if the Canucks keep this up... YIKES!!!!

Check you later tweeples.

A Little Bit of Everything From the Weekend...

2011-05-16T13:04:00.007-04:00

A hardy handshake and a job well done to Bob Watson, goaltender of the Toronto Rock. Watson capped off a storied fifteen year career with a solid performance in the final game of the National Lacrosse League Championship, leading Toronto to an 8-7 victory over the Washington Stealth.

This may be the last time I talk Lacrosse though. It’s not that I don’t like it but after only drawing 14,488 for the league final, it would appear that you don’t.

Onward…

Jays had a solid weekend with a sweep over the Twinkies in Minnesota. It’s interesting how quickly the baseball world has accepted the Cleveland Indians as legitimate contenders and yet Jose Bautista get’s more suspicion than praise. I suppose thus is the world we live in.

I’ll spare you the trade rumours that seem to perpetually swirl around the Toronto Maple Leafs at this time of year, heck; we have the rest of the summer to do that. What does raise a spock-ian eyebrow is the amount of rumours that involve a player currently entrenched in a long contract. On multiple occasions, Leafs president and general manager Brian Burke has stated he doesn’t sign players to long term deals favouring cap flexibility above all else. So either Burke has shifted gears, or most of these rumours are based on sheer speculation.

Another rough weekend for the Reds as they blew a lead 2-0 lead with about fifteen on the clock and settle for a draw against to the Chicago Fire. Although it’s tough for faithful Reds fans to swallow, TFC are a rebuilding team. The bad; more losses and draws than victories. The good; young blood like Plata, Cordon Jr. and Eckersley will get real minutes and hopefully accelerate the process, even if that move is marginal.

Tuesday marks the beginning of NBA draft season with the lottery. About thirty hours from now we’ll know if Raptor fans will be doing their happy dance or cursing a system that provides so much opportunity for heartbreak.

It's going to rain for about a week here in Toronto this week, hopefully not a sign of things to come. Stay dry people.

… And Justice for All

2011-05-11T13:05:00.000-04:00

New York Rangers winger Sean Avery has been called just about every name in the book during his nearly ten year career in hockey, but it’s his recent role as ‘activist’ for the gay marriage movement in New York that’s garnered some backlash from others around the hockey community.

In case you didn’t hear, Avery recently took part in a commercial campaign for ‘New Yorkers for Marriage Equality’. The T.V. ad in question has Avery stating...

"I'm Sean Avery and I'm a New Yorker for Marriage Equality. I treat everyone the way I expect to be treated and that applies to marriage." - Sean Avery

In the world of sports, where issues of homosexuality are readily swept under the rug, it’s an uplifting sign to see an athlete, albeit a controversial one, speak out for gay rights. It’s an act rarely duplicated among Avery’s peers and for a day or so, the hockey world could quietly whisper “see… we like the gays.”

Of course it didn’t take long for Avery’s commercial and beliefs to come under attack and it’s not surprising that it comes from an unsolicited source.

Todd Reynolds, a player agent and vice-president of Uptown Sports Management decided to tweet his opinions on the matter saying

“Very sad to read Sean Avery's misguided support of same-gender 'marriage.' Legal or not, it will always be wrong.” Todd Reynolds

Obviously Reynolds began feeling the Twitter backlash to such an inflammatory comment and later tweeted “To clarify. This is not hatred or bigotry towards gays. It is not intolerance in any way shape or form. I believe we are all equal… But I believe in the sanctity of marriage between one man and one woman. This is my personal viewpoint. I do not hate anyone.”

It’s the usual song and dance from people who reiterate they’re intolerance seconds after denouncing it; in and of itself, a clear indication of intolerance but considering Mr. Reynolds parlayed his comments into a radio interview, defending his right to an opinion perhaps it’s time to share mine.

Todd Reynolds… Fuck You!

Perhaps that’s a tad rudimentary and Mr. Reynolds does have a B.Sc. (although his major is never listed, his lacklustre goaltending career has many references) perhaps I should give him some credit and explain, as succinctly as possible, just why he should go somewhere and fuck off.

Reynolds starts off with a light backhand in calling Avery’s viewpoint misguided implying his opinions are wrong and Reynolds pious. In a subsequent tweet Reynolds then rationalizes that not allowing gays to marry isn’t so much bigotry but the protection of the “sanctity of marriage.” In doing this, Reynolds disregards many millennia of history and the actual definition of bigotry. It would appear Reynolds subscribes to the judeo-christian concept in which a man shall only marry a woman. And although the sanctity of christian marriage is already protected within the religion, Reynolds feels it necessary for society to adopt the judeo-christian definition of marriage and disregard the fact that those actions are the clear definition of being a bigot.

While I cannot say that Reynolds hates gays, I can say that his tweets show an acceptance of treating people differently, of creating separate sets of rules for those who believe differently than he does. And although this story will die in a matter of days and we’ll all move on from this one man’s intolerant message, the fact remains that discrimination is alive and well in society and to turn a blind eye to that, to not continue the discussion, only perpetuates and intensifies the problem… no matter who is being discriminated against.

The Precursor

2011-05-06T19:22:00.003-04:00

It wasn’t until I started working downtown that I began making friends with people who had no interest in professional sports. They’re a funny lot and oddly enough, some are my best friends. And while most sports fans huddle around a beer and wax poetic about events and stats, my non-sports friends (for lack of a better term) tend to talk about… you know… shit that matters.

That’s not to say sports fans don’t have an opinion on the topics of the day, it’s just different with the non-sports fan. They tend to look for the greater meaning in a story. The change of pace (and discussion) helps me gain a little perspective and often makes me see issues, especially in sports, with a bit of a critical eye.

Its days like these where I should thank them all… because their grounding influence gives me the strength to deal with shit like this.

Raptors 2011 Draft Preview

2011-05-05T20:21:00.018-04:00

Although the brass at Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment have yet to announce a decision regarding the future of President and General Manager Bryan Colangelo, that shouldn’t stop Raptor fans from taking a peer into the crystal ball of what the future could look like for their beleaguered club in the off season.

Granted, few can predict what the free agent landscape will look like after the NBA and its players resolve a new collective bargaining agreement, but that shouldn’t stop us from debating meaningless and largely uneducated scouting reports.

Let’s start by reiterating that the Raptors can pick no lower than sixth and no higher than first. Also, I’ve decided to sort these guys in order of likelihood to be available at the number three draft spot (where the Raps finished the regular season) and work my way towards the less likely to be drafted prospects.

Enes Kanter
Power Forward - Turkey
H:6-10 W:255lbs

The Swiss born, Turkish national is touted as the best big body available and if draft history is any indicator, shouldn’t drop any further than third or forth pick. (Everyone’s looking for the next BIG thing) Kanter’s skill set has been making scouts drool with a solid post game, good shooting range and energy on the glass. He can run the floor on transition or park his caboose under the basket and give out, as well as take the punishment. Said to be a student of the game, many have raved that Kanter’s basketball IQ far exceeds his age.

So with comparisons to crafty bigs like Andrew Bogut and Al Horford, what’s not to like about Enes Kanter. Well for starters, a serious lack of experience. Kanter was headed to Kentucky this season before being deemed ineligible which kept him out in the cold during the 10-11 season. Kanter has a history of knee issues and combo that with a lack of foot speed and the big turk goes from highly touted prospect to potential disaster.

Jan Vesely
Power Forward - Czech Rep. - Partizan Belgrade
H:6-11 W:230lbs

Sometimes it’s nice to see nature repeating itself. What do I mean? Well, it would appear Hedo Turkoglu is nearing the end of his tenure in the NBA and it doesn’t look like we’ll have to wait long for his replacement. Vesely is long, athletic and a great shooter. Even though he’s a 3-4 tweener, Vesely is still a matchup problem on the offensive end of the floor. He started his Euroleague season off slow, but really picked it up in “top16” play where he averaged 14 and 5 shooting for 67% and averaging 30 minutes during that stretch.

Much like most euro big men all that offensive talent comes at a price on the defensive end of the floor. Vesely is not known for his defensive intensity and has problems guarding athletic forwards as well covering the perimeter. For an older prospect (21) doesn’t show the maturity of playing big time ball in Europe. Speed is an issue as is a terrible free throw percentage. Considering his affinity to run in the open floor, he’ll take a lot of hacks from teams knowing he’ll likely only make one of two on the backend.

Kemba Walker
Point Guard - UConn
H:6-1 W:172lbs

If you didn’t know about UConn’s prized point guard before March Madness, you know about him now. Walker is a college star and although that doesn’t always translate to professional success, Kemba sure gives a lot of reasons not to doubt him. Speed, scoring and a much improved jumper makes Walker an unstoppable offensive force. His fearlessness in late game situations is evident and he is a born leader.

So what’s holding Walker back from being a top three pick? Well, the same reasons most guys aren’t top three picks, defence and size. Walker is listed at 6-1 but it’s believed he’s closer to 5-10. Good for the comparisons to Penny and Iverson but Walker’s lack of size will almost definitely affect his defensive effectiveness. Kemba is the perfect player to rise up the ranks during the combine (think Steph Curry) but unless the Raps pick fifth or sixth, it’s not likely Walker is taking his talents to Bay Street.

Brandon Knight
Point Guard - Kentucky
H:6-4 W:185

Another player who most of you didn’t know before March, Knight is the prototypical point guard prospect. He has size, speed and a fantastic first step. Knight can make his own shot and that’s something few prospects can say. A great shooter and a born pro, Knight is known to spend the extra time on his game that others don’t and that should appeal him to his future (older) teammates.

Although a solid passer, Knight is drive first - pass second. Most of his scoring comes off the dribble-drive and in the NBA those opportunities will be fewer and far between. Knight will have to address a lack of size for his 6-4 frame and may take a few years to develop into a point that you can trust to run the floor.

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So those are the likely names you’ll see between picks three and six, but let’s dream big Toronto. What if the Raps move up to the first or second pick? Well I’m pretty sure it won’t be a question of whom, just when… so in no particular order…

Derrick Williams
Small Forward - Arizona
H:6-8 W:240lbs

Williams led the rebuild of the Arizona basketball program and will likely be the linchpin of an NBA rebuild with his skill, speed and intelligence. Williams has a seven foot wingspan and is very good with his back to the basket. A solid scorer, Williams picks his spots and is no “Jack em’ Joe” boasting excellent shooting percentages. His speed around the basket nets him the rebounds others would gain with brute force and makes for an intriguing matchup as he can turn it up court in transition against slower forwards.

It’s hard to pick apart Williams game without being overly critical. Is he the next coming of Lebron James? Of course not, but most of his faults (i.e. passing and court vision) can be addressed with the coaching and a little experience and Williams will get loads of each next year.

Kyrie Irving
Point Guard - Duke
H:6-2 W:180lbs

Between you, me and the world; I don’t think there’s a better player in this years draft than Kyrie Irving… he’s the total package at the point. Irving’s got all the prerequisites to be a great professional with a great first step, speed, vision, handles, proficient on defence and can create his own shot just as well as facilitate for his teammates. Irving can shoot from anywhere on the court and has very good form on his jumper. Fading this guy to either side of the basket isn’t going to work much as Irving can easily go to his left or right and finishes well at the basket. Simply put… this kid could be special.

Not much you can say about Irving on the negative. Most point to Kyrie’s inexperience and although he didn’t play much in his only season at Duke (turf toe limited him to 11 games) you can quash all that talk. Irving played a considerable role with the American under 18 national team that won gold in the FIBA Americas U18 Championship and when you tack that on with his usually impressive performances in exhibition games (see his 2010 Jordan Classic tape) Irving should make fools of those who doubt him.

Inside My Dark Foo Heart

2011-04-14T05:32:00.009-04:00

Hello fellow fighters of Foo. Being that it’s Foo Fighters week and I’m the resident expert on all things Foo (fighting or otherwise) I was asked to put something together to commemorate the occasion. And seeing as we’re talking about my favourite band in the entire universe, I thought I’d get a little personal and share a few short stories about how the Foo Fighters unlocked my interest in music and became the soundtrack of my life.

Hope you enjoy and as always, feel free to leave comments and let us know the band, show or music experience that’s shaped your life.

- The First Listen -

As any good story should start, it all began with a phone call one summer’s morning. I answered in the usual monosyllabic grunt that greets most who call so shortly after I’d been separated from dreams of Sears catalogue models.

“Wake up fag!” blared from the receiver, the obligatory greeting from my friend Matt.

“PJ is back from camping so get your ass over here; we’ve been waiting a whole week for this!” PJ, another of our tiny crew, had one of those ‘let’s go fuck outside’ sort of girlfriends and given the lack of privacy when you’re sixteen, he went on camping trips… a lot.

The “this” in question was a tiny bag of weed Matt had been saving from a party earlier in the week. “Today’s the day you get fucking high!” Matt exclaimed. Matt was the only one of us that had ever smoked and after buying his first bag, was eager to pop the marijuana cherries of his best mates. “My folks leave for the cottage in an hour; we spark this as soon as the car pulls out!” Matt explained. I ended our conversation, got dressed and started on my way to embark on my first real rite of passage.

After arriving at Matt’s house and wishing his folks a safe trip, Matt, PJ and I retired to the basement for some tunes and a little ‘Mary Jane’. As we began passing the messily wrapped joint around, taking hits and coughing intensely, an album caught my eye lying on the floor next to the stereo. The cover art featured an old toy gun with simple black text stating ‘Foo Fighters’. “What’s this?” I said holding up the CD cover. “Oh, that’s that new band with the drummer from Nirvana.” Matt replied as he reached down for his stereo remote to engage the CD in question.

It could have been the plumes of THC laced smoke billowing from the basement, but the music pumping from Matt’s stereo began to speak to me. Not in the literal sense, or in the (I’m too fucking high) sense but in that way where every note, every bar of music seemed to fit the tumbler unlocking the part of the brain that doesn’t just appreciate music, but loves it.

We must have sounded like immature music snobs, fiercely disseminating each and every track. Trying to figure out which song was for Kurt, or which one was written by him. What we didn’t realize is that we were taking part in something bigger, the ritual that separates people who hear music and those who listen to it. The scene of teenagers getting high, ignoring authority and just listening to a message they understand was repeating itself and as it did with Cream or Zeppelin in the past, the moment was mine and the band was the Foo Fighters.

- The First Show -

As Chris and I walked through the doors of Arrow Hall and the mass of concertgoers became apparent, I inhaled and took that final gulp. The kind of gulp you take just before going into battle, the ‘what did I get myself into’ gulp.

The usual collection of t-shirt and poster vendors flanked our position at the tail end of the crowd while on stage ‘Treble Charger’ was taking their final bow after their usually raucous set.

We met up with my classmates Ryan and Dorothy and the four of us directed our attention to ‘Talk Show’ (a brief incarnation of the non-singing members of Stone Temple Pilots and Dave Coutts of “Ten Inch Men”) who had just taken the stage. “Do you guys want to head into the pit?” I asked. We stopped and all looked back towards the noise from the stage. “Nah, let’s just wait here until the Foo Fighters hit the stage.” Dorothy exclaimed. She was right of course, after all, it was Foo Fest.

‘Talk Show’ finished their set (not soon enough for most) and we made our way into the mass of people. Finding a line slithering through the mosh pit, we followed until about ten rows from the stage where the caravan stopped. A few more minutes of idle chatter ensued until all conversation broke with the roar of the crowd welcoming the headliners to the stage.

The long haired silhouette of Dave Grohl walked to centre-stage and as pick met string the familiar intro of “This is a Call” reverberated throughout the hall and kicked off a night to remember.

It was as if they plucked the set-list from my mind. The end of ‘This is a Call’ lead seamlessly into the driving drum intro to ‘Hey, Johnny Park’ and the medley completed with ‘Alone + Easy Target’. After a string of new material from ‘Colour and the Shape’ the main set ended appropriately with ‘New Way Home’.

By now, we were all sorts of sweaty mess. My calves were on fire from the near endless bouncing inside the pit as stories of bumps and bruises were being exchanged among our group. Without warning a crash of symbols and a driving baseline filled the hall. ‘My Hero’ kicked off a brief encore with ‘I’ll Stick Around’ closing the gig out and sending us home satisfied.

Looking back on everything that night, I never imagined this would be the last time I’d hear ‘New Way Home’ or ‘I’ll Stick Around’ live. It never occurred to me that this show was the genesis of my musical adventures with Chris. And I certainly never thought this show would lead to my first serious relationship with a girl, but as the house lights rose that night I did realize one thing… I am never missing this band again.

The Five Worst Albums of 2010

2010-12-17T05:58:00.000-05:00

We’re living in dark times brothers and sisters. Sucker-ific attitudes are prevalent in music and it seems to be getting worse every year. Kids are less creative now than at any time in modern history and could you blame them? There’s a virtual cornucopia of terrible music to inspire future generations to reach the easily attainable and dare them to dream the small dream. But don’t worry, when your children usher in a society resembling Mad Max times, you’ll be long dead… likely at their hands.

As a public service, I’ve gone through the dumpster and yanked out the worst of the worst. Let this be a lesson to you, allow your kids to listen to this crap and you’re assured of the future I outlined above. You’re welcome!!!

The Black Keys “Brothers”
Take the White Stripes, remove a penis, get the drummer some lessons and recruit a falsetto singer who has no qualms ripping off old blues tunes. Ladies and gents… the Black Keys. If forming the same year as the release of “White Blood Cells” wasn’t enough to prove this formula is being copied, the Black Keys are nominated for two Grammy awards… what more do you need to know. Give “Brothers” a good front to back listen and tell me I’m wrong.
Drake “Thank Me Later”
Hopefully we’ll all thank Drake someday for releasing this radio friendly piece of diarrhea, which in a normal dimension, would surely mark the genesis of the fall of terrestrial radio. If you like to spend time listening to how horrible it is to be rich and famous while trying to find a “nice” girl, Drake has something for you to swallow.

Vampire Weekend “Contra”

The college radio darlings seemed poised to burst into the mainstream with the release of ‘Contra’ and yet continue to remain on the periphery. It’s fairly unusual for an album to peak at number one on Billboards album chart and have ZERO tracks crack the singles chart… unless you consider 102nd cracking the list… I don’t. My theory on this anomaly is two fold. One is the Twi-hard fad we’re currently living through and two people remember Paul Simon.

M.I.A. “Maya”

This one hurts my heart. I really like M.I.A. and the video for the track “Born Free” is one of the best music videos of all time. The only downside is that much like “Born Free” the songs on the album are over-produced, faux political anthems set to pedestrian beats. The album sounds like it was banged out in a day or two by studio interns which comes off as an insult considering this is the first M.I.A. studio release in three years.

Kid Rock “Born Free”

I wonder how fast it took Bob Seger to call his lawyer after hearing Kid Rock’s first country album. What am I thinking… no one listens to Kid Rock and that’s why he’s releasing a country album. Country music sells better than just about any other genre out there and don’t think for a second that Robert Ritchie hasn’t figured that out. Double the sales if you use patriotism as a clever euphemism for discrimination against countries that start with ‘Ir’ or and with “stan”.

Join in on the conversation at Off The Dial

Reds to tap Klinsmann

2010-11-02T12:04:00.003-04:00

You've got to hand it to MLSE, when the opportunity arises, the company has no issues finding the best talent available. This time the shot in the arm comes via the soccer side of the operation as The Globe and Mail reported Friday that Toronto FC appear close to signing German soccer legend Jürgen Klinsmann to a contract that would see the former Bayern Munich coach join the club on a consulting basis.

Soccer fans of a certain... let's say... vintage remember quite vividly the exploits of Klinsmann in the eighties and early nineties culminating in a World Cup victory in 1990 for Germany. Currently, Klinsmann runs a soccer consulting firm out of California aptly names Soccer Solutions.

Klinsmann will provide analysis of Toronto FC's infrastructure, youth academy and scouting system, as well as help the team in its search for a new manager and general manager. An announcement is expected sometime this week on the hiring. Given Klinsmann's recent failings coaching Bayern Munich in the Bundesliga, it's unclear just what his impact will be on TFC. One thing is certain, a name hiring like this one sends a clear message to the supports and the rest of Major League Soccer, TFC are not taking mediocrity lying down.

The Week That Was: 10.25.10-10.29.10

2010-10-31T02:50:00.001-04:00

MON 10.25
- Brock Lesner looses UFC title
Ladies and gentlemen, Cain Velasquez the first Mexican Champion… technically not born in Mexico. But don’t tell him I said that!

- Blue Jays name John Farrell team’s 12th manager

It’s difficult to criticize this move because, quite frankly, no one outside of Boston knows who John Farrell is. I have family in Beantown and when I called to get an insiders opinion on him the response from more than one person was “John who?”

- Brett Favre has fractures in his ankleLet’s look at the timeline… last week alleged pictures of Favre’s pink panther hit the internet. This week, Favre has a broken ankle. Next week, Favre goes on the IR.

- McGwire becomes Cards new hitting coach

One question… how does a man who hit a career .263, never won a batting title and is the face for baseball’s darkest era become a hitting coach?

- Tony Romo breaks collarbone in loss to Giants

Hashtag… Seasons over!

TUE 10.26

- Austin Collie out with a right thumb injury
What means nothing to you, means a while lot to fantasy owners… namely... me!

- Miami Trice downed in opener to Old Trice

Doesn’t mean much more than an end to the 82-0 season.

- Leafs beat Panthers to snap losing skid
Doesn’t mean much more than one bad team beating another.

WED 10.27

- Raps fall in opener to new look Knicks

I’ve got a funny feeling copy and paste will be used a lot when describing the Raps 10-11 season.

- Giants rough up Lee and win game 1 of the World Series

Hell hasn’t frozen over, but the temperature did dip a few degrees.

- Wade drops 30 as Heat win first game vs. 76ers
Copy/paste rule number two of the season.

- Leafs Armstrong out 4-6 weeks with a busted fingerWhere will the scoring come from now? Oh wait… that’s right…

THU 10.28

- UFC absorbs WECLadies and gentlemen, the beginning of the end of Urijah Faber’s career. Or did Aldo get us there already. In any case, the little guys get to fight!

- Cain blanks Rangers to put Giants up 2-0 in WSRangers don’t sweep at home, this sucker is over!

FRI 10.29
- Heat crush Magic in home opener
Copy/paste rule applied. You think Chris Bosh realizes he’s been suckered?

- Wild finish in Al’s win over Argo’s guarantee a trip to Hamilton
What can you say about Anthony Calvillo, over 400 yards and a last play TD to ice it… hashtag Hall of Fame!

- Defence leads Raps over Cavs for first win
Copy/Paste… WHHHHHHHHAAAAAAAAATTTTTTTTTT?!?!?!

- Bush Sr. and Jr. to throw out first pitch at World Series Game 3
Pretty sure this is the third sign of the apocalypse. And with that… Try to have a good weekend.

The Mess at BMO

2010-09-28T22:13:00.000-04:00

I’m not about to sit here and wax poetic on the finer points of running a professional sports team, but I do know this…

“No man goes before his time - unless the boss leaves early.” - Groucho Marx

It seems TFC’s captain and star player Dwayne De Rosario is trying to employ this quote in quite the literal way. The teams leading goal producer is two years into a four year contract and is looking for a raise to match the salaries of designate players Julian de Guzman and Mista.

In a 3-2 loss to San Jose on the weekend, De Rosario celebrated his 12th goal of the season by pretending to take out a pen and chequebook and write his own paycheque. After the game, the TFC sharpshooter expanded on his on-field antics telling reporters “Definitely my salary should be up there, it’s too long now. Every year I’ve been showing my worth and it’s about time they come to me with something. I know of other clubs who have gone to their star players and ripped up their contracts and I think it’s only fair.”

There’s just one problem, who exactly is he directing these demands to? On September 14th, director of soccer Mo Johnston and head coach Preki were relieved of their duties after an alleged locker room mutiny spearheaded by De Rosario and other TFC veterans. Interim director of soccer Earl Cochrane has taken over soccer operations until the conclusion of the season, but it’s unlikely he’ll be staying on in the same capacity next year.

Now the mess lies on the desk of MLSE’s (TFC’s ownership group) executive vice-president and chief operating officer Tom Anselmi who was on Toronto sports radio this week and said he had already told De Rosario’s agent that they would talk at the end of the season. Anselmi added De Rosario’s timing was ‘poor’.

Extending De Rosario’s contract essentially ties the hands of Anselmi as he peruses a new director of TFC who may or may not see the 32 year old De Rosario as part of the team’s future. And in the pursuit of the bigger payday De Rosario would be wise to remember - no man goes before his time, unless the boss leaves early.

Summer: Mission Accomplished

2010-09-28T18:53:00.004-04:00

I really wanted to write something this summer. I really did.

Unfortunately for the seven of you who enjoy reading my shit; summer moved pretty quickly here at HQ. I bought myself one of those home-things that I hear so much about, that was mildly fun. I had a record amount of family and friends breed, a couple of weddings to attend and all told, a busy summer.

So now that you’re all caught up let’s talk about what this blog is all about.

If you’re new to this blog, welcome! If you’re returning, thanks for being so damn kewl. This blog is going to primarily centre on sports news here in Toronto (which is where HQ is located), along with a few other projects I’m loosely attached to.

On the horizon, I’m working on the first of (hopefully) a long line of podcasts for those of you who’d rather listen to your sports opinions.

You can always catch me on Twitter @Nic_Gouveia if you really feel the need to inform me of my current level of suck or if you want to chat everything sports.

Love, peace and hair greese!
- Nic

This week in Fantasy NFL...

2010-09-15T10:42:00.000-04:00

The Sad State of Summer Sports Reporting

2010-07-30T10:45:00.003-04:00

There are only two rules that I live by when it comes to sports. First, I try not to over romanticize sports stories. Doing that usually leads to a letdown that is completely predictable in retrospect. Second, I don’t respond to criticism… of any kind. As easy as it is to argue a critic, it usually ends up with both sides standing firm on their differences. My preference is to just roll with my opinion and be open to listening to yours.

The latter of those rules was broken this week by one of Toronto’s basketball scribes. Eric Smith, radio voice of the Raptors, posted a blog entry yesterday lashing back at criticism delivered by the “Mike and Mike in the Morning” radio show. Hosts Mike Greenberg and Mike Golic spent a segment discussing American athletes’ and their perceived resistance to playing in Toronto.

Eric Smith’s retort, although well meaning, was also laced with biased opinions and vague statistics that - in some cases - were as inaccurate as the original criticisms levied by his American counterparts. If this were purposeful, it comes off as petty, and god help us if both parties were actually serious about their arguments.

Far be it for me to be considered the voice of reason, but isn’t this argument a giant waste of time? What both Mike’s and Eric Smith fail to mention is the reality of sports. Very, very… very few athletes remain on the team that drafted them, regardless of location. Almost all play in surroundings that are vastly different from where they call home and trying to generalize a player’s motivation is on par with Miss Cleo and others who claim to know it all. Heck, a week before Lebron James’ decision, no one had a real gauge on where King James was headed.

The truth of the matter is we’re in the dead of summer and there really isn’t anything to talk about unless you love baseball or would like to continue beating the dead 'Lebron James' horse. The Mike’s complimented Toronto, explained their affinity for visiting, but in the ‘dog days’ used Toronto as a whipping boy for an exhausted sports news cycle. And Smith, acting all the part of mayor of Toronto, took the bait.

Lots of people have something or other to say about a city like New York, but you don’t read defensive essays promoting the city. They just keep rolling, comfortable in who they are and not willing to lower themselves to such childish back and forth. They got bigger things to care about then what some talking heads have to say hundreds of miles away.

I remember when summer sports stories usually centred on the side of sports most don’t see. Sure the whiny back and forth makes for interesting fodder, but both Mike’s and Smith are better than that. They’re professionals and should act as such, leave the petty bullshit for bloggers like me. =)

The Future versus the Past

2010-07-21T14:45:00.000-04:00

I suppose it was only a matter of time...

I guess we should’ve seen this coming. Athletic wing players lighting up scrubs and rookies in summer league usually attracts a little attention. But for all the hate Raptors fans feel for both Carter and McGrady, surely they can’t be serious.

And don’t get it twisted; I like both Weems and DeRozan. They’re good kids and seem genuinely grateful to the fans and to the Raptors for the support they’ve shown. There’s only one thing - doesn’t Carter and McGrady look happy in that picture too? Didn't VC have a community outreach charity? Didn't it look like they had fun in Toronto?

You’re all suckers if you buy into the idea of loyalty in sports, you do know that right? Sure, it’s a nice idea but long are the days of Cal Ripken and Mario Lemieux playing an entire career on one team. What’s going on in Toronto has far more to do with selling tickets and jerseys than selling the idea that these two players are the next big thing. Because quite simply, there is no evidence to show that either of these two guys are (a) as good as Carter and McGrady and (b) that either of these two players will stay in Toronto if they do indeed reach superstar status.

I suppose it’s not your fault faithful Raptors fans. I mean, you’ve got to cheer for something. But hops alone do not make a great NBA player and when you start making comparisons before results, if things don’t go right, you only have yourselves to blame. But of course, that’s not how you’ll spin it. And you wonder where loyalty in sports went.

The Return of Caster Semenya

2010-07-16T21:43:00.008-04:00

It was a hot and humid night in the small Finish town of Lappeenranta on Thursday. An unlikely setting for track and field history, but maybe that was the point. The blue track of Kimpinen Stadium served as the stage for the return of a champion as South African runner and world 800 meter champion Caster Semenya made her triumphant return to the sport she loves; the sport that all but turned its collective backs on her.

Last year, Semenya, an 18 year old phenom competed in her first professional event at the World Championships in Berlin, Germany. After becoming world champion, in what should have been South Africa’s proudest track and field moment, it turned into a three ringed circus when allegations that Semenya was an intersex woman came to the surface.

Young, inexperienced and with a body and face seemingly chiselled out of marble, the glares became whispers and the whispers became outcries as Semenya crossed the line victorious in Berlin. An eighteen year old, barely starting her track career, let alone her life, now subjected to the sexist judgements of what the female athlete ‘should’ look like. Tracks ruling federation the (IAAF) banned Semenya from events until her gender could be verified and her status cleared.

Reports began leaking details of Semenya’s medical records and legal firm Dewey & LeBoeuf took her case pro bono with the goal of ensuring Semenya’s civil and legal rights, as well as her dignity as a person. On July 9th 2010, the IAAF cleared Semenya to return to track and field and verified she met the standard of a female competitor. Gender tests, obviously are not released for privacy reasons.

This takes us back to Thursday night in Finland. After more than twelve months of the kind of chaos no young woman should have to deal with, Semenya returned and began her pre-race routine in lane 4. Semenya looked nervous as she took her place at the starting line but as the starters pistol fired, Semenya resembled the champion she always was. Running a solidly paced race, Semenya stayed level until the final 150 meters. As she started to pull ahead, the small crowd of 4,100 began raising their voices, cheering her on, cheering her back. Semenya crossed the line in the same position as her famous Berlin race, in first place.

“To come and run a 2:04 is not easy, especially after what happened,” Semenya said in the small post race interview. And after all that’s happened to her, after the utter lack of support and protection, Semenya refused to criticize the IAAF. “Maybe it was good for me to rest after I ran my fastest time last year,” Semenya said. “I’m still young; the muscles are still developing, so, yeah, I can run faster than that.”

Clearly, Caster Semenya understands that her entire future is ahead of her. That the events that transpired over the past twelve months can become a footnote and not the headline of her career. And with that kind of grace, clearly, Caster Semenya is a woman. And with that kind of resolve, clearly, Caster Semenya is a Champion!

TFC Flying Under The Radar

2010-07-15T19:36:00.000-04:00

While Toronto became divided into “little” countries during FIFA’s World Cup, the hometown soccer team has been on a nice little roll that, apart from the BMO faithful, very few of you have taken notice of.

Since a May 1st loss in Salt Lake, TFC has gone undefeated racking up five wins and six draws between MLS and Champions League play. The Reds sit firmly in third place in the Eastern Conference and are celebrating the selection of team captain Dwayne De Rosario to the All Star game but be that as it may, barely a peep has come from the sports media.

Does any of this make sense? If the Leafs sat third in their conference and Dion Phaneuf was All Star Game bound, the networks would gather their round table of talking heads and debate which way Dion should tie his skates. And I get that it’s hockey and hockey is god in Canada, but it isn’t hockey season.

So what’s a footy fan to do? Well, you could always demand the soccer coverage you want.

When TFC fans grew tiresome of the artificial turf in BMO field, they took action. They communicated their concerns to MLSE (Parent company of TFC) and the bosses responded. The fake grass was replaced with the real stuff in a multimillion dollar investment, paid completely by MLSE.

You do have power Reds fans, especially when your team is successful, to make meaningful change in the content you want aired on sports networks. So get out there, flood inboxes, bring signs to the game (“I want to be on Sportscentre” usually works) and make you’re voices heard because without a constant television presence, soccer will never work in Toronto or anywhere else in North America.

Doctor, it hurts when I do this. Well… then don’t do that!

2010-07-09T19:05:00.001-04:00

I’ll be honest Cleveland… I never thought he’d break up with you on national TV.

Seriously! From the moment it was announced that Lebron James was airing a one hour special and giving the ad dollars to charity I thought… scratch that… I believed he was staying in Cleveland. And I had reason to believe. James’ marketability, his image had so masterfully been crafted that there was no way he would damage it, not now, not after screaming “Hey everyone, look at me!”

9:27pm - I'm going to take my talents to South Beach and join the Miami Heat.

I was genuinely shocked. Not at the decision. I figured if he were leaving, Miami is where he’d go. I was shocked he’d so quickly and callously put himself into a corner.

For all the master strokes in the rise of Lebron James, this spectacle puts his image and perhaps his legacy on the card table. And he knew it, perhaps not at 9:27, but when the split screen of Lebron and Cleveland fans burning his jersey appeared, the look on the Kings face said it all. He can never go home. He’ll never be the person to his hometown that he was before.

The world will give the super friends a pass in the first few years should it become more difficult than expected to win a title. But what happens if the drought carries over to year three, four and five. With every passing day, Lebron will look more and more the childish fool. Not for leaving, but for how he left. And you’ve got to wonder, would a morning press conference in Cleveland, a tearful goodbye, a final bow have spared Cleveland the embarrassment. I guess we’ll never know. Would it have killed him if he did?

Groundhog Day in Toronto

2010-07-08T19:44:00.000-04:00

I sat there, glued to the T.V., watching highlights of a story I already knew the ending to. But still I stared, glossy eyed and stunned. “It’s happened again” I thought. And with a sigh, I turned the T.V. off and headed to work.

That was my morning as officially Chris Bosh became a member of the Miami Heat.

“It’s happened again”

And I know it’s a bit unfair to lump all of this onto Bryan Colangelo. He concocted a plan, put it into action and up until February, was on pace to (at the very least) make Chris Bosh’s decision a tougher one.

And so it begins… life without a star. It’s something seldom seen in Toronto when you think about it. First there was Damon Stoudamire, then Marcus Camby, then Tracy McGrady, then Vince Carter, and finally Chris Bosh. Fifteen years, and with every turn of the page, every new chapter, it seemed the organization was always smart enough, or maybe just lucky enough to have someone waiting in the wings. Someone ready, to become bigger than expected and to carry the flag for our basketball team.

But life, as it always does, goes on. And as Bryan Colangelo rolls out Amir Johnson, Ed Davis, Solomon Alabi and Linas Kleiza all I keep thinking is number six, seven, eight and nine on the depth chart. Not because someone better plays there positions but simply because in the grand scheme of things, that’s what they are.

But maybe I’m being pessimistic. Maybe Demar DeRozan is the next big thing and we just don’t know it yet; maybe. The fact still remains; the empty seat usually reserved for the blue chip prospect remains empty in Toronto.

I can see it now. Bryan Colangelo sitting in his office, brow furrowed. Staring at the depth chart on the white board and thinking the same question we’re all thinking. “How do I make this work?”

And as much as the beleaguered fan in me wants to boo Chris Bosh, I know I can’t. He tried. He served his time. And like those before him, he left for greener pastures.

But before I sign off, to follow a basketball team that so hopelessly will fight for wins and fans, a warning to Chris Bosh. Of your four predecessors, all have failed in their hunt for success. Only Vince Carter made it past the first round in the last ten years.

McGrady, the most vocal about leaving Toronto and currently the biggest detractor of the club, has never won a playoff series since leaving. Only Camby’s trip to the finals in ’99 and Stoudamire’s conference finals defeat the next season mark the only blips in a history of failure for former Raptors stars.

Now that I think about it, perhaps this is a far greater warning for LeBron James.

Being an NBA Fan and Other Lessons in Futility

2010-07-01T05:37:00.002-04:00

I hear you Toronto. I understand. In fact, I’m right there with you. You just want something to believe in, something you haven’t felt before… a champion. There’s only one problem, you’re looking in the wrong place. Because while we look backwards at the last four years and nitpick the wheeling and dealing of Bryan Colangelo and company, we forget one inevitable truth… in twenty years, only seven teams have won the NBA championship. Seven!

So as Chris Bosh’s silhouette seemingly fades into the sunset, Raptors fans are left to ponder what the brain trust at MLSE will do to rebuild a Raptors team that’s been rebuilt several times over in recent memory. And it’s pretty funny, because it’s not as if the Raptors are going to shift from their current position, their only position. They’re going to do whatever they can, period.

And to understand Bryan Colangelo’s logic, you must first come to the harsh realization that the NBA elite are simply not interested in putting down roots in Toronto. A touchy subject among sensitive Torontonians, but when the recipe for success includes an NBA superstar and a lockdown second option, it seems nearly impossible the Raptors will ever be considered true contenders.

And don’t be mistaken; for most NBA cities that realization also applies. Oklahoma City is desperate to start contending now, because if guys like Dirk Nowitzki would opt out of a player friendly organization like the Mavs, what’s stopping Kevin Durant?

So the Raptors will do what they can and before you get on your soap box and criticize management ask yourself this, with the truth of the matter being no superstar really wants to come to Toronto, what more could have been done?

Some Changes...

2010-07-01T03:06:00.000-04:00

Howdy folks…

Some quick changes and alerts. For the seven or eight of you who follow me (an activity of major time waste-i-tude) I’ve changed from @ogcin to @nic_gouveia. Why? Because y’all won’t stop asking me what ogcin means.

You’ll also notice a few links above for ‘TOSR’ and ‘On the Web’ podcasts. Projects I’m working on and you’ll see the results shortly… I hope.

Stay tuned.

Bloggy Blog Blog for May 25

2010-05-25T21:42:00.000-04:00

I’m waiting on a few things to finish up here in the florescent fortress… let’s chat.

The head of M$ video games and mobile unit Robbie Bach announced his “retirement” in what’s being called a management shuffle. Here’s a freebie for M$... see how this sounds…

XBOX + Smartphone + Windows Mobile 7 = Mmmmmmmmmmmoney

But maybe I’m just crazy.

Don’t call it a ROLLBACK… because it’s not! Wal-Mart is rolling back the price of the iPhone 3GS to 97 bucks americanos.

In totally none related news, Apple overlord Steve Jobs is scheduled to deliver the keynote address at the annual Worldwide Developers Conference in San Fran, June 7th. But thanks to Gizmodo, the only piece of info iPhone fans will be waiting for is… when?

And for those of you looking for good hip hop, and these days who isn’t, check out Big K.R.I.T. He’s out of Mississippi, produces all his beats and spits hot fire. Trying to lock some of his stuff down for a future poddy podcast. I’ll keep you posted.

Looks like I gotta run... TTYL - Nic

Tribute: Ronnie James Dio

2010-05-19T05:29:00.000-04:00

On Sunday, May 16th, Ronnie James Dio died at the age of 67.

After a long battle with stomach cancer, one of metal’s greatest vocalist succumbed to his illness and now leaves the world to grieve his influence, his iconic voice and perhaps most importantly, his truly down to earth, friendly personality.

Dio, first gained notoriety in 1975 as the first lead singer of Rainbow, a heavy metal band put together by guitarist Ritchie Blackmore, who had just quit Deep Purple. In 1980, Dio then replaced Ozzy Osbourne as vocalist for Black Sabbath. To this day, Sabbath fans still debate which singer was truly best. Dio also enjoyed success with his self-titled band “Dio” in between stints with Sabbath.

What’s being remembered most however is Dio’s good natured spirit. In 1985, Dio organized "Hear ‘n Aid" to raise money for famine relief in Africa. On May 20 and 21, 40 artists gathered at the A&M Records Studio in Hollywood, California to record the song "Hear 'n Aid". Also included on the album were live tracks from Rush, Motörhead and Scorpions among others. The project raised more than a million dollars in the first year.

Condolences continue to roll in from the metal community.

Ozzy Osbourne: "I was very saddened to hear of the passing of Ronnie James Dio. Metal has truly lost one of its greatest voices. My heart goes out to his family and to his many fans."

Smashing Pumpkins frontman Billy Corgan: "R.I.P. Ronnie James Dio. I only got to meet him once and I can honestly say he was the nicest person I have ever met in music. Ronnie was a true gentleman, and obviously one of the best rock singers there will ever be. What a sad loss today."

Slash: "His music will live for eternity."

Funeral services for Dio have yet to be announced, with his family requesting privacy for several days. To the man who originated metal’s ultimate sign of respect, let us all raise our horns for the legend, rest in peace Ronnie James Dio.

The Vultures Have Landed…

2010-03-25T11:52:00.004-04:00

In Canada!

Them Crooked Vultures have been rocking the land of Aus and kicking Europe’s ass for the winter; now they set flight for the true-north-strong as part of their North American tour kicking off on April 14th in Los Angles. After trips to Coachella, Vegas and the Fillmore in Denver, TCV will open up their Canadian leg on May 11th in Quebec City with stops in Montreal (05/12), Ottawa (05/13), Toronto (05/12) and Windsor (05/16).

Indianapolis and Chicago round out the North American leg when TCV will return to Europe in June and July before setting off to Japan. No word on when The Vultures will visit the west coast of Canada, but of course when that announcement happens, we’ll be all over it.

In other TCV news, recently it was reported that recording of the second Vultures album was stalled due to Dave Grohl’s addiction to coffee… seriously. Grohl was rushed to hospital suffering from the side effects of caffeine overdose and is since determined to cut down his intake from a reported FIVE POTS OF COFFEE A DAY! To watch Caffeinated Grohl loose his mind and other behind the scenes footage check out this video.

Rock Band 3 Revealed

2010-03-09T20:08:00.002-05:00

Get ready all you plastic instrument aficionados, this morning Viacom president and CEO Philippe Dauman officially announced that Rock Band 3 is due for release this holiday season. Although no details were revealed about the actual game or what improvements were made from previous versions, Dauman exclaimed that the next incarnation of the rhythm game series will “innovate and revolutionize the music genre.”

Several members of the Harmonix development team have also tweeted that they indeed are working on the title and that “it's going to be AWESOME!”

The news, although exciting, wasn’t unexpected. In an interview with the Chicago Tribune, Dhani Harrison (son of former Beatle George Harrison) revealed he is part of the team working on the next Rock Band game and that it will take the series into a different direction. Harrison elaborates “I'm working on Rock Band 3 and making the controllers more real so people can actually learn how to play music while playing the game.”

Harrison’s inclusion notwithstanding, the Rock Band 3 wish lists have been blowing up the internets and interestingly enough lead and rhythm guitar options, intuitive menus and freeing the drum overdrive controls have been tops on most lists of improvements fans want to see. I’ll be keeping an eye on this story as it develops so stay tuned, and for those looking for a challenge, expert is the only difficulty I know so bone up kiddies.

What’s in the Name?

2010-03-09T18:39:00.000-05:00

Eventually, everyone will have played for the Smashing Pumpkins. Of course that’s an exaggeration, or at least I hope it is but the Pumpkins… or more accurately Billy Corgan are looking for a new bassist and IT COULD BE YOU… although it won’t be you… but it could be you… even though you and I both know it won’t be you.

Back to the story, Ginger Pooley (who replaced Melissa Auf der Maur who replaced D'arcy Wretzky) is leaving the band to raise her newborn daughter Talula with husband Kris Pooley. It’s funny how that’s more appealing than playing with the Pumpkins isn’t it? But when you get as good as Corgan is at replacing band members, the solution came fast and simple, open auditions. It’s a strategy that’s worked for Corgan in the past when founding drummer Jimmy Chamberlin left the band and twenty year old Mike Byrne was plucked from an open audition to take over the beats.

Bass isn’t the only opening for the barely relevant rock band as the pumpkins are also looking for a new keyboardist. Some of Corgan’s more recent creations require someone to tickle the keys, so if you can play bass or keyboards and don’t mind trudging the world with an egomaniacal, control freak and are easily amused with tour tales from 1994… you might just be the newest member of the Smashing Pumpkins… even though you won’t be.

STP the Presses

2010-03-08T20:05:00.000-05:00

Let’s try a little exercise. Take New York City, a nightclub packed with booze and Scott Weiland… what do you get? Usually, a combo made for ‘TMZ’ but on February 23rd it meant much more, it may have been the night where the rebirth of the Stone Temple Pilots was witnessed.

With the entire band on hand, STP revealed all twelve tracks of their yet to be titled sixth album. After a long six year hiatus, many who attended the party were very complimentary of what they had heard. Twitter has been blowing up with people who were there (or say they were) complementing the album. One such tweep called it “A natural, melodic progression for Stone Temple Pilots.”

Tons of kudos are also coming in on the appearance of Scott Weiland, as one person put it “he’s never looked physically better.” The band intends on touring during the spring and summer in support of the new album and has hinted on festival appearances and perhaps even starting their own festival.

Below is the track listing for the new STP album…

Between The Lines
Take A Load Off
Huckleberry Crumble
Hickory Dichotomy
Dare If You Dare
Cinnamon
Hazydaze
Bag Man
Pea Coat
Fast As I Can
First Kiss On Mars
Maver

Wanted: New Tool

2010-03-08T18:30:00.001-05:00

Bad news everyone…

Maynard James Keenan has been busy with different projects lately, so much so he’s revealed to noisecreep.com that he has no plans on working on a new Tool album. “… I don't know if I can (record with Tool) right now. I am on the operating table and I'm breaching, I'm having a baby. The idea of making another baby right now is not appealing.” said Keenan who is hitting the road with his other group, Puscifer.

Also new in the world of MJK, is a documentary entitled “Blood Into Wine” based on the creation of his Merkin Vineyards. Recently, the singer also opened a food market near his Arizona home that specializes in organically grown local produce.

Thirty Years of Religion

2010-03-08T18:12:00.001-05:00

For thirty years, veteran punk band Bad Religion have been fighting the good fight and cranking out album after album of crunchy, angry goodness for their slightly jaded, loyal fans. To reward said loyalty Bad Religion will be releasing a free, that’s right free, live album available May 18th for download through their website.

Entitled “30 Years Live” the free album will be recorded during Bad Religion’s upcoming spring tour, slated to start March 17th in Anaheim. The band posted a message to fans saying the album is “… a free 'thank you' to the loyal fans who've been with [them] through all the sweat and mayhem…”

Sadly, no Canadian dates have been set and don’t expect them north of the border till after the summer as they’ll be trekking through Europe through June and July. Good news for the hostel crowd.

Now Taking the Stage, RBN

2010-03-05T19:42:00.001-05:00

Rock Band fans rejoice, your song library is about to get much… much bigger. The folks at Microsoft and Harmonix have just launched the Rock Band Network which stands to change Rock Band from a mere video game into a community driven, revenue stream for those involved.

With the seemingly endless requests for songs to be developed and the limitations of our primitive 24 hour day, the Rock Band Network now puts the power into the end users hands to create tracks and maybe make a little bank for their trouble.

It works like this, you’ll need to join XNA which is Microsoft’s Creators Club ($99 USD/Per Year) have an Xbox Live Gold membership ($49 USD/Per Year) and a Rock Band Creators Club account (FREE). Okay, it is going to cost you some money up front but once that’s done, you can download the authoring tools and get to work on developing your own tracks.

Once you’ve finished your digital opus, upload it to the creators club where it will be evaluated by your peers. Alternatively, you can review other peoples work before it hits the Rock Band Store. If your track rocks and are approved by the benevolent kings at Harmonix, it goes straight into the store for purchase and this is where the making money part comes in. Every time your track is downloaded, the developer (YOU) makes a cut.

Along with record companies developing tracks for their own artists, indie acts may see a larger advantage in harnessing the collective attention of Rock Band fans to expand their exposure. In their hardcore incarnations, Rock Band players are known for spending sizable amounts of money for songs that are challenging regardless of their popular appeal.

The good news doesn’t end there; starting next month, an Artist of the Month will be selected and promoted via MTV television platforms and T-Mobile’s wireless platform. Only time will tell if the Rock Band Network will be a success, but given the popularity of the game and their ravenous fan base, it should be an interesting experiment in user driven content.

New Roots Album - June 8th

2010-03-05T16:54:00.000-05:00

Good news everyone…

Word dropped today that one of New York’s finest hip-hop acts, The Roots, are releasing their newest album June 8th. Confirmed by Roots drummer ?uestlove via Twitter post, the bands ninth studio album will be entitled How I Got Over. In an interview with HipHopGame.com the bands MC ‘Black Thought’ elaborated on the record saying it reflects the relief the band feels at the end of the Bush administration and the beginning of the Obama presidency.

Stream from the Beach

2010-03-01T20:39:00.000-05:00

The internets provides once more my friends. If you don’t want to wait a week to get your grubby little hands on Gorillaz new album “Plastic Beach” wait no longer. The Guardian, out in merry ol’ England, is hooking us all up with the entire album streamed fresh to your desktop. Theirs a ton of hype around this album with colabo’s by Lou Reed, Mos Def, De La Soul and Snoop Dogg just to name a few. Consume and enjoy.

Top Ten Albums of the Decade

2010-01-07T21:34:00.000-05:00

If you can count from zero to nine you’ve probably figured out we just closed out the decade and are now in the magical tweens. What… no fanfare? No fear of global catastrophe? No fuzzy webcast of Geraldo Rivera in some south pacific island as confused natives wonder ‘what backwards country would send an idiot to cover the sunrise?’ No, huh? I’m not surprised. TV and movies tell us the world’s going to end in 2012 and Geraldo Rivera is dead. Wait? He’s not? Oh well, better luck next year.

To my point, why not put something together for you good people to read and subsequently argue with each other about? Good idea, no? Here’s a list of artists who actually made something worth ~~illegally downloading~~ buying this decade. My rules, for what it’s worth, are this. No artist gets on twice (even though some deserve a second or third album on the list) and my selection criteria consists of a mix of creativity, impact on career and impact on the music scene. Enjoy…

1) Radiohead - Kid A (2000)
No, Kid A wasn’t anything like The Bends or O.K. Computer and I’m not here to argue which of the three albums are better. My point is, while Radiohead enjoyed their largest level of popularity; the band drew a line in the sand and abandoned the clichéd rock structures for a wider range of instrumentation and styles. They risked everything and albeit polarizing for fans, Kid A set Radiohead apart from an army of lock-stepping acts and produced the most creative pop-rock composition of the decade… in my opinion of course.

2) Coldplay - A Rush of Blood to the Head (2002)
It’s hard to argue that Coldplay wasn’t the biggest band of the past decade, so why isn’t their masterpiece at the top of my list? A Rush… certainly cranked out the sales, hit singles and critical kudos to qualify it among the top of the list but here’s the catch… the album was fairly formulaic and lacked creative growth to set it apart from their earlier release Parachutes. As predictable as it is A Rush... is still a fantastic album and deserving of it's spot.

3) The White Stripes - Elephant (2003)
The definition of a monster, Elephant takes from it’s name. The album is loud, smart and without a doubt will make your floor rumble after a few minutes. (Point speakers towards the floor for maximum effect) All kidding aside, ‘Elephant’ was brilliantly written and likely will be one of those albums that stands the test of time.

4) Arcade Fire - Funeral (2004)
It’s not often when a band comes along and defines an entire scene with one album. It’s even rarer when they do it on the first try but so was the case for the genre defying Montreal act. Funeral is a beautifully dangerous ride that covers just about every emotion in the human psyche. And all this, without the contrived attitude found in the baroque indie landscape. Perhaps that’s why Arcade Fire enjoys a little something called commercial success.

5) Alicia Keys - Songs in A Minor (2001)
For my money, Alicia Keys is the greatest solo artist of the decade and Songs in A Minor gives me about all the evidence I need to prove that point. Mixing contemporary R&B with retrospective soul, Songs… is a uniquely personal journey featuring the vocal range, creative genius and musical talent seldom seen from such a young artist.

6) Green Day - American Idiot (2004)
With comparisons to albums like Dark Side of the Moon, Green Day catapult themselves from clever punk pubas, to raw storytellers in an almost theatrical and poignant release.

7) Kanye West - The College Dropout (2004)
Love him or hate him, Kanye West’s first studio album is a raw autobiographical opus that discards the materialism of the hip-hop scene and stands as an example of what the genre could and should be.

8) Queens of the Stone Age - Songs For The Deaf (2002)
You call it stoner rock, I call it music to fuck to. Songs for the Deaf is a hard as nails, pedal to the metal, desert rat symphony. You'll likely feel dirty after listening to it but you probably won’t mind.

9) The Strokes - Is This It (2001)
Is This It was the anthem for teenage youth of the last decade… frenetic, uncompromising and utterly raw. And like being a teenager the time flies so fast, you only really appreciate it after it’s over.

10) System of a Down - Toxicity (2001)
A throwback to the lunatic metal scene of the sixties, Toxicity employs a freestyle approach to social and political themes and thrash forward in what seems like a doomsday soundtrack.

BONUS ROUND…
Not to leave my countrymen behind here are my top five Canadian albums of the decade.

1) Arcade Fire - Funeral (2004)
2) Alexisonfire - Watch Out (2004)
3) Broken Social Scene - You Forgot It In People (2002)
4) Metric - Old World Underground, Where Are You Now? (2003)
5) Feist - The Reminder (2007)

Circling the Vultures

2009-11-27T17:27:00.002-05:00

I fucking hate the concept of a super-band. It’s kinda like a threesome with one girl and two guys. Sure a few holes are getting filled, but once you cross swords the realization hits that this is less a collaborative effort and more of a circle jerk where loser gets sloppy seconds.

With that in mind (your welcome) think of Them Crooked Vultures self titled album as a threesome made up of you (girl or guy should work) Carmen Electra, Jenna Jamison and a bottle of cheap whisky. Everyone’s in it for a good time and with no strings attached, you might even come out better for the experience.

That’s what this album is all about, having a good fucking time. “No One Loves Me & Neither Do I” sets the tone of the album with a lust filled 5:10 of growling guitars and bass work reminiscent of a time long ago when a bass guitar could get you higher than an eight ball of coke… okay maybe not that high, but you get the idea.

Admittedly “New Fang” and “Reptiles” do have noticeable touches of Queens of the Stone Age and the Foo Fighters but that’s easy to forgive when you remember that The Vultures are more of a jam session band rather than an entirely new incarnation. If anything, I hear far more Zeppelin as Josh Homme and Dave Grohl display their undeniable fandom in playing with a legend like John Paul Jones.

All that being said, “Gunman” really stands out on this album as my “what the fuck was that” song. With a progressive structure and a hook that takes you off the rocky dirt road and into a psychedelic trip, you'll be searching the liner notes to see if Trent Reznor was somehow involved. (Sadly, he’s not)

So to the douche bag in the back screaming “it sounds like Queens or the Foo’s or Zeppelin” go fuck yourself! The album isn’t too ambitious and isn’t trying to reinvent the wheel. It’s sex, it’s drugs and it’s mother fucking rock and roll in all it’s glorious depravity… and I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Hardly Gambling

2009-09-25T13:13:00.001-04:00

Oh how I love female vocalists. I am yet to be convinced that a man can sing anything better than a woman. And so I wait, four fucking years in fact, for Magneta Lane to release a follow up to the very successful Dancing with Daggers. Breathe held for the next time I get to hear Lexi Valentine croon and subsequently make me melt into gleeful pop-noir gelatinous goo. With new album Gambling with God loaded into the iPod, I spent a cool autumn afternoon strolling thru Queens Street West in Toronto finding my answers.

You’d think with the band moving to Last Gang Records (Home for The New Pornographers and Metric) that Gambling with God would feature a more progressive sound. Sadly that’s not the case. It’s not that the album is bad, it just sounds like the previous two offerings by the band.

“Lady Bones” kicks the album off and given it’s an older tune in the Magneta catalog, you get the distinct feeling that the album will follow the tried and true blueprint the band has used before. Again, not necessarily a bad thing for a band that hasn’t quite “made it” but for fans, hearing an old song on a new album (in the first track no less) doesn’t exactly excite the old ear drums.

“Violet's Constellations” makes up for the first track as the synthesizers compliment the driving bass line and backbeat altering my previous perceptions on where this was going. Sadly, it wasn’t long until I found myself forgetting about that and realizing the statement being made by the band. “Castles” “Bloody French” and “Queen of Hearts” are all standouts, but clearly Magneta Lane songs. The hope of a left turn in the trip fades and what you’re left with is a band who knows that this is what they are.

A strong statement and one I got loud and clear. Magneta Lane can progress, or at least change the style up a bit, but they are going to do it on their own terms. For that I cannot fault them and as I found myself walking south towards the lake I came to the realization that perhaps this album was released later than it should’ve. Gambling with God could have been my summer album, a perfect disc for a sunny road trip, but not for a chilly stroll.

Electric and Sombre with Moneen

2009-09-23T11:20:00.000-04:00

It’s been three years and you could be excused for thinking the boys of Moneen had called it quits. In reality, the absence was due to the revolving door that has eaten up band members in the past. This time around, drummer Peter Krpan decided to start a solo project and made way for new drummer Steve Nunnaro. With the dust settled, Moneen presents their forth studio album “The World I Want to Leave Behind.”

The tone of the album seems fairly obvious in the title track as a quasi melodic guitar, softly leads the listener into the depths of jaded pessimism that carries throughout much of the album. Tracks “Hold That Sound” “The Long Count” and “The Glass House” hold true to Moneen’s generic pop-punk sound that will ring true to fans but misses the mark for those who are hearing them for the first time.

Moneen does stray from the usual, if only for a moment and provides quite a bit of experimentation on tracks “Believe” and “The Way.” Sadly, that gets lost in lyrical content that appeal more to the teen scene. Fans of earlier Moneen incarnations aren’t seventeen anymore and the continuation of whinny, teen angst overpowers what could’ve been an evolution for the band.

If you are in a place right now where being jaded about life is status quo, this album isn’t going to give you a fresh perspective on things, but likely will validate your feelings towards the world. Now cheer up you Misfits t-shirt wearing douche bag.

Noel Calls it Quits

2009-08-29T06:18:00.002-04:00

A week after cancelling their V Festival Chelmsford stop, it looks that Oasis is no more after an “altercation” at the Rock en Seine festival in Paris, France last night.

With mere minutes before Oasis was to take the stage, screens at both ends of the main stage showed the message: “As a result of an altercation within the band, the Oasis gig has been cancelled.”

Bloc Party, who were scheduled to play before Oasis announced that the Manchester rockers would not be taking the stage. Most in the crowd laughed thinking it a jab for the missed gig a week earlier. It was no laughing matter after the message flashed on screen that indeed the show had been cancelled.

Scottish singer Amy Macdonald, who also preformed at the Rock en Seine, tweeted: “cancelled again with one minute to stage time!!! Liam smashed Noel's guitar, huuuge fight! I have never heard such loud booing! It was terrifying. I am gutted. I feel so bad for all the fans.”

Later, on the official Oasis website, Noel confirmed: "It's with some sadness and great relief I tell you that I quit Oasis tonight. People will write and say what they like, but I simply could not go on working with Liam a day longer.”

“Apologies to all the people who bought tickets for the shows in Paris, Konstanz and Milan.”

So speak up Off the Dial faithful… Will this split last? Is this the end of Oasis?

Mos Def - The Ecstatic

2009-07-21T21:25:00.001-04:00

I’d love to preface this review by telling you hip-hop, as a genre, has returned to a position of influence, politically as well as in popular culture. I’d love to tell you that the megaphone for social injustice is back and that the days of raping about money, whores and record sales are over. Of course that’s not the case.

Although few, there are artists who are resurrecting the importance of the genre and releasing true masterpieces that sadly don’t garner the commercial success needed to foster change. Let’s shed some light on one particular release that should definitely occupy a place in your music library.

“Ecstatic” is the forth solo release by Mos Def and acts as a perfect retrospective of issues that have plagued America in recent history. Not necessarily uncharted waters for the Brooklyn MC/actor but certainly revisited, in depth, in this sixteen track opus.

The album aptly begins with a powerful recording of Malcolm X and leads into the guitar driven “Supermagic” featuring a sample from the persecuted Turkish singer Selda Bagcan. The combination is seamlessly married with the lyrics as Mos Def defines his mottos operandi for the listener.

An early standout, “Auditorium” features a distinctly old-school beat and a verse from hip-hop royalty Slick Rick. The song draws comparisons with terror fear mongering at home and the reality on the ground in Iraq. A microcosm of the album as the theme is squarely focussed on that duality.

Ecstatic takes an interesting and unexpected left turn with the track “Quiet Dog Bite Hard.” A rally song of sorts set to the driving beats of only percussion instruments and a smooth delivery. The toned down sound lends well to the warning that for all the optimism, the quiet dog does bite hard.

The album is extremely well paced and perhaps saves its best song “History” to the end. Sampling Mary Wells classic “Two Lovers History” and featuring the lyrical genius of Talib Kweli. The song is a straight backhand to those in the industry taking hip-hop two steps backwards and delivers a track that makes you want to start the album back up from the top.

Although die-hard Mos-Def fans will point to “Black on Both Sides” as the epitome of his talents, “Ecstatic” is an excellent introduction to those unfamiliar with what hip-hop should sound like. A timely reminder of what the genre could be.

And then there were three

2009-07-20T20:40:00.003-04:00

If you’re ever in Toronto, there’s a classless little bar on the corner of Bathurst and Richmond and if you’re lucky enough to find it, you can spot members of the downtown music scene pounding back some of the world’s worst poured drinks. Regulars include members of Billy Talent and given the mixture of creativity and despair resonating through the tiny bar, you’d think Billy Talent III was an unofficial soundtrack to the neighbourhood we call home.

The album’s first track “Devil On My shoulder” kicks off with an Ian D’Sa patented ‘d’ minor guitar riff, sounding the beginning of an unapologetic, personally dark journey that checks all the boxes for those of us who foster a moral centre slightly skewed from the norm.

Suicide is a subject visited several times in the album and tracks “Saint Veronika” and “Tears Into Wine” produce an interesting contrast. Although similar, the rhythm of the two songs reflects the method of suicide taken. A clever touch given the two songs could just as easily be dismissed as teenage angst fodder.

The second half of the album shifts to social consciousness as well as a noticed experimentation in sound. It would be too easy for me to dismiss the obvious attempt the band took in changing things slightly. Unfortunately, their influences come through a little too clearly. I do, however, recall most “hardcore fans” bitching that Billy Talent was too monotonous and safe. The attempt here is valiant and the experiments don’t last too long as “Turn Your Back” reels the line into more familiar waters.

Albeit sporadic in themes and sounds, III wasn’t simple or safe. It certainly wasn’t formulaic and shifted away from the sing-a-long teenage angst style they’ve taken so much flak for. Billy Talent took a few risks and although they missed the mark, it wasn’t by much. I was left interested in what will come next and isn’t that how you’re suppose to leave an album?

Before you go, a special deluxe edition of the album, entitled Billy Talent III: Guitar Villain Edition has been released. The Villain Edition will include a second disc of the album, with the guitar tracks removed so fans can play along. Also included are 4 additional demo songs, as well as guitar tabs for the whole album transcribed on two posters, finally a reason to visit the music store.

You can catch this article and all your music news and reviews at http://www.offthedial.ca/

There once was a gurl from...

2009-05-19T11:38:00.000-04:00

Enjoy the funny...

http://www.limerickdb.com/

Best Damn News...

2009-05-18T23:19:00.002-04:00

TSN2 is now available on Rogers... one less reason to burn Rogers.

http://www.google.com/hostednews/canadianpress/article/ALeqM5iA8NrTD0k8PBrttzs9UqJ94O7pbw

The Rap Sheet Goes Live…

2009-05-14T14:13:00.000-04:00

Those who know me know that I love the Toronto Raptors and the NBA. Today I’ve launched a site www.therapsheet.ca

The Rap Sheet is my Raptors blog and will cover everything Raptors/NBA.

Enjoy!

Hammer Time...

2009-05-13T09:11:00.001-04:00

The times they are a-changing. New url… check… new design… almost check.

Where's The Wiz?!?!

2009-05-08T17:01:00.003-04:00

Hello peeps...

The Wiz has a flashy new earl... I mean url. http://www.nicgo.ca/ is das new address for all things Nic.

More news on webby web web stuff, shortly...

Back to work.
- N

Our Prayers Have Been Answered… Nirvana Returns

2009-04-01T08:08:00.002-04:00

Sometimes karma can be a real bitch but then again so can Courtney Love. The former Mrs. Cobain sold 25% of the Nirvana catalogue to Larry Mestel of Primary Wave Music Publishing in 2006. It’s been speculated that many of the grunge gods hits were included in the deal, now we’ll know which ones.

A deal has been struck between Mestel and the remaining members of Nirvana (Dave Grohl and Krist Novoselic) granting them permission to perform as Nirvana. Its rumoured Grohl and Novoselic along with House of Blues paid Mestel upwards of twenty million dollars for the privilege of playing their own songs.

Novoselic has confirmed he will resume his duties on bass and that Grohl will deviate to lead guitar and singing. Queens of the Stone Age drummer Joey Castillo has been tapped to play drums and part time Nirvana guitarist Pat Smear will also return.

Although no dates are confirmed, a preliminary tour schedule has been leaked and include stops in Ogdenville, North Haverbrook, Brockway, Quahog, Arlen and of course Springfield. And in case you’re completely daft, this entire article is my way of saying lighten up and have a fun April Fools Day!

Back at HQ…

2009-03-23T16:54:00.001-04:00

Well it’s Monday and I’m back home, better known as the office. Luggage still unpacked and photos still not posted but fuck it. The trip was seriously gratifying and for the offthedial.ca followers March’s podcast will have yours truly in studio with Chris. Might go back in April to get that podcast done also…

Cheers…

Back to Cowtown...

2009-03-19T15:29:00.000-04:00

Banff was amazing! I've had great trips out here before, but this was especially great. Fifty Mission Cap is playing, the sky is sunny and I can't help but wish we lived out here.

Lake Louise - Shredies

2009-03-18T18:18:00.000-04:00

LL exceeds expectation yet again! No pic for this entry. Hats off to Lynds who under insane pain from the previous day dragged herself up and down the mountain today... And put up with my bitching... She's my hero fur sur. Think I'll take her for dinner tonight... Shhhhhhhh don't tell her.

Nar shred at LL

2009-03-18T15:59:00.000-04:00

Woo hoo!!!

On the way to Banff

2009-03-18T13:46:00.001-04:00

Norquay was great yesterday and despite the fresh pow in Sunshine, we're opting for Lake Louise and the amazing views, although in this part of the world amazing becomes a relative term.

See what I mean, still trying to find an adjective that properly describes this place.

Norquay

2009-03-17T12:58:00.001-04:00

So far so great... Wish y'all were here!

Breakfest of Champs

2009-03-17T10:53:00.001-04:00

Did you expect anything else?

Rimrock

2009-03-16T21:23:00.001-04:00

So after lunch at the exclusive American eatery Denny's, we stopped by Canmore for adult beverages and now made it to Banff.

This is our view... Wicked!!!

Yes Leomard, that is a Nisaan GTR!!! Looking to pinch it before I leave.

Lynds is scanning the book for activities...

While I enjoy a beer...

While watching the Simpsons... Best vacation ever!

First shots...

2009-03-16T18:35:00.000-04:00

We made it...

2009-03-16T15:32:00.001-04:00

And then a gay dinosaurs showed up! Calgary is random.

Oh ze plane...

2009-03-16T15:23:00.001-04:00

Holy crap, on demand Fam Guy, and it's a Herbert heavy episode...

Sadly when a tap map this is what shows up.

Just as surprising, Max Payne!

Anyhoo, downloaded some good stuff yesterday, gonna watch that instead.

No map, can't tell you what that is, I'll wager it's... Um... Tunder Bay!

Paper Planes... Ty air Canada!

We're off...

2009-03-16T10:42:00.001-04:00

Yeah, we're talking off... Nice widescreen, bigger than westjet. Gotta go, flight attendants think my iPhone will eff up the plane.

En Retard

2009-03-16T09:54:00.001-04:00

Lynds and I are burning time as our flight is delayed until 10:30.

Amazed at all the ads, what I would give for phros real life ad blocker.

Raaaa-Rooooooo

2009-03-16T09:09:00.001-04:00

Guys with green vests working on the plane and luggage ain't moving... But I'm sure that's normal right?!?! Delay has begun!

Bye Toronto

2009-03-16T08:29:00.000-04:00

Follow along at home... AC171

Air Canada's Manditory Rape

2009-03-16T08:02:00.001-04:00

8 Lbs. over on the luggage, 75$ Lighter... The best quote was the question, "do you want to try and get rid of the extra weight?" I guess I could've ate my clothes.

Banff / Calgary 09

2009-03-16T07:13:00.000-04:00

On the way to the airport, Cabbie is the whitest Russian I've ever seen... Err... heard!

And then, an earthquake came!

Dead Weather on the Horizon…

2009-03-13T01:51:00.002-04:00

Jack White’s musical ADD has struck again as the White Stripes front man has started another band. This past Wednesday, White hosted a gathering in Nashville to preview his newest band The Dead Weather.

The new group features White along with Alison Mosshart of The Kills, Dean Fertita of Queens of the Stone Age and Jack Lawrence of The Greenhornes.

Sheryl Crow, Martina McBride and Meg White joined 150 guests who were on hand for a small performance previewing songs that will be on an album to be released in June. Afterward, White said the group began as friends getting together to make music. “The idea was to do a 7-inch single and be done with it, but we started writing songs and something happened.”

The Dead Weather are said to have plans to tour this year, more info to come.

Buy a Ticket, Get an Album…

2009-02-18T12:02:00.001-05:00

Times are tough for just about everyone these days, so if you’re one of the lucky few who actually score a ticket to Coldplay’s upcoming stadium tour the band is going to hook you up. As reported on NME, Coldplay front-man Chris Martin revealed their plans to give away a live album if you hit up one of their upcoming shows.

Notorious for upgrading nose bleed tickets to front row, Martin reveals “It's obviously a bit tricky in terms of record contracts and things but it would be great. It’s a way of saying thank you. It's a tough economy and people are paying a lot of money for tickets… when you hand your ticket in at the door, you get given the recording. It would be such a cool thing to do.”

But there’s a catch, as there always is, the fall stadium tour only makes the rounds in the UK during September and no North American dates are set. But given the steady increase of music piracy in the UK, up 8% in 2007-2008, you can likely find a copy of the free album before concertgoers do. And it’s not stealing if it’s free in the first place… is it?

Obama and Kumar

2009-01-25T23:59:00.004-05:00

BO - "How's the breathe Kumar?"

KP - "I don't think anyone will smell it on you sir."

Vader Wins!

2009-01-20T03:46:00.002-05:00

Change

2009-01-20T03:27:00.000-05:00

I Think I'm in Love

2009-01-13T11:52:00.006-05:00

Think all gaming chairs are created equal? If you said yes, you’re a pop culture retard… and you also haven’t seen this. Canadian company Novelquest created the Ferrari of gaming chairs. For a mere $39950USD all their base can belong to you when you pwn in the Emperor.

Explaining the standard equipment specs are useless, Novelquest will slap literally any system (MAC/PC/Linux) into this bad boy. The amount of features the chair offers is virtually endless and any further attempt at an explanation would be futile. Let’s just say the Borg made this chair for Jesus and he thought it would be kewl to share.

2008 Concert of the Year

2008-12-18T05:13:00.008-05:00

You can catch this and other great music news on offthedial.ca and remember if you want to win a 100$ iTunes gift card, get your ass over to off thedial.ca

This article is about breaking tradition, so I’ll keep with the theme and break the rule about concert of the year. I wasn’t physically in the audience for this show but watched it live online. Regardless, I would be remiss not to write about it because even sitting a world away it was perfect.

When the headliners were announced for the 2008 Glastonbury Festival the one name that jumped off the page was hip hop mogul Jay-Z. Although other genres have shared the same stage as the rockers at Glastonbury, hip hop had never headlined the annual event and the inclusion of Jay-Z sent ripples across the British music scene.

Many critics saw Jay-Z and hip hop as anti-Glastonbury and even Oasis front man Noel Gallagher weighed in saying “I'm sorry, but Jay-Z? No chance.... I'm not having hip hop at Glastonbury. It's wrong.” The controversy picked up steam as ticket sales were slow, leaving the show 3000 tickets shy of a sell-out the day of. Jay-Z addressed the controversy in the Sun newspaper saying “People have that passion and have an opinion about who should perform there (Glastonbury). But the world changes and we have to embrace the change.”

It was a balmy night that June 28th in the fields of Worthy Farm, a video montage played clips of world leaders, cut to make them look as if they were discussing the controversy. Jay-Z then took to the Pyramid Stage, strumming a guitar and singing the Oasis hit “Wonderwall”. The music world would never be the same again. A barrier was being shattered that night with no gimmicks, no anticipated guest spots and no entourage; just one man and a backing band. The set was furious, with a delivery seldom heard in hip hop. And as the set was ending Jay-Z addressed the crowd exclaiming “They told me you weren't into hip-hop!?” 100,000 people roared showing their appreciation in a moment that will go down in music history.

Although only six months have passed since Glastonbury, many in the hip hop world consider Jay-Z’s appearance among the most important shows of the genres history. Noel Gallagher later complained his Jay-Z comments were misquoted; obviously poetic justice is alive and well. Even if you don’t dig hip hop, find a way to see this set.

2008 Album of the Year

2008-12-18T03:33:00.006-05:00

You can catch this and other great music news on offthedial.ca and remember kids, the following editorial represents the views of the writer.

2008 was filled with old bands epitomizing all that’s wrong with the music industry. With half hearted attempts at rekindling former fame; these classic bands depended more on fan nostalgia than content. Thankfully the indie music scene saw a boom and bands like MGMT and Vampire Weekend released promising first albums that deserve a mention.

Be that as it may, my selection for album of the year, by a wide margin, is “Only by the Night” by Kings of Leon. Finding success in the UK for years, the Tennessee quartet finally broke through their own country when first single Sex on Fire bounced Katy Perry's pink pop “I Kissed a Girl” from the #1 spot on singles chart.

A raw, energetic album, “Only by the Night” takes listeners on an emotional journey into young love, sex and drugs evident by songs like Closer, Manhattan and the aforementioned Sex on Fire. The guitar play between cousins Caleb and Matthew Followill doesn’t reinvent the wheel, but certainly exemplifies the rhythm and blues inspiration the band has picked up living in the Deep South.

Although slammed by critics in the United States, “Only by the Night” has garnered three Grammy nominations and has enjoyed wildly successful critical acclaim in the UK and on the web. Q Magazine and Spin both gave the album 4 of 5 stars and with a perfect score from The Guardian, the Kings clearly show how out of touch the mainstream American media truly are.

Next up... Concert of the year. And if you want to win a 100$ iTunes gift card, get your ass over to Off The Dial.ca

Monday Morning Quarterback…

2008-12-16T05:07:00.001-05:00

Perhaps I’m writing this to supplement the lack of sports fans at the day job, but every Monday (when I remember) I’ll post a weekly blog venting about sports.

Needless to say, economic times are tough and the sports world is certainly not immune to the financial crunch. Last week, the NHL held its annual board of governors meetings in Palm Beach, FL. The number one topic of discussion was the economy and in particular teams “haemorrhaging” cash. The meetings gave the opportunity for all of the NHL owners/executives to establish a realistic landscape for which their teams are doing business in. Obviously, any preliminary discussions on strategies will remain within the walls of conference rooms but I can’t help but find some irony in NHL executives spending a week at a five star resort discussing the “hard” economic times.

Staying with hockey, their something very sad about the possibility Henrik Lundqvist, Tim Thomas or Ryan Miller will likely not play in this year’s All Star game thanks to Montreal fans and their ballot stuffing. You see Carey 41 times a year, don’t you want the best at the All Star game?

On to the gridiron, if I had a pick for NFL MVP and I don’t, I would pick Adrian Peterson. Minnesota are playoff bound with no number one quarterback, this is a lock in my eyes. But what do I know?

Also in dumb athlete news, Giants are 0-2 without Plaxico Burress, coincidence?

In MMA, The Ultimate Fighter season 8 had their finale this weekend. Junie Browning beat up on Dave Kaplan for fight of the night. Like his antics or not, Browning is talented.

In the main events, Efrain Escuerdo surprised the MMA world by defeating highly touted Phillipe Nover. Compared to champion George St. Pierre, Nover was neutralized by the pace and tactics of Escuerdo as he took a unanimous decision. In the co-headliner Ryan Bader delivered a first round knockout to Abu Dabi champion Vinicius Magalhaes. Bader’s power was too much for the hit shy Magalhaes.

In the NBA, can anyone stop a Lakers Celtics final?

Canadian Internets Explained...

2008-11-20T20:07:00.004-05:00

I’m rarely embarrassed to be Canadian. From maple syrup to Hockey, Beer to Elisha Cuthbert, all are pretty awesome exports. Sadly I’m reaching for that Australian flag to slap on my laptop because today Canadian telecom regulators ruled in favour of Bell Canada’s “right” to shape internet traffic on lines that are leased out to third party ISP’s.

Why does this suck so bad? Stupid question but let me explain.

Think of Canada as a city… for most of my American friends this won’t be hard… and in that city you have two gangs who control most of the internets. The Bloods (Rogers), who are the kind of dealers that will slip you a few freebies, then make you pay double when you’re hooked on the good stuff. And the Crypts (Bell) who provide internets on their own, but also collect from their Runners (Third Party ISP’s) to deal their internets, thus making them look less like an evil douche.

Both the Crypts and the Bloods limit how much internets their own users get. The Crypts also limit how much internets their Runners get to sell. But this starts to piss off the internet junkies. Their paying the runners for an ounce of internets and getting it one gram a day.

The Runners would love to help out the junkies, but they buy internet from the Crypts. Feeling the junkies rage and immanent uprising, the Runners put in a call to the Don. The Don (CRTC Regulators) hates getting calls from the stupid Runners, it takes away from the golf and hookers and books about war. But being a fair Don, he calls the Crypts and Runners up to the office to talk a little business.

The Crypts explain that the Runners are offering up pure internet for next to nothing. If this continues Canadians will start overdosing on that pure internet and they’ll start stealing media from the Don’s rich downstairs neighbours. One thing leads to another and poof no more internets left and the losers downstairs will be uber pissed!

The Don may not believe the internets are running out, but can’t stand dealing with the asshole neighbours. The Don decides that since the Crypts are selling their own particular internets, the Runners and Junkies will have to deal with getting it a little at a time. The Don’s also not thrilled with the Crypts for wasting his time so he also agrees to look into the matter further but has lots of hookers to go through and it’ll be a few months.

The moral of the story is… maybe the downstairs neighbours should ease up on acting like assholes and maybe no one would care if I overdose on internets!

The Champ Is Here...

2008-11-20T18:18:00.003-05:00

May 25th 1965, Ali pwn's Liston with a sweet solo of DragonForce's "Through the Fire and Flames"

Nixon the Cheat...

2008-11-13T20:02:00.004-05:00

Of all the low down dirty things Nixon did during his presidency this is the most outrageous… FOOT FOUL!!!

Don't Dump Your G/F at the Movies!

2008-11-12T19:26:00.002-05:00

I don’t claim to be the barometer for right and wrong… only for awesome and suck, well this one chalks right up there on the awesome-o-meter… actually it does quite well on the ol’ suck-o-meter as well.

Not to sound cliché, but it all started with a normal trip to the movies. Me and the pHro hit the latest Guy Richie flick “Rock’n’Rolla”. After the obligatory 20$ large popcorn, large soda combo we settled into our seats, hardly expecting the shit storm only thirty minutes away.

The movie was humming along, very Guy Richie pace, when during a fairly dramatic scene I heard what sounded like muffled laughter. This is a movie theatre and I’m not oblivious to the fact that kids these days will fuk just about anywhere, so I chalked it up to a little “popcorn tickle.” Shortly thereafter I realised that what I thought was muffled laughter was actually muffled sobbing and what’s worse, it was in the frequency of the female mammal, natures scariest creature. Curiosity got the best of me and I turned to look over my shoulder, I mean, she could’ve fallen or something.

The scene was priceless as the young girl, head in hands, sobbed uncontrollably while her newly acquired ex-boyfriend looks off into space, obviously reconsidering his decision of spending 13$ on a movie ticket and 10$ on popcorn for a girl he was obviously uninterested in.

Unfortunately for the rest of us, Mr. Douche Bag made zero attempts at consoling the upset girl and sadly this is when things get really good… er bad. Why? Because only five seats away from this poor girl was everyone’s favourite passive aggressive loser, none other than Angry White Guy at the movies.

Angry white guy at the movies is the guy who wouldn’t say shit if you cut in front of him in line, but with all the lights out ambiguity becomes this losers cloaking device. “You want to take the fucking sobbing outside!” exclaimed the AWG. It’s not bad enough this poor girl just got her walking papers at the movies, but now she is surly on the verge of switching teams as another man makes sure everyone else in the theatre knows she’s getting the dump.

The crying stopped and the audience continued to watch the flick. Twenty minutes later God wanted to take this whole night into WTF mode as the crying girl slowly made her way down the stairs towards the exit. She stops in front of an exit and looks back to find her new ex will not be accompanying her on her way out. It was at that moment where I noticed the exit she was standing in front of was the emergency exit. As she stood there I couldn’t help but think “please God, let her open that door!” as the obvious outcome of an emergency siren was sure to follow.

But in a moment of brilliance and clarity, the crying girl decides to stand and wait vigilantly for the man who started this cavalcade of follies to come on down and accept the inevitable tirade that was waiting for him. Mr. Douche Bag gets the message and I’m sure figured another interruption to the movie would see him fitted into a new body cast. His walk down those stairs was a walk every man has had to endure for an idea so flawless in contemplation yet so irreparable in execution. The couple leave and the movie completes without interruption.

Demo

2008-11-02T13:17:00.002-05:00

Bedroom Rending

- 3D Modelling (3D Studio Max)

- Textures (Photoshop)

MLSE

- Production via (Photoshop CS3)

Sign of the times...

2008-10-29T03:57:00.000-04:00

This video sums it all up...

http://ybpguide.com/2008/10/27/wassup-08-video/

Diary of a Video Game Junkie

2008-09-23T01:47:00.001-04:00

Okay, okay, okay...

I should probably be shot for admitting I'm watching G4, but perhaps more embarrassing is that I'm watching Attack of the Show. YES... I KNOW... Attack is a tech show and only talks about games when "pubes chin guy" is throwing to Morgan Webb for the daily Xplay teaser... an experience leaving Ms. Webb as visibly disturbed as we all are for watching it.... but I'm getting off topic... what was my point...

OH YEAH, it's Tits McGee the singular reason why I watch Attack; and surprise, surprise it's not for her astute opinions on technology. But seriously... whatthefuck is with not broadcasting in high def?!?!?! Doesn't it defeat the purpose of calling yourselves "tech" television when I gots to watch ol' Tits prance around and fake her way through the latest Firefox release in regular definition? If you're going to insult my intellect, while rubbing my balls, the least you could do is throw it on high def... assholes!

Diary of a Video Game Junkie

2008-09-17T00:53:00.002-04:00

Debugging the Fanboy

Somewhere, some dumb fuck coined the phrase “console wars” referring to the current generation of video game consoles… sorry… I had to go off and laugh for a bit; I find it funny for a subculture synonymous with passive aggressive, homophobic rhetoric to call anything a war, much less one centred around an inanimate object.

Unfortunately, this fodder created the biggest bonfire of bullshit ever spewed forth from the faithful unwashed masses. Speculation and lies far outweigh any real news when it comes to console development and sadly none of the three console manufacturers give a flying frak about game developer’s much less pathetic end users.

The main objective of the Ninxbony’s of the world is to market their console to you the retard, um… I mean end user, thus making money. Because as we all know, once you buy into the marketing hype you belong to a super special club more commonly known as the “fanboy.” With twice the intensity of a one legged girls cheerleading team, you’ve been given full right to take any positive comment towards your brand as gospel and any negative attack as a personal vendetta against you, your family and everything you hold near.

It’s not that fanboys don’t have a right to cheer for their horse, but remember when we gave a fuck about those discs that actually go into the consoles, what are those things called again…

Game development is at its lowest creative point in decades. It used to be that developers could pitch a game about a pencil stabbing, Dairy Queen employee, riding a unicorn through post apocalyptic Sacramento killing enemies strangely resembling Dick Cheney and the entire conference room would celebrate with a hookers and blow party.

Now most pitch meetings are filled with studio writers and their respected legal council, usually ending in a pledge of allegiance to Satan and a vow to continue to tear down the gaming industry one game at a time. Imagination has been thrown out the window in place of familiarity. Stories void of any real discovery because what’s there to discover when you already know the outcome of the plot?

Since we live in a police state formally known as democracy, everyone has the limited freedom to cheer for or rip on anything we want. Fanboys won’t be going anywhere, but perhaps some of them will stop arguing the virtues of Cell versus Multi-Core and start asking “hey, why the fuck is this game just like everything else?”

Hello World 2.0

2008-08-28T18:58:00.001-04:00

Sure it's a ripped up template, but whatever with your however.

Diary of a Video Game Junkie…

2008-05-04T12:59:00.004-04:00

Hi I’m Nic… and I’m hooked on GTA4. I guess it all started when I was a kid with Duck Hunt.

I should’ve paid more attention to those after school specials warning of arguments over how far from the TV to shoot and the laughing dog that can never be killed. To this day that fucking dog is the Bain of my existence. You just keep shooting him and SHOOTING HIM, AND THE LITTLE FUCKER JUST SITS THERE, LAUGHING AT YOU!!!

Sorry about that. You always think “Hey, it’s just a little Duck Hunt; it’s not like I’m on the hard stuff.” Knowing all of it are LIES! A few years go by and before you know it you’ve jumped up to GoldenEye.

What I could do with a PP7 would blow your fucking mind. Large chunks of my life are lost to blurred memories of all night multiplayer matches. Sure Mountain Dew might numb the pain, but the calices on my thumbs will never go away.

You start hanging around some pretty shifty people when you get that low. I met this guy named Snake. Snake was the one who introduced me to Metal Gear Solid. I started sneaking around to get my high. It was like I was a different person; I would creep up behind someone and off them without a second thought.

By then I was in so deep Halo wasn’t more than a few feet away from me at all times. Ahhhh Halo. I knew it was wrong, but sniping someone from my perch high above felt so right. I can still hear the voices of the children trying Halo for the first time, “HEY!!! How’d you kill me?!?! You’re such a cheeser, HACKER! HACKER!!

For a while I thought I could quit cold turkey. I tried everything. Actually going to work, getting drunk every night, I even resorted to smoking weed but nothing worked. Soon I could feel the Gears of War grinding in my skull and I couldn’t resist.

I guess that brings me to now. GTA4 is killing me. I can’t eat, I can’t sleep, and all I keep doing are those damn missions. And yesterday, I figured out you don’t have to do the missions. You can just go around and do whatever the fuck you want. I started having daydreams of running people down in my “Tarcel”, using rocket propelled grenades to blow up just one guy and going on the kind of murderous rampage Liberty City has never seen!!!

And that’s why I’m here. Um… I guess I’ll sit down now. Thanks for letting me share.

Fighting the Future...

2008-04-16T17:15:00.002-04:00

Working on a spanking new blog... one that ya know isn't on Blogger.