Turn Down that infernal noise!!!!

Knock Knock.

Conceirge:
Excuse me Mr. Goh, You've received a noise complaint.

Me:
No problem I'll turn it down. Is it the lady below?


Conceirge:
I'm not supposed to say. (Smiles at me and nods yes)

Sounds like my purchase over the weekend was a good one. I love my new guitar amp! How appropriate too. I was in the middle of a rocking rendition of Bryan Adam's "Please Forgive Me".

I've come to realize something. A revelation in fact. The crazy lady below is like the stereotypical parent that tells you to "turn off that racket!!!"

Which is actually really funny. My parents are the complete opposite. It's not like they were hippies and listened to Classic Rock 24/7 or anything. In fact, my mom likes Korean Soap soundtracks, Michael Buble and other such music, and my Dad, well, doesn't really even listen to anything really.

I was however super fortunate to have parents that supported my musical creativity. They encouraged me to take up band, and didn't freak out when I told them I wanted to learn the guitar, especially electric guitar. They in fact, taught me a valuable lesson. They made me save up money to buy my first guitar, which I now realize was an important life lesson, and once they knew that it wasn't just a "phase", gladly paid for weekly lessons. They encouraged me and watched me use music as a creative outlet which eventually launched my career in retail.

A few years later I came home with a set of drums. The ultimate test of their patience. Never did they complain. I don't ever remember once. My mom would walk into the room with her hands over her ears while I was bashing away to hand me the phone when I had a phone call.
How lucky am I?

It's the same thing at my friends place where he built a mini studio. I keep all my louder gear there, luckily for the crazy lady below. Mr and Mrs. Toren are super cool with us making noise every Sunday, and have very musically gifted children because they encourage us. I guess it helps that we don't suck anymore. Mrs. Toren even told me once after our jam, "You guys sound really good. I like the Coldplay song." Haha. You've got to love that. They're definitely getting a Christmas present from me this year.

So next time I get a noise complaint about me rocking out on my piano or guitar, I'll have to tell the concierge to let the lady below know one important thing.

I take requests.

Youtube meets AppleTV

You can now get Youtube on AppleTV. Now don't get me wrong, I love Apple. They are by far one of the most influential consumer electronics companies of the last 25 years but AppleTV so far has been quite a disappointment. There's no good content strategy yet. Where's the HD content? If the unit only is compatible with High Definition Televisions why is there no High Def Apple TV content available?

The Youtube thing is cool but you're going to watch super low-def streaming videos on a HDTV? That makes it look ultra-crappy. It's not easy to crack either which is too bad, if the file formats that iTunes would accept would be more compatible with other video formats they would have sold a crap load more. Especially for Porn. Which is how they should have marketed this whole device in the first place. Watch porn on your bigscreen TV streamed via your PC or MAC. Instant gold. Cha-ching. I can hear the cash register noises sounding off. Alas, it's just a thought and Apple would never market that way to the public. They appeal to the masses young and old, and families. Plus there's the whole Disney and Pixar thing... Would make for a great spoof though.

Don Cherry & Brett Hull On NBC

Never been the biggest fan of Don Cherry... but he was pretty decent with Brett Hull during the 2nd intermission of NBC telecast of Game 4 of the Stanley Cup finals. First they have a good tirade on fighting and the instigator rule. Then an awesome mini argument about kicking motion goals. Cherry, who usually gets the shots tossed at him subtly by Ron Mclean, burns Brett Hull with a jab about the foot in the crease from the controversial Dallas Stanley Cup win in 98-99 Season. That was decent television. I say more Hull and Cherry, do it again.

Ladies of Vancouver Rejoice: Taylor Pyatt signs 2 Year Deal

For all you ladies out there, you won't have to worry anymore. "Pretty Eyes" will return for 2 more seasons to the Vancouver Canucks.

CKNW radio in Vancouver reports that the Canucks and forward Taylor Pyatt have agreed on a a two-year deal worth over $3 million US.

Here that ladies? He's rich too. The big 25 year old 6'4" winger will likely continue to capitalize on his breakout year playing with the Sedin twins on the top line. Pyatt brings a physical presence, to their line with some decent foot speed for his size and a soft hands that netted him 23 goals last year. He'll need to step up his consistency level to earn his new contract, but I don't doubt he will be up to the challenge. He reminds me of a young Bertuzzi, without the lazy back-check. He wasn't afraid to drop the gloves and when he threw his weight around he was a dominant force. I like Nonis tying him up for the next little while and unlike Anson Carter, Pyatt was smart to realize that continuing to play with the Sedins will probably net him a chance to earn more money in the long run.

Here's Pyatt taking on an NHL Heavy Weight Jim Vandermeer: