Gone to the UK

Sunday morning. Very sporadic.Saturday night...Fifa and lots of beer. Not a bad way to spend a cold saturday night. It was great to have everyone over for lots of laughs and again lots of beer.But when someone starts calling on the shots of tequila and Jack Daniels...well that is where it can get messy.All I really wanted to say today was the "Munka" is in London, UK, having a blast.I am still here holding down the fort until the return.I have always wanted to head to Europe in the winter. I know that I have always said that if you are going to vacation in the winter, why oh why would you head to another winter destination. It is crazy,...

Read more »

Been a long time.

Well it has been a long time since we have had the opportunity to converse in this manner.But that is ok. We are like old friends. Always open, always understanding.What has been going on...well a lot has been going on. But the one thing that I have done is paid attention to the intricacies of the bigger picture. And this is where this entry comes from.The new Raptors season is going to be a tough ride. Understanding that we are re-building, but at the same time trying to put out a decent team that can compete is going to be a stretch at some points of this season.Here is a quick shot of a decent pick and roll that although executed by the...

Read more »

The Stillness is a move...

Last nights show at the Opera house highlighting the musical styling of Brooklyn's own Dirty Projectors was an exquisite display of musical knowledge and mastery.Lead singer Dave Longstreth showed his exceptional guitar work and that was matched in intensity from all of the other band mates. From the amazing harmonies from Angel Derodoorian (Keyboard, Vocals), Amber Coffman (Guitar, vocals) and Haley Deckle. The rhythm section Brian McOmber (Drums) and Nat Baldwin created the structure for the band.It was a great show highlighting the extensive catalogue of songs they have accumulated through their ascent on indie experimental music. All of...

Read more »

are you fit for TIFF?

"I need to have my tea and then we can get started...."That is all she has to say and as I back off and look at the tea cup in front of me, wondering why the milk and the sugar have not danced themselves into the bottom of the white porcelain cup waiting for me to pour the steeped blend of nigeria's finest tea leaves harvested by Mr Lipton himself.We need to start looking at the films that we need to be a part of for this years TIFF festival!Well looking through some of the listings and the schedules, this year's list of films look very impressive! From including the screening of Orson Welles, Citizen Kane within the essential films category...

Read more »

What's coming up?

As the weather beckons fall jackets, sweaters and jumpers, it is looking as though someone is inviting themselves to the party. The start of school and kids heading back to the realms of study is an indication of fall. It is a far cry from trying to believe that we are going to get a crack of summer. But as I write this, believing that somehow mother nature will prove me wrong, I realize that I shouldn't be egging it on either, so why not change speeds and take a look at events coming up...September:Jamie Lidell with Zeus September 14th @ Lee'sDirty Projectors September 15th @ Opera HouseLand of Talk Sept 16th @ Lee's PalaceCaribou with Russian...

Read more »

Kali Mera, Kali Spera, Kali Nikta

Just a quick hello to all.We are back from Greece and things couldn't be better.Lots of sun, lots of sand and lots of travel.It was great to be out and experiencing the world.I think that we both have a rejuvenated fervour for travel and cannot wait for the next adventure.Paraka...

Read more »

Tibetan Momo and hot sauce!

The weekend came and went and a great weekend at that.Things happened all around us. Caribana, civic long weekend, and the throngs of tourists and visitors to the city. The heat and the sun all brought together quite an enjoyable weekend.The weekend was a blur from parties, to late night bike riding to a wonderful dinner at the mansion. But it was also a learning weekend as well.I was able to find out more about my bike and have fine tuned it to where I need it to be more functional with an overall improvement to performance. I am very happy.I am also happy to say that we tried a little bit of a sampling of Tibetan food. We had a few Tibetan...

Read more »

OFFICIAL RELEASE: THE STICKMEN BRIGADE LOGO

Monday August 2nd: Civic Holiday in Canada & The Official Release of the Stickmen Brigade LogoLonger than anticipated in the making, but alas we have arrived!The logo depicts our world under construction and the ongoingproduction of the Stickmen Brigade blog.Arya and Denton sit perched, head-on, throwing down ideas...creating.We are the created but we are also creators!-Arya and DentonStickmen at W...

Read more »

Bus stop challenge

Good morning,The dilemma that we are facing today is a money issue. It is not that we come from old money, blood money, or have an exorbitant amount of money stashed away for the cheap frills in life. That is why certain things need to change. If we are going to be able to save money and get the things in life we really want.... the challenge must be issued.Background:Typical Cab to work: $20 with tip to the cabbie$20 a day x 5 days a week = 100/week on trips in a cab to work$100 a week x 4 weeks a month = $400/month (based on a 4 week month)$400/month x 12 months a year = 4800/year for cabs just going to work!Typical Transit scenario $20 for 8 tokens10 tokens a week$25 x 4 weeks a month = $100 for a months tokens$100 x 12 months - 1200 a year on tokens for the full year1200 x 2 = 2400...

Read more »

Greece is for Kings and Queens

If you were going to Greece, where would you go?It is great following the cities of economic crumble due to the European and North American economic collapses.Makes things a bit cheaper on the wallet, but it allows attainable access to some of the worlds most sought after destinations.So again....where would you go or where would you spend the majority of your time hidden away in Greece?Would you play in the lifestyle that is Athens. The home of all the history and decor of ancient civilization. But Greece remains a city of contradictions, as trying as it is seductive. I believe that there is a architectural hopscotch where some areas are run down and may even be a little more palatable as the sun goes down. The riots that plagued the street marking the breaking moment for civil unrest...

Read more »

Fancy Footwork

Make your mind up...get ready and go.That is all you need to do. That is all that you want to do. Great ride today. Hit the main streets and pounded that pavement into submission.The one thing that I fail to realize about our great city is that in Vancouver they always talk about riding the sea wall and being that close to the pacific and being right at the ocean. Now before I go any further I want to make clear that I am not stating that riding by Lake Ontario is by any means a substantial parallel to riding beside the pacific ocean, but "Backwards was my shirt, against the grain", I feel I can enjoy my experiences.The lake is great, there is nothing like being near the water. Water is our everything. It is all what we long to be around and essentially it is what we need to live.Music,...

Read more »

Whip it...Whip it Good!

Here is a music review I came across for the new album by Devo. Yes, definitely the 80's are back in full swing, I have pulled out of the big box my white t-shirt in big black bold print donning "CHOOSE LIFE". I just had no idea that Devo still had something left in the tank. Thank you to RIP IT UP and MD for this review. DEVOSOMETHING FOR EVERYBODY (WARNER) REVIEWED 15.07.2010 Almost 40 years since their formation in Ohio and 20 years after their last studio offering, 1990’s Smooth Noodle Maps, comes this collection of a dozen new tracks by four of the five members of the original Devo line-up, complete with the expected pop-arty CD design...

Read more »

System System

Hey....Ya you... Hey....over here....HEY! What you don't hear me? What is this? Can't you hear me? Damn...alright...ok...you win. I think that I am over-reacting....no....well maybe....but....if....ok, ok, I am over-reacting. Just hear me out. Just came across an awesome chart that goes over how some of us feel in our everyday lives. So if you are charting out into unexplored waters today, kudos to you. Enjoy the fear and embrace it to discover what is on the otherside. Hey if you fall short of your goal, don't worry no one said you were a fucking wizard. Did you say "Fucking"? dent...

Read more »

MOCCA - Free for the rest of 2010!

Attention Stickmen Brigade ,A quick hit for all those out there that are like my partner and I. For those that are interested and those that want to be stimulated, here is a great piece of information for the creative at heart.MOCCA, or the Museum of Contemporary Canadian Art announces FREE admission for the remainder of 2010!!The press release states:TORONTO, Ont., June 8, 2010 - The Museum of Contemporary Canadian Art is delighted to announce that admission to MOCCA for the remainder of 2010 will be FREE thanks to the generous support of the Hal Jackman Foundation. MOCCA hopes that this initiative will increase opportunities for audiences...

Read more »

A Thought-Provoking Moment

With the rain comes…..Thought of the Day!The essence of Destiny. Watch your thoughts, for they become words. Choose your words, for they become actions. Understand your actions, they become habits. Study your habits, for they will become your character. Develop your character, for it becomes your destiny...And thats all she wro...

Read more »

Pavement/BSS Toronto Island Festival

On the heels of some great NXNE performances, we had the opportunity to engage in some extra-curricular activity on Saturday.The best and worst thing about NXNE is that there are so many bands playing in the city, bars/clubs are open until 4AM and it is non-stop party for 5 days straight! With that in mind it makes it difficult for the hard core night owl to get themselves up and ready for a full day of music, beer and beach balls on a sun soaked saturday. But for those of us that had heard the rumour that the first 250 NXNE wristband holders would receive FREE entrance into one of the most anticipated shows of the summer, you have to make the...

Read more »

Souvlaki dinner and smoothies

As the weekend comes to an end, what a great weekend it was. It involved everything from Superheroes to ogres and a fairy tale land.But in order to enjoy the last bits of the weekend before you have to put your energy towards the work week, here is a little recipe treat that will help begin your week right.Game 5 Smoothie2 parts Strawberry1 part Blueberry1 part RaspberryBit of orange juice1 part yogurt (vanilla or plain, we used vanilla)WHIR!It was a great way to end a "super" filled weekend.Welcome world cup!Go Spain and Netherlan...

Read more »

Golden Dogs not Lou Dawgs

Good evening.Well just sitting back and having a listen of the 2007 release of the Golden Dogs Big Eye, Little Eye. What a wonderful little piece of musical experience. The golden dogs are a fantastic band that seem to have the inklings of amazing possibility. We will not claim to know all that there is to know about these local boys, but we am certain that the music is spot on.We always find ourselves getting an overwhelming feeling when bands cover songs done by the Beatles. Things can go so right, when the moons align and the voices harmonize, guitars synergize, it is pure and sweet popification. But really, it is a great experience when someone...

Read more »

The ride must go on!

Well...The weekend came and went and the rain was a soggy mess. It tried to dampen the spirits of the 2 adventurous riders. It may have stopped the initial attempt, but as soul II soul would say.."Keep on movin' don't stop no!"So what have we decided to do? Well here it is:We will be taking on the same distance, the same direction but this time the outcome is going to be fantastic.Can the two heroes conquer what they said they were going to do?Will the weather play a part in derailing our two young heroes?All these questions and more will be covered in the upcoming segments. Plus an exclusive interview with both riders as they prepare for...

Read more »

THE WINTER OF MIXED DRINKS: MAY 4 2010

As we walked out of the humble abode that we call home, I flash back to the days I spent in Barcelona. Why Barcelona? I remember wandering through La Ramblas trying to pass time before I had to get on my plane and seeing the concert poster of the Frightened Rabbits. It was too bad that my flight was leaving that night and the concert was a few days away, but I knew that one day, I would get the chance. ‘Sing the Greys’ and ‘The Midnight Organ Fight’ were two fantastic albums that only left me wanting more. 2010 was the year in which we received ‘The Winter of Mixed Drinks’. As we made our way to the spectacular Opera House on the east...

Read more »

Exit through the gift shop

"The greatest crimes in the world are not committed by people breaking the rules but by people following the rules. It's people who follow orders who drop bombs and massacre villages." -BanksyThe movie drops 05.07.10. YYZmore to follow...trailer anyo...

Read more »

LOAFERS & LATE NIGHTS...

Denton: Fastest way to spend $30 in 40 minutesARYA: poutinis? no way! DIY!Denton: Why walk there...when you could double someone on...no not the BMX...let's go with the mountain bikeARYA: We go, go, go. All the way down Roncy. But wait...whats this? A new gallery? Could it really be? Paper mache robots!ARYA: But wait...Paper mache robots AND shoes!!! Are you kidding me...a store with all these shoes and all this chaos!Denton: It was a vintage store filled with shoes from 1920-1998 and everything in between. Mens style loafers, womens wedge heal and different arrays of knock-off Birkenstocks that it was shocking. I was able to find a very...

Read more »

Zeus Replay

0 false 18 pt 18 pt 0 0 false false false /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0cm; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;} 0...

Read more »

State of the Nation Address

Good evening.This is a call for creativity.For all those waiting. For those that don't know, or for the ingloriously ignorant, we salute you. We praise you and we now welcome you to the Brigade.This is a partnership, a collaboration. We are here to claim what is rightfully ours.It's tempting to look back on these moments and assume that our progress was inevitable -– that the Brigade was always destined to succeed. But when the Brigade was turned back initially, and the nay sayers first appeared, victory was very much in doubt. When the creative rights marchers were hindered by the deconstruction of creative freedom, the future was anything...

Read more »