Final Fantasy

I think I've mentioned this guy before in this space, but in the last few days I've been getting a real kick out of listening to Final Fantasy (violinist/songwriter Owen Pallett, not the video game). The main reason for the recent burst of attention is that a song of his was featured on CBC's The National Playlist (which I've also mentioned recently).

The song featured was "This is the Dream of Win & Regine", and luckily enough, I was able to find a video (~24MB, Quicktime), which is in itself very interesting. The live production, though, is far more entertaining, as you get to see and hear each layer recorded, looped, sometimes in reverse, and added to the mix, all right there in front of you.

And if you're in the mood for more downloading, the new version of Firefox (1.5, that is) is out.

Grey Cup thoughts...

A few thoughts on tonight's game from Vancouver.

1. Paul Martin came out for the opening coin toss and got booed:

   Prime Minister Paul Martin got the honour of going out to mid-field for the pre-game coin toss – where the 59,195 people in attendance roundly booed him.

   Sure, non-confidence and all that, but to me that was pretty classless.
2. The first half was pretty boring.
3. The half-time act (yes, they did "My Humps") was awful. It almost made you wish for Shania Twain or Bryan Adams. Update: A few who agree with me. And a dissenting opinion.
   
4. The second half was excellent.
5. Overtime was even better. I went in rooting for Edmonton and they got the win, but it was just a great game overall.

For those who don't want to click through on the link, didn't watch the game, and come here first for your sports news, Edmonton beat Montreal 38-35 (2OT).

The Mother Corp.

I think I might be a little late to the party with this, but the CBC Radio 3 podcast is pretty solid. Also, from the CBC, my new favourite radio show is The National Playlist, with Jian Ghomeshi (weekdays, 11:30am, CBC Radio One). The songs aren't all winners -- there was a Nickelback song in there last week -- but the discussion is generally pretty interesting. Plus, with my penchant for lists, it really is right up my alley.

My two personal favourites in the list right now are Neighbourhood #3 (Power Out), from the Arcade Fire, and M.I.A.'s Galang.

Got a light?

People do a lot of strange things when they have lots of time on their hands. Watching poker on TV, for instance. But I didn't expect to find myself reading the Manitoba Highway Traffic Act.

Let me explain. I don't have a car, so I ride my bike a fair bit. Including in the dark. So I picked up rear and front lights for my bike, which seemed like such a good idea that it should almost be illegal to ride at night without them. It turns out it is. From the relevant section of the act:

Lamps and reflectors on bicycles and power-assisted bicycles

149(1) Subject to subsection (3), a bicycle or power-assisted bicycle shall be equipped with

(a) a headlamp at the front that casts a white light; and

(b) a lamp or reflector at the back that casts a red or amber light or reflection and has a surface area of not less than 25 cm2.

Subsection (3) specifies that cyclists need only light up when subsection 35(11) applies, ie: when it is dark.

Who knew? Lots of laws are ignored, or not enforced, but I hadn't the faintest idea this one even existed. As far as I can tell, it has been on the books since 1990, or almost my whole cycling career. Compare to, say, the Netherlands, where I remember seeing billboards and TV ads as part of a campaign to remind citizens of their bike light laws.

I spent about $10 on my lights (front and rear), so there really shouldn't be any excuses.