Current Read: A Canticle for Leibowitz

by Walter M. Miller, Jr.

This post-apocalyptic science fiction novel was first published in 1960, based on three short stories Miller published in The Magazine of Fantasy and Science Fiction.  It explores themes of recurrence, religion, church vs. state, knowledge and the nature of mankind.  Critically acclaimed as one of the classics of science fiction, this book is a must-read for any fan of the genre or anyone interested in religion/philosophy in general.  Without giving away too much, the concept which is most interesting to me is the destruction of literacy and the regression of mankind to a more basic state, and what that means for humanity.

ACFL in popular culture:  Rock band THRICE has a song titled “The Flame Deluge”, the flame that destroys the earth in ACFL.

STW: Metal, Bowie and Dancing

3 Inches of Blood
w/Bison B.C., The Golers
Friday, Sept 11
@ Commodore Ballroom

Dark Crystal/Labyrinth
Midnight double feature!
Friday, Sept 11
@ Rio Theatre (Commerical & Broadway)

MSTRKRFT
Saturday, Sept 12
@ Commodore Ballroom

STW: Sept 1 – 6

I can’t really believe that September is here.  Time to mourn the passing of summer and hopefully the beginnings of a new chapter in life.  My years always seem to start in September, likely due to the fact that I have been in school for most of my life.  This fall marks the first time in my school-aged life that I haven’t been entering into another semester of study, and I feel a little lost not having something new to begin.  That’s the problem with accomplishing goals, what’s next?

Anyway, shows this week…

Band of Skulls
Thursday, Sept 3
@ Venue (ex-The Plaza Club)

A Textbook Tragedy
w/Sights and Sounds
Friday, Sept 4
@ Media Club

Band of Horses
Friday, Sept 4
@ Commodore Ballroom *SOLD OUT*

Franz Ferdinand
Sunday, Sept 6
@ Malkin Bowl (Stanley Park) *SOLD OUT*

STW: August 25 – 20

Bat for Lashes
Tuesday, August 25
@ Venue *SOLD OUT*

The Pretenders
w/Cat Power, Juliette Lewis
Wednesday, August 26
@ Malkin Bowl

Battle Snakes
w/Hot Blood Bombers, Hot Live Guys, Street Legal Dirt Bike
Thursday, August 27
@ Pub 340
*Get your super exclusive Battle Snakes headbands here!*

The Answer
Friday, August 28
@ The Media Club

AC/DC
Saturday, August 29
@ BC Place *SOLD OUT*

STW: August 19-24

Shit, I’ve been slacking, sorry!  Off to LA this weekend, should make for some good updates and photos!

Silversun Pickups
w/Manchester Orchestra, Cage the Elephant
Wednesday, August 19
@ Commodore Ballroom
*this show was amazing last night!  Killer line-up, come on down before it’s too late, only a few tickets left!*

The Dead Weather
Friday, August 21 & Saturday, August 22
@ Commodore Ballroom
*SOLD OUT*

Elvis Costello
Monday, August 24
@ Malkin Bowl

Current read: The Time Machine

The Time Machine
by H.G. Wells

H.G. Wells is largely credited with being one of the fore-fathers of science fiction, and this book delves into a territory and literary style unknown at the time, exploring themes of evolution, progress and the human condition.  A classic every reader should experience.  For all you cheaters out there, do NOT take the movie made in 2002 as an accurate representation of the tale, as that bastardized version focuses largely on a completely fabricated love story and not the deeper issues one can take away from it.

Freedommmmm/STW August 10 – 16

Down
Monday, August 10
@ Commodore Ballroom

Red Jumpsuit Apparatus
Wednesday, August 12
@ Venue

Warped Tour
Friday, August 14
@ UBC Thunderbird Arena

Kings of Leon
Saturday, August 15 (SOLD OUT) and Sunday, August 16
@ GM Place

New Thrice

I apologize for a lack of updates, things have been crazy around here.  School will be done for good in 2 days, then I’ll have heaps of time/posts.

In the meantime, go to the Thrice Myspace and listen to the new Thrice record, Beggars.  iTunes release August 11 and physical release Sept 15 (with 5 bonus tracks!).

STW: July 21 – 26

Eagles of Death Metal
Tuesday, July 21
@ Commodore Ballroom
*The show last night was amazing!  Get out tonight people

The Black Lips/Deerhunter
w/The TVees
Thursday, July 23
@ Commodore Ballroom
*Go early to catch great local acts The TVees garage rock ‘n roll it out!

The 2nd Annual Bro Show
f. Living with Lions, Broadway Calls, The Grave Life, Party at the Moontower
Saturday, July 25
@ The Media Club

I’m a PC, and I’m 2 years old

I’m sure most of you have seen those Windows Live/PC commercials where the kids do adorable things like email a picture or make a slideshow, consequently proving how easy Windows Live/a PC is to use.  Not only are these ads, as usual, reactive to what Mac has been doing for years with their “I’m a Mac” comparative ads, but I’m not sure they are proving a point that PC wants to get across.  Now I’m a faithful Mac user and hence biased on the subject (I’d also argue that Macs are MUCH easier to use anyway), but I digress on the merits of the ads in question.

1)  Since when are computers toys for young children?  Go outside!  Besides, you don’t want them emailing that picture to all your friends and family.
2)  Similar to the point above, the fact that children can use something to perform simple tasks should not be a selling point for something intended for adults. 
3) Conversely, if something is intended for use by kids, adults should not pride themselves on using it.  Nothing gets me going (read: ranting) faster than grown adults reading Harry Potter.

In conclusion, yes, having an operating system and software that is easy to use is a selling point for any computer user who is not a giant tech nerd.  However, I’m the one using it, not my 2-year old daughter.