/ AUGUST 2008

+ AUG 18TH, 2008  NOW PLAYING:  Velvet Underground - White Light/Heat


Attention!  Disgruntled, long-winded, white male straight ahead. 

Yeah, I'm in a real bitch today.  I normally try and refrain from writing here when I'm in ultra negative mode, but today I truly don't give a shit if you disagree or find it off-putting.  See?  

My brain does this in fits and starts.  I get so muddled in despair over issues that are important to me, I rant and rave and challenge everyone's intentions until I'm left with zero faith in human beings (save for a handful of my favourites).  In the end though, I usually find some kind of positive solution to keep my head up and spin it into a useful outlook.  Not today though.  I'm tapped out.    

I owe my lovely candor to the experience of watching three hard hitting documentaries in a row over the weekend.  As essential viewing as each one was, I can't really recommend the multiple screenings simply because it will leave you morose (like me) for days.  On the superfun triple bill was HBO's "American Awareness Marathon" featuring An Inconvenient Truth, Who Killed The Electric Car?, and Hard Times At Douglas High: No Child Left Behind.  If you tossed Sicko on the pile, you're left with a pretty harrowing look at our collective future:

Planet?  Fucked. 
Economy?  Done.
Education?  Screwed.
Health Care?  Hopeless.

Ummm, yeah.  We just can't see it yet, but it's over for us and our children if we don't start putting human beings and the planet first....period. 

(NOTE:  If you'd rather skip the morose fest, but love a good doc...I can't recommend The King Of Kong enough.  One of the most engaging stories I've watched in eons...even if the subject matter doesn't interest you, seriously...you've got to check it out.)

So if my ire with rash, remorseless, ignorant governments officials, corporations, and people hadn't been raised enough, as I perused last month's copy of Toronto Life magazine featuring (count 'em) TWO idiotic fluff articles containing vain, petty, self-involved scoffs at two of the humongous problems listed above:

1.  It Ain't Easy Being Green.  Here, a vapid roundup of the "sacrifices" we have to make while stuck under "the altar of Al Gore", lamenting on the loss of the plastic bag, the water bottle, and pesticides for our purdy, green lawns.  The folks at TLM feel it's a real bummer that the LCBO is no longer using plastic bags, and "get weepy every time we need the perfect place to stash a wet bathing suit."  Awww, life is so rough for you and your wet trunks!  Do you understand?  Plastic does not biodegrade.  That means unless they've been incinerated -- which is noxious -- every plastic bag you've ever used in your entire life will exist in some form, clogging drainage systems, and oceans long after you're dead.  Recycling them is a way bigger challenge and environmental headache than you'd believe.  But using plastic bag alternatives is one of the easiest things you can change in your daily life in order to make a difference.  It doesn't change the trillions in existence, but if they stop making them...well...that can only be good.  

2.  Big Box Protection Program.  Not directly the contributors, but Leslieville residents showcasing their obvious retardation this time around.  For example:  "I love Wal-Mart.  It's bad for the environment and bad for the economy, but it saves me money and I don't give a crap."  Oh. My. God.  I wonder when you don't have a job at the Nike Store anymore because of our imminent economic crash, you'll still feel great that you saved $1.75 on a 4lb tub of Metamucil?  Yeah, you're such a badass dude.  The thing is, he probably just said that so he could come off all carefree and ironic in his Toronto Life debut.  No one can really be that callous and self-involved, right? 

That's it, I'm leaving.       

This is exactly what bums me out about all of this stuff.  I don't want to be all super serious, doom and gloom, but this Toronto Life thing is just one (of a bajillion) example of the horrible attitude that people have about very serious problems facing our future.  We make light of it.  It's a joke, an aside, a lighthearted jab.  Hooha, I'm breezy and free and not bothered at all by our impending doom.  I'll just keep consuming, demanding more for less, and pretend like everything is OK, la-dee-da. 

Ooooh, Chex Mix is on sale!!

Much Hate To Everyone But You,
COOP 

 + AUG 14TH, 2008  NOW PLAYING:  The Acorn - Glory Hope Mountain

                                   *A neato SC showtime sketch by a young lad in Port Hope!

Still living life in the Great Time Vortex, but have got a much better handle on it.  Smiles, laughs, and belly jiggling always seems to start the day...which is the best way I can think of to start a day.

I woke up with super burning eyes this morning from lack of sleep.  I was showering thinking, "wow, my eyes really burn..." while I fumbled with a finicky shampoo bottle lid.  Damn thing snapped open suddenly and sprayed a mist of shampoo directly into my eyes.  The burning feeling increased a wee bit.  Thank you, Visine. 

Been hitting the LCBO a lot during their World Beer Expo days.  I LOVE buying import cans so I can keep trying out different kinds of beer.  The tall cans fill a pint glass perfectly (I keep a couple in the freezer at all times), so it feels just like the pub...only with less urine-y peanuts. 

The summer is slipping away quickly.  I know this because The Ex has pulled into town  (The Lawsuit'O'Matic, and the Barfs-a-tron 3000 rides look especially fun).  Why do we always mourn our summers before they're over?  Is it a Canadian thing?  I don't know why.  Seems I'm not the only one doing this.  There's plenty of summer left, let's get out there!

And oh yeah....rhubarb!

Much Love & Stuff;
COOP

+ AUG 6TH, 2008  NOW PLAYING:  AmAn Set - Set Free (Demos DL)

Attention musicians and fellow gear-heads! 

I've got a couple recording items for sale over here at SC Headquarters...thought I would take a sec and post them here in case any of you awesome peeps are interested in these items.  If so, please drop me a line ASAP at sc@scottcoopermusic.com

Digidesign Mbox 2 Mini (w-Pro Tools v7.3 software. I'll also toss in a whack of additional plug-ins - Waves, BombFactory, etc.) - $225.00  SOLD!!
Line 6 Pod 2.0 Amp modeling unit - $150.00

I hate to sell anything music-related, but I'm itching to get myself a sweet new electric geetar, and I need to clear our a few things that I haven't been using.  All items are in ridiculously awesome shape, for example the Mbox has only been used twice.  Kinda like my toothbrush.  Or your wiener (so I hear).

cheers,
COOP
 

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