JayRo Watches: Nikki Yanofsky: Live in Montreal

This isn't going to be so much of a review as a plea to the music industry: For the love of everything good in the world, do not fuck up Nikki Yanofsky and try to turn her into the next Britney Spears.

(I should probably note that there isn't any indication that they are going to do this, but consider this a pre-emptive caution.)

As for the concert itself, it is remarkable. You hear her sing and her voice is amazing. Listen to her do "Airmail Special" and you will be in awe. Then she thanks the crowd for the ovation and you snap back to reality - she's only 16! It is ridiculous.

My only complaint? The crowd gives her a standing ovation seemingly after every song. Yes, she's incredily talented, but the 8th standing ovation kinda loses the impact of the first.

Monday Musings - July 26, 2010

• Leading off, we've got a fun and interesting article by Stephen Marche explaining how Conrad Black and the Black Bloc are similiar


• Speaking of Conrad Black, it takes a lot for me to agreee with a Toronto Sun editorial (especially in these days of utter lunacy), but I agree with this one.
  One thing that's been bugging me about some Black supporters is their insistence that he was forced to give up his Canadian citizeship by Jean Chretien. Chretien did put barriers in front of Black when Black wanted to become a member of the House of Lords. But ultimatly Chretien forced Black to choose what was more important to him: being a Canadian, or being a member of the House of Lords. Black chose the House of Lords and thus to renounce his citizenship, showing where his priorities lied. I'm not sure why Canada should bend over backwards for him now that he's decided it's more convienient for him be in Canada.


• Damn you Joey Lawrence, why do you have to come across as a nice guy in interviews? (Also, how are you younger than me?)


• This profile of Abdullah the Butcher in the New York Times is a bunch of awesomeness. You get Abdullah essentially mocking a promoter, Tommy Rich working the reporter and Abdullah working the marks for more cash. (In a related note, I own the referenced DVD and will probably review it once I actually watch it.


• Give the Daily Star credit: When they screw up, they don't half ass it (Daily Star website might be NSFW)

Monday Musings - July 11, 2010

Not a true Monday Musings this week, as I'm still reeling from the news that the Internet is over.

For the counterpoint, here is Mike Howlett explaining how Prince isn't giving away his new album for free.

Your rhetorical (and somewhat cynical) question of the day

If Richard Neufeld was a Liberal senator, would the reaction to his about face be reversed?

Monday Musings - July 5, 2010

• The rumour of Pacquiao/Mayweather happening at the Thomas and Mack arena is mindboggling if true. You would think that they wouldn't want what might be the major Vegas sporting event of the year somwhere which is awkward to get to from where 90% of the hotel rooms are. But hey, I'm not a genius, like Steve Wynn.


• Puck Daddy has the breakdown of when Jonatha Toews met Snooki


• I'm not sure what Chris Selley's point is with contrast and compare. The situations are nowhere close to similiar.


• Trolls on the internet: Read this and learn lessons from a master.


• And finally, I prove my immaturity by giving you this video:
  

Quick UFC 116 Predictions

Jon Madsen over Karlos Vemola
Daniel Roberts over Forrest Petz
Gerald Harris over Dave Branch
Chris Tuchscherer over Brendan Schaub
Goran Reljic over Kendall Grove
Ricardo Romero over Seth Petruzelli
George Sotiropolous over Kurt Pellegrino
Krzysztof Soszynski over Stephan Bonnar
Chris Lytle over Matt Brown
Yoshishiro Akiyama over Chris Leben
Brock Lesnar over Shane Carwin