Ruminations 12.0

On the topic of time travel, I've been brainstorming with a friend who is currently enrolled in the physics program at UofT. We've been throwing ideas back and forth like a baby tossing party, attempting to determine an actual calculation to represent the amount of distance covered relative to the time travelled as discussed two posts ago.

As soon as I have a more concrete understanding of the calculations, we will have a little fun determining the schematics of it all.

One thing I didn't take into account was the spherical nature of the big blue marble we live on and how travelling east through time on an axis could result in being displaced above the earth's surface, or even worse, within the earth itself.

Interesting notions made even more interesting with the help of a spleef roughly the size of newborn's forearm.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Kudos to today's Toronto Star sports section for its coverage of sports that don't end with 'ball'. Allocating full-pages for the Australian Open tennis, Canadian Figure Skating Championships and Short Track Speed Skating the day after the NFL Conference Finals is worth noting.

I have criticized the Star often in the past, much of it stems from an interview I had there, but also the talent they have and the fact that they more often then not fail to use it.

Much respect to Dave Feschuk for his coverage of the Raptors - it's stellar, and to Cathal Kelly for covering European soccer. Any fans of English soccer who are not mentally challenged and support a club other then Manchester United, today's piece by Kelly is a must read. Covering a socccer event locally, I met Mr. Kelly. He knows he's talented without being told as much - read between the lines if you please.

Peter Howell is also a talented film writer and Ben Rayner has chops when it comes to covering music - besides that, the paper is absolute rubbish and were it just a little softer to the touch, I wouldn't even wipe my ass with it. The New York Times inserts (Business section and Book review) are a nice touch, but it does nothing but to identify just how terrible the writing is in The Star.

For all the criticism the Toronto Sun receives, at least it knows its audience and caters to it. The Star wouldn't know its ass if it took a massive crunch in its mouth.

Here's a massive tune from Katy B for y'all to enjoy and an absolute banger from Magnetic Man feat. Katy B. Peace wardies.

Ruminations 10.0: The Year In My iPod.

Missed-out on many of the 'End of the Year' lists that many sites execute quite well. Despite the fact we don't share a similar taste in music, my brother's blog IMusicalGenius (see right) does a more than adequate job of such things, and he inquired recently if I had put together a list. Unlike previous years, I haven't had my thumb on the pulse of the new music scene. Perhaps I'm getting old, or perhaps I have found more productive means of occupying my time, but I am not as hip as I was, or as I may have thought.

Anyways, instead of compiling a list of my favorite songs of the year, I will revert to my iTunes to find which songs I listened to the most.

I must admit, despite my intentions to often avoid what is the sound of the moment, dubstep took my iPod hostage this year and is still my go-to genre. I have always enjoyed drum n' bass music, especially the raw, reggae MC inspired English sound. Dubstep has managed to take the unrelenting bass of dnb and infuse some melody. The following song was the most played song on my iPod this year, and frankly, I'm cautious to admit just how many times I listened to it.

This dubstep re-mix is by Welsh DJ High Contrast, who like English DJ tandem Chase & Status, can pretty much take any song and make it dubstep magic. Kudos to Skream a genius remix of this tune, but in the end, the High Contrast version reigns supreme. Sounds better very loud.

So, without further ado, here's my favorite/most-played song of 2010, which narrowly beat-out the song featured just below it. Also listed are the other songs that helped me burn through 5 pairs of shitty headphones this year.

La Roux - In For The Kill (High Contrast Remix)


Adele - Hometown Glory (High Contrast Remix)

Plab B - End Credits (Chase & Status Remix)


Chase & Status - Eastern Jam


Brookes Brothers - Tear You Down


Rihanna feat. Drake _ What's My Name (Blackmill Remix)


Axwell - I Found You (High Contrast Remix)


High Contrast - If We Ever


Danny Byrd feat. The Brookes Brothers - Gold Rush