tree|plugs

and now, some good stuff...


[heard] Verve//Remixed (Deluxe Box). What happened when hipster DJs take on standard classics in the world of Jazz and Blues? Well some traditionalists cried, “sacrilege!” But while they were busy crying over their tired sax licks, the rest of us were grooving to amazing new approaches to mixing and sexy beats that saw our hips gyrating. Is there is a better way to honour the great voices of jazz (think Ella Fitzgerald, Nina Simone, Billie Holiday, and more) than to breathe fresh life into their contributions to music history? I think not.

Check out any of the three Verve//Remixed albums, or by the Deluxe Box if you want to marinate in the wonderfulness of it all.



[read] The Walrus. Sometimes Wikipedia can sum it up best...

The Walrus is a Canadian general interest magazine which publishes long form journalism on Canadian and international affairs, along with fiction and poetry by Canadian writers. It launched in September 2003, as an attempt to create a Canadian equivalent to American magazines such as Harper's, The Atlantic Monthly or The New Yorker. The magazine's mandate is to "be a Canadian general-interest magazine with an international outlook. We are committed to publishing the best work by the best writers from Canada and elsewhere on a wide range of topics for readers who are curious about the world."

I like it because of the great stories, photos, and because it inspires me to keep writing.



[seen] Into the Wild (Director Sean Penn, based on the novel by Jon Krakauer)

"In April 1992, a young man from a well-to-do family hitchhiked to Alaska and walked alone into the wilderness north of Mt. McKinley. His name was Christopher Johnson McCandless. He had given $25,000 in savings to charity, abandoned his car and most of his possessions, burned all the cash in his wallet, and invented a new life for himself. Four months later, his decomposed body was found by a moose hunter…"

-Jon Krakauer

Definitely one of my top five movies thus far in 2007, Into the Wild takes us on a journey of material and social renunciation, as well as an exploration of human limits. We are left with a precious lesson presented delicately rather than moralistically: we are nothing without each other.

If you have ever dreamed of exploring physical, mental, and spiritual boundaries, if you have ever dreamed of adventure, if you have ever dreamed of running away… then I recommend you run to see this movie.

Watch the “Into the Wild” trailer...



[experienced] Rubber boots. Also known as “Wellies” or “gumboots”, weather-friendly boots were worn and popularized in the early 19th century by British aristocracy and gained popularity for those working in wet weather conditions. These days, not just for farmers, rubber boots are worn by anyone who enjoys functionality and cuteness. With multiple daring designs available, rubber boots have become a key fashion accessory on a wet day.

The only problem is that they have limited selection when it comes to funky and fun boots for boys. But don’t worry my male wet-footed friends, the forecast calls for an increase in options as they become more and more popular.

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