Mike's Bloggity Blog

>So my election piece is coming. The problem? The last candidate didn’t show up for our coffee date so we are hopefully giving him a shot tomorrow. But our editor has seen the piece so far and really likes it. I’m honestly so pumped to get it out there!

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Now, on to Grey’s Anatomy. I had a dream about this show. I dreamt that I used to get so excited for before, during and after it. Honestly it was one of those shows that I always thought about and cared about. Then somewhere along the middle of last season, maybe when Meredith pulled a Buffy, I found myself caring less and less. But it was just a dream right? Nothing to worry about. But there was a problem. This wasn’t a dream and I happen to wake up from it about halfway through tonight’s 4th season premiere. Over the summer Grey’s creator promised to lighten up the show. Bring it back to the cases and have a little fun. She must of said this after this (and apparantly next weeks) episode. Could this doctor’s be in a sadder shape?

George is a mess, Izzy answers the door without looking to see who it is, Christina is “fine”, Kovach can’t apparantley grow a goatee and then we have Meredith. Honestly could you believe that she turned her back on her new sister who, as far as we can, is actually the only nice person that works at Seattle Grace? Come on Meredith, it’s not like people are lining up to friends with McWhiney….that’s you.

But do you know what I think happened? They had to tie up loose ends from last year. Wrap up some of the stories and then we’ll be on our little merry way. Hopefully we can see these doctors happy, not dancing naked in front of the window happy, but something close to that.

What did you think? Maybe I’m being grumpy because I got jilted on my “coffee date” with a politician.

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One of my favorite places to go an listen to new and FREE music is the AOL Music site. They have all the new Top 40 singles and most importantly they broadband full and complete upcoming albums commercial free. It’s great to be able to listen to them before doling out the $9,99 it costs on Itunes.

Today I got a chance to listen to the new Foo Fighters album. I was never a big fan of the band until my friend put his entire “Foo” library on my Ipod. The album came out today to buy, but my suggestion is to go to AOL and listen to it because this album is SOOOOO GOOD! I mean really really good. Because my day job requires that I listen to good music all day long for fear of being judged by those who know really good music, I try to make sure that I always have something good playing in the office. Whether it be CBC Radio 3 or Feist, those I work with have no idea that A Rankin Family song is till in my Top 5 most played. I was so happy to find The Foo Fighter’s Echos, Silence, Patience & Grace today because I think I listened to it 4 times, that said, I don’t really trust my taste in music, so I was so happy to get my Entertainment Weekly in the mail today and read this review.

Even if you don’t buy CDs anymore, you should at least consider this one. It is such a good listen. Check it out here.

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Earlier this week I mentioned that I was meeting with a bunch of the people running for Calgary public office. So far this week I have met with three of them and hope to have my thoughts with Macleans (the person, not the mag) up the end of the day today. Want a little teaser?
I made one of them cry. No joke.

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So did you watch it tonight? Did you watch the Grey’s Anatomy spin-off Private Practice? What did you think? I thought…well honestly I was too distracted with two major issues.

1)What is the point of a Private Practice if half the patients they are going to see end up having to go to the hospital? I mean really who would choose to give birth in what looks like a living when so many things can go wrong during child birth, as they did tonight. Maybe it’s the American medical system I don’t understand but I just don’t get it.

2) Is anyone else creeped out by the pediatrician (paul adelstein) is also a sex addict? They obviously aren’t going to do any creepy stories about it, but it just seems too close to the fine line. I hope they kinda let his sex addiction thing fall by the way-side.

Other than that I don’t think Private Practice is the next Joey, but it certainly isn’t Frasier. I’ll tune in next week. Will you?

>Heroes: Obviously my expectations for this show were high. The first season had been exciting and I wanted more of that excitement. I didn’t get it. I’m not too worried about it, Heroes has earned my much coveted benefit of the doubt and although I felt the first episode was a little slow going, I think the writers were just doing a little setting up for the story that is going to be told.

How I Met Your Mother: Don’t worry, I know you didn’t listen to me when I told you to watch this show cause let’s face it, the ratings weren’t that good. But I’m not going to let that dismay me from this show. Especially one that is as smart and funny as this episode was. Obviously the highlight for me was Mandy Moore finally putting Barney in his place, I kinda hope she shows up again somewhere down the line.

Chuck: I only watched the first 15 minutes, but I liked it so far. Sarah Lancaster is pretty much cool in whatever she does, after all she was in Saved by the Bell: The New Class. I’m going to save this show for this weekend. Hopefully it’s a rainy one.

Cold Case: I have no idea why I watched this show Sunday night. I had only seen it once and while I thought it was OK, I wasn’t blown away. I was kinda confused about the whole Lilly getting shot in the season finale and then coming back to work 6 weeks later. Was there are point to this storyline. I mean sure she looked a little fragile, but is her getting shot going to eventually have a point? If this was 90210 she would take up a drug addiction to pain killers, that’s the least they could do.

Newport Harbour: I haven’t really talked about this show too much since it premiered a couple of weeks ago. Mostly because I find it very confusing. Am I the only ones that can’t tell the girls apart. Another reason why this show isn’t “must watch” for me is because these kids now know that it will give them the potential of being famous. The first season of Laguna Beach was so addictive because this kids were at least a little real, maybe even believable. But after that first virgin season the kids on the show were on the covers of magazines and getting roles in TV shows. They were hamming it up for the cameras and purposely making up drama, which is perfectly fine. It is Laguna Beach/Newport Harbour afterall, but could at least one of the girls die their hair?

The Hills: You know why Heidi and Spencer are still on this show? Because if they weren’t the audience might realize that Lauren is one lonely future-spinster. Every now and then we get a little drama like her and her now en-fianced ex-boyfriend Jason on the balcony, but for the most part we are subjected to boring and strained drama. This is MTVs most successful show so I doubt it is in any danger but with the main source of conflict of Lauren’s life trying on Wedding dresses across without her, I don’t really see the point.

Gossip Girl: I almost turned this show off, but then when faced with the prospect of maybe having a thought not distracted by a TV or watching the show, I chose watching the show. Let’s call a spade a spade, this is basically Cruel Intentions. Which is not a bad thing per se, but again we’ve already seen it. I’m sure this show, created by the creator of The OC, will have lots and twists and turns up his sleeve. I’ll again go for the ride, thanks to Kristen Bell, but it will be reserved for lonely Saturday nights.

Back to You: I laughed out loud once. Which is usually a bad thing, but given the sad state of the traditional sitcom it’s actually quite the accomplishment. Kudos to critics and entertainment secrets for keeping the big secret for the viewers to find out for themselves. I won’t tell you guys about it here, but it should be fun to watch where Frasier and the mom from Everybody loves Raymond go with their newest obstacles. Ahh the awkward father/daughter talks.

Survivor China: Did you know this was the 15th season of this show!!! I know I already brought it up, but I seriously can’t believe it. So far this show is same old same old, nothing too exciting, but this is the kinda show that doesn’t get too exciting until the teams merge, I’ll check back in around that time.

Still to come this week: Private Practice, Grey’s Anatomy, The Office, Bionic Woman, My Name is Earl.

>I didn’t even know Drumhellor had a mayor?
Apparantly they knew about me

>It has been at least a couple of days since I stirred the pot or caused any trouble around Calgary. Well that all changes today.

As some people might know Calgary is holding it’s municipal elections in the upcoming weeks and it is during these elections we will electing a new mayor (or maybe the old one) and we will also be voting on the Alderman positions (which in case you didn’t know, cause I didn’t, are just like city counsellors only with a more boring name.)

After reading up on all the candidates and their issues I had just one thought: boring. Honestly no wonder no one votes any more the candidates all have the same believes and it is sometimes to hard to tell them apart!

That is why I am teaming up with the Calgary Herald and fellow Q writer Maclean Kay to stir up the election pot and hopefully find out more then ever before about those running for our cities most important positions.

Starting tonight and over the next three days we will be meeting with all the candidates for Ward 8 at the local coffee shop The Purple Perk. There we will talk about the important issues, you know the ones that matter. Like how many times a day do they click on Perezhilton.com, do they ever stay up way to late watching infomercials for Hair Club for Men or is that just me. How about what is there favorite movie? What is the longest time they’ve ever gone without showering? Those are the things I want to know! Why? Because I think choosing someone to represent is like choosing a roommate and if you don’t get a long with your roommate well then things are just going to work out.

Tonight we will be meeting with Ward 8′s current alderman (or woman for that matter) Madeline King. She won the riding in 2001 and then again in 2004. I’m going to find out if that accent is real or not.

After King we will be meeting with John Mar who I feel is meeting a constant or a vowel from his last name so I am definitely going to get the bottom of that. I’m also going to ask him if he thought Heroes sucked last night. Cause I did and I can’t be roommates with anyone that wasn’t just a little bit disappointed.

We will also be meeting with the candidates on Wednesday and Thursday. Thursday interview is actually at 9pm. So I’m already a little inclined not to vote for them because they are screwing up my busy TV watching plans, but I’ll give them the benefit of the doubt. So make sure you check back as we will be updating on our interviews all week both here and the Calgary Heralds site!

In the mean time let me know of any questions you think I should ask, if you know me there is no way I won’t ask it! Should be fun!

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I have been waiting for this monday for almost 4 months. Yes it has been that long since we last saw our dear friends at Heroes and How I Met Your Mother. That is why I thought a little recap would be in order.

First up? How I Met Your Mother, or HIMYM. I know, I know, you’ve never even seen this show why do you even need a recap? Because you NEED to be watching this show. It has something for every one. Mostly it has Barney (Neil Patrick Harris). Harris got an emmy nomination for his portrayal of the womanizer who refuses to settle down while everyone else around him has either gotten married (Marshall and Lilly) or looking for the love of their live. Which brings up to Ted, he who is looking for the titular “mother” who becomes his wife of which he has been telling the story to his anxiously awaiting now grown kids. While it is not as consistantly funny as friends was, I think they definitely tell better stories, they especially get points for the unique time travelling form of the stories which is filled with flashbacks and flash forwards.
Last we saw Ted he officially ended his doomed relationship with news reporter. I say doomed because we’ve known since the 2nd episode that to Ted’s kids she is known as Aunt Robin, thus ruling her out as the mom. But inevitably the two dated but in the final moments of the season finale it was decided that they would go their separate paths. Now newly single Ted and Robin welcome guest stars Enrique Iglesias and Mandy Moore to get them out of them gloomy post-breakup state. HIMYM and Mandy Moore? Legendary.

Which brings us to Heroes. Last we saw our super heroes in training the Petrelli brothers had supposedly blown up in space, Matt and were fighting for their lives, Sylar had slinked into the sewers, Claire wasn’t wearing her cheer leading outfit and time traveling Hiro found himself in 16th Century China. So in the second season premiere expect a lot of answers with probably even more questions. Our lovely Veronica Mars….I mean Kristen Bell doesn’t make her first appearance until episode 5, but I have no doubt the writers will give us lots to think about until she shows up to stir the pot.

At some point during the night I’ll also be checking out NBC’s new show Chuck. It airs before Heroes but at the same time as HIMYM so I will using my TIVO to make sure I don’t miss a moment of it. This weekend I cleared out my TIVO and there are only 3 things left on it. The last two Veronica Mars and my national television debut. As you can imagine, I had a very productive weekend.

>Also available on The Q.

It seems that every year we are given more and more time to get ready for Christmas. Just today at Linens and Things I was apprehensively greeted by their already big, some might say overwhelming, Christmas section. Ready to purchase items included artificial trees, Christmas lights and enough holiday themed knick-naks to make even Marta Stewart cry herself to sleep.

I guess it’s ok that the stuff is out now. I mean why not? It doesn’t mean we have to buy it right? But what concerns me about stores jumping the gun with the Christmas season is the disappointment that will surely occur.

Every year we hear from parents saying they spent all their time (and money) trying to ensure the best Christmas ever, but what Tommy or Lucy really loved was the box that their new toys came in. You’ll also hear about kids that are actually disappointed with their Christmas haul and inevitably go back to playing with what they playing with before. We are inclined to think these children are spoiled or ungrateful, but is it their fault? Every year it seems that we as a society are setting ourselves up for a major Christmas disappointment.

To put it into perspective for us grown-ups, could you imagine if you knew that in 3 months you would have, what you were told, would be the best date you’ve had all year, maybe of your life? Imagine if everywhere you went your friends talked only about your upcoming date. The Gap even set aside a whole section of their store full of clothes that would make for good “date clothes”. I guess in a way it would be good because you would have three months to get ready for the special night. But on the flip side you and your date would have three months of anticipation to live up to. The longer we wait for something the bigger we expect that something to be. No matter how great the date actually is, it will never live up to the high expectations that you, your mind and your friends were expecting.

Starting the Christmas season so early works the same way. As nice as it is to spend time with your family and friends, when it’s all done don’t we always think: “Was that it?” And that is not because we are ungrateful, but because we have had nearly 100 days to get ready for the big day and faster than you can say “A Christmas Story marathon on TBS” it’s over. Done. Finito. By having stores already inundating us with A Christmas Carol décor already we have no chose but to begin our anticipation (and stress) towards the holiday season.

Christmas would work better for everyone if it came as a surprise. How great would it be if around December 20th we realized the big day was around the corner and that in a matter of days we would be surrounded by great food and better company? If kids weren’t given three months to come up with their lists, wouldn’t their “demands” be a lot more reasonable? If you go up to a kid suddenly and say: “Yo kid, what do you want?”, they’ll probably say one item and be happy with whatever it is. If you give them 12 weeks to come up with their wish list? Well, let’s just say there is a reason Visa Execs are always smiling around this time of year.

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On a related note, I bought my tickets home for the holiday season. December 22nd to January 2nd. Get.Ready.Fredericton.

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>So if you were like me last night you tried to watch the preview of the Grey’s Anatomy spinoff Private Practice last night and then realized it was really just a clip show with annoying commentary from People Magazine. And of course my annoying I mean jealous. I tried to make it through the show to watch the teased new season 4 Grey’s music video because I still get chills watching last years “How to Save a Life One”. Unfortuantly my extreme hate on of clip shows prevented me from being able to make it to the end. So luckily for us there is a little site called Youtube. Maybe you’ve heard of it? Of course I found it and of course I’ve watched it 20 times. How can I not support a good ol’ Canadian Boy like Mat Kearney.

So here it is for your viewing and listening pleasure. 7 sleeps.