My music 2009

This doesn’t need an introduction. Here’s the music from 2009 that moved me.

Metric, Fantasies (Last Gang)

Emily Haines and co. have done it again, and they’ve built on the strengths of Live It Out to create an album that has a similar sound, and yet, there is a maturity that comes from constant touring and Haines’ own solo work. Fantasies keeps up the energy from beginning to end, and does not let up. Here’s the video for “Gimme Me Sympathy”, which is one of my favourite tracks from the album:

(Three more after the jump…)

Musical map of the decade

The 2000s are almost done, but this blog won’t let its passing go. Instead of just listing what I think the best artists/albums/songs from the last ten years were, I figure I’ll go a little meta and give you the overall themes of what shaped my musical listening through the decade. I’m certainly not the most current in terms of the trends of the moment, nor do I pretend to be, but if I like something, then I’ll certainly find other artists resembling that sound.

The main theme that basically permeated everything was my listening shift to CBC Radio Two. I might have a passive-aggressive relationship with it now (IMO, calling yourself commercial-free during a blatant commercial for another Radio 2 program is pure hypocrisy), but I can’t turn my back on the station that opened my ears to music beyond the bland commercial stuff I’d been listening to previously. Classical, jazz, the weird stuff from Brave New Waves, and the indie leanings of the Saturday night programming (remember Radiosonic?): all of those I’ve listened to on Radio Two to one degree or another for most of the 2000s. The emergence of George Stroumboulopoulos’ genre-free Sunday night show has also given me new hope in the revised Radio 2.

It is from my listening of Radio 2 that several other themes developed. One of them is intelligent dance music (IDM). Two artists in that genre, Boards of Canada and Manitoba/Caribou, I have followed since hearing them on Brave New Waves. There’s something atmospheric about IDM that had me addicted to it. Maybe it’s the slower tempo and (for the most part) instrumental nature of IDM that’s conducive for relaxation and getting ready for bed.

Another theme was my growing appreciation for jazz. I started attending shows of the Vancouver Jazz Festival in 2004, and have tried to go to at least one every year since then, even if it’s just the free stuff at David Lam Park on the second weekend. That’s led to some of my personal favourites: Beady Belle, Elizabeth Shepherd, Sekoya, and Sophie Milman. And I’m not forgetting the all-time greats who came before them: Armstrong, Parker, Ella, and Nina.

In terms of other favourite artists from the decade, I just ate up the Yeah Yeah Yeahs (another discovery via Brave New Waves), the White Stripes, Emm Gryner, and Sarah Slean. Of course, some love has to go to local artists, including the New Pornographers, the Organ, Vincent Black Shadow, and Adaline.

An eclectic selection of music, to be sure, but then that’s how I roll. The next decade of music should be interesting, and my ears will try to find some good ones.

Transit moments of the 2000s

Original Buzzer blog post

The Buzzer blogger asked readers what their favourite transit moments of the passing decade were. Based on the comments placed there already, there is no shortage of highlights. Rather than put a condensed version in the comments of the original post, I’ll put mine here, and add pictures! The fun begins after the jump.

Race report: Rock ‘n’ Roll Las Vegas Half

For a change of pace, I ventured to Las Vegas to run my first race outside of BC. The premise for this half marathon, the first in Vegas under the “Rock ‘n’ Roll” series, is a simple out and back on the famous Las Vegas Blvd., aka The Strip. This course is as flat as a pancake, but not ideal, in my opinion, to attempt a personal best. The reason for that is the immense number of people who’ve signed up to run this race, and the half in particular. All told, there were almost 30,000 people who’ve signed up to run either the full or the half marathon.

The race experience was great, for the most part: I was there early for the first day of package pickup (Friday), and also picked up a pair of shoes for what is essentially a bargain, even factoring in the exchange rate. I started Saturday with a group run of Canadians that went to the “Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas” sign. There was even a costumed Mountie with Canadian flag.

Leading the Canadian contingent!

Canadians invade Vegas!

Sunday was the day of the race. A 6:15am start, but only if you’re actually up front. I didn’t start until 6:45, and by then, I had been outside for about an hour, and I was freezing. It was just above 0°C (32°F), and I clearly was not prepared for this: just shorts and three layers on top: singlet, tech shirt, and the custom shirt I had made for this race. Once I got started, I warmed up, but when I finished, 2:19:49 later, I was cold again. Thank goodness for those space blankets!

Holding up the medal after rocking the Strip!

Would I do this one again? Oh yes, it’s inevitable, as long as the organizers keep it to that time of year, as it falls near my birthday, so any excuse to run in Vegas!

Doctor Who Tube – mashup edition

In time for the 46th anniversary of the airing of the first-ever Doctor Who episode, here are a few great creative videos that can be found on the YouTubes.

The first one is constantly being replayed on my iPhone. Forget Debbie: what if Doctor Who did Dallas? The effort done here was superb, right down to the fonts. Never mind that this could only really be used for “Journey’s End“; it’s quite awesome!

The second one is quite recent (and hat-tip to Doctor Who Blog), but this one uses CGI to “recreate” The Wheel in Space as Kubrick’s 2001: A Space Odyssey. Whoever did this should be allowed to do the full animation restoration of the missing episodes of Wheel in Space!

The third mashup involves a classic clash between the Doctor and the Master… with lightsabres!

And from the same guy who brought you that one, while not a mashup per se, it does gather all 10 Doctors together in what could certainly be an epic adventure:

Hope you’ve enjoyed those. Happy 46th, Doctor Who!

Strombo: Saviour of Radio 2?

Earlier this month, CBC Radio 2 debuted George Stroumboulopoulos’ Sunday-night show. It’s only four hours long, but on the first week I managed to stretch the experience over eight: I started at 16:00 Pacific time (listening to the Atlantic-time feed), but had to drag it to midnight (the last two hours “live” on my radio). The combination of music, George’s enthusiasm, the music-to-commentary mix, and (so far) lack of internal Radio 2 promos had me hooked.

George at home in the studio.

It’s been a while since I’ve commented about the state of Radio 2 (last entry was in June 2008), but that doesn’t mean I’ve completely accepted the changes, but I haven’t completely abandoned the network either. But, somehow, on that first night, George + Radio 2 = awesomeness! I think Strombo has put a lot of thought into the programming of the show, both in terms of individual songs and when they were placed within the four-hour show. And this was touched upon briefly during one of the lulls between songs: anyone can play a set of songs, but a good set takes into account the emotional response as much as the musical connection between songs.

So to the title question: With tweaking of Radio 2’s programming continuing, I think this might be the best of the changes, hands down. While it may not increase the classical quota one bit, it provides the edge that Radio 2 was lacking since dropping the Radio 3 simulcasts. Poaching Strombo’s show away from commercial-rock radio and placing it on the CBC was also inevitable, what with The Hour being a late-night mainstay for a number of years.

I do hope that the Strombo Show sticks around for a while. It provides a great soundtrack to a Sunday night that is pretty much meant as a weekend wind-down and can actually give a boost to the inevitability of the dreaded Monday morning.

Photo credit: CBC Radio 2 blog

Frustration setting in

It has now been four weeks since I’ve completed my first marathon, but the recovery is not going as well as I’ve liked.

My left knee has been giving me all sorts of trouble, especially in the running-completion department. Almost every run I’ve attempted since Victoria has not ended as well as I’d hoped. The runs start OK, but partway through, or near the end, the pain kicks in, and I’m in stop-and-go mode the rest of the way.

Maybe I’m stubborn because I want to run no matter what, but after today, I have to concede that I might do more harm than good continuing in this way. Some cross-training won’t be that bad, I guess. At least I can avoid some of the ugly fall weather that can be a deterrent to running anyway. I believe this will pass, and once it’s healed, I can hit the road again, and hopefully in time for the Rock ‘n’ Roll Las Vegas Half.

Effort = reward

Last week, my marathon training clinic held a wrap party/dinner at a restaurant in Yaletown. It looks like everyone was there, and most conversations revolved, naturally, around race experiences and future goals and/or races. The clinic leaders handed out raffle prizes and gifts to pace-group leaders. The surprising bit was when they next recognized the first-time finishers with plaques. And there were many first-time finishers. I thought that was a nice touch, and kudos to June and Cory for making that extra effort to provide a great memento of a great achievement.

Race bib, medal, and plaques from my training clinic.

But the next presentation was even more of a surprise: I was awarded “Most Outstanding Runner” in the group. I certainly wasn’t the fastest in the group, but I’m sure the award was for dedication. I feel that the commitment (in time and effort) required just to train for a marathon should not be taken lightly, and I realized that from the beginning. The clinic’s structure was something I needed to train properly and minimize injury, and the group setting provided great encouragement, support, and camaraderie, something I have not experienced since my first ever training clinic, which is coming up to four years removed.

I would have been content with the medal and the printable certificate that the Royal Victoria Marathon provides with its race results, but the plaques are a great reminder that what I’ve completed is a remarkable achievement.

Agony and ecstasy: 1st marathon complete!

This past Sunday, I completed my first marathon – an accomplishment that, even a year ago, seemed impossible to achieve. But I committed to the training, gave myself five months, and the result is there.

I didn’t want to think of a finish time, but somehow 4:40 became a default during training. I had to push in the last kilometre, but I sneaked in at a chip time of 4:39:21. I may have just beaten my projected time, but it certainly was not easy, and not the least bit steady.

The halfway split time is the evidence. 2:09:16 would have been a personal best for 21.1 km, but I had another 21.1 to complete, and it was obvious I had gone too fast. I’ll spare you the details of the 2nd half, but suffice to say that I hit the wall before km 32. I did muster just enough in the final kilometre to run it completely and finish with my arms in the air, and resist that temptation to stop my watch as many, many people have told me beforehand.

Don’t get me wrong with this over-analysis; I may have criticized myself constantly in the hours after for what went awry during the run, but it’s a learning experience, and I’m now basking in the glow that comes from completing the first marathon, and I’m ensuring that it won’t be my last. I do recognize the extraordinary commitments required to train for one, so I’m not entirely sure when I can next attempt a marathon, but I hope to try in the next 12-18 months. In the meantime, I’m looking forward to my next event, the Rock ‘n’ Roll Las Vegas Half Marathon in December.

Some numbers that I’ve compiled from 22 weeks of training for this marathon, which surprise me the more I look at them: 745 km (463 mi) run over 75 sessions; weekly totals ranging from 14 to 62 km; two calendar months (August and September) exceeding 160 km (100 mi) run per month.

After all that running, I should go rest my legs…

Tale of the taper

This is it. Less than a week left until M-day, the one event for which I’ve been training all summer, for which I’ve set my sights for almost a full year, and I’m feeling the almost-clichéd simultaneous nervousness and excitement. If nothing else, I’m saddened that it’s almost coming to an end.

When I started this training four months ago, the whole thing was daunting, from tempo runs and hills to the long runs that, at the time, seemed impossible to achieve. Now, 21 weeks and an incredible 683 km (424 mi) later, I’m on the verge of completing my first marathon.

I’ll return next Monday with a wrap and much more thoughts on race weekend.