Lookin' Back For A Sec...

...this Illustration Friday thing is dope! I've had a ton of folks coming over here checking out my weblog for something I've done artistically instead of my salacious musings, which feels stupendous. On the other hand, I miss writing about all things dirty, and the cursing. It became such a part of me that I'm missing it's presence. I'm considering opening up a second blog for the dirty stuff. I'll give it some thought.

Related links:
Robot Johnny (where I first heard about Illustration Friday) • Penelope Illustration (home of Penelope Dullaghan, creator of Illustration Friday)

Illustration Friday: "Gluttony"

Friar Tuck Style, 2005 • Pencil and Photoshop®

This was fun to do. I just did small drawings of the pig-man's head, arm, and the turkey leg and put 'em together.
The inspiration for this: Many young Canuck adults have episodes of Rocket Robin Hood lodged in their craniums, and I'm no exception. Between commercial breaks, you'd see profiles of Little John, Rocket Robin Hood, and Friar Tuck. The most memorable thing in Tuck's segment was his steamroller eating style, which had him taking one bite out of a food item and tossing it over his shoulder. Good times.

Random Thoughts: January 25th, 2005

• I'm bored, and I have no right to be. There's a lot of stuff to do.
• I'm in emotional limbo at the moment. I've designated 2005 as "The Year Al Moves Out", so home isn't as comfortable as it should be, and I can't live here (school). Ugh.
• I've got a few stacks of the New Yorker from 1999 - 2000 that the library was discarding. Good times, y'all.
• I love my girlfriend, but right now, I wanna boink every fly female in sight. The fine line between thinking and doing and doing the right thing in the end separates me from the animals, yo.
• I had the distinct pleasure of hearing Fatlip's "Whatchagonnado" via www.freemotionhiphop.com this week. When, when, WHEN is he gonna drop his solo album? "Whatchagonnado" is an instant classic. Finger-lickin' good.
• I think I need treatment for internet addiction, if such a program exists. I love the info. And the porn.
  

Toning it down, kinda...

I've already started with my language around here, now I gotta give the content a try. I wanna contribute stuff to Illustration Friday, and to prevent my link from getting erased, I'm gonna try to clean things up around here. Or at least I'm gonna try to...we'll see how long this experiment lasts. I forgot to mention that the Imageshack thumbnail to the right is my contribution to Tastes Like Chicken's February Sketchbook. You like? Don't get me wrong, now that I have Sarah, I actually dig Valentine's Day. I just thought, "hey, wouldn't someone's heart on a nail be the ultimate valentine?" Twisted, yes, but that's how I rock, dawg. Recognize.
I'd like to take this moment to say that the Mates of State are the cutest rock n' roll couple ever. Here's a quote from POP77's Chris that rather accurately describes their sound:

"It's the sound of an elementary school choir, rushing down the hall on Christmas morning and the breathless exhilaration of a first kiss."

How can you not listen to 'em after that, huh? Peep their newfangled site.

R.I.P Johnny Carson

...the king of late night. When I was growing up, being on Carson was a big deal. He reeked of class. Leno took The Tonight Show into suburban housewife gutter. I can't wait until Conan takes over.
Hey...everybody take a big swing for ol' Johnny.

Deciphering Amy

I've figured out a couple of things about Ms. Codename: Amy through her photos:

1. She's a Canuck; specifically, a Torontonian (there's a picture of Honest Ed's in one of her posts, and there's a Tim Hortons cup in one of her desk shots).
2. Judging from the tops she wears at her desk, she works at a hospital or clinic.
3. She's getting less and less bashful as the months progress. How much further will she go? Who knows?
4. She's kinda fine.

Update: Other folks told Fleshbot about their suspicions, and now there's proof.

Some good advice from Fleshbot and other stuff...

Be careful when downloadin'.
That goes without saying, really, but it's good to heed the warnings every once in a while.

other stuff...
Today I came across the work of furry artist Chris Goodwin while checking out gigposters today. He's pretty freakin' talented, in my opinion. Check out his site at www.eselkunst.com.

Here are a couple of things that I've been working on:


I like the first one better. I might have to revamp the last one, which I thought was done (my instructor disagrees).

Getting back to Fleshbot for a sec, I found this weblog through them: http://codenameamy.blogspot.com/
I, uh...like it.

Get the Fuck Outta Here!

This shit ain't right, man. I went downstairs (I'm at school, see) to grab a "healthy" snack. Of course, the Merc (Red River Merchantile) doesn't really have anything like that. I figure I'll grab myself a bag of Peanut Butter M&M's®, because they're, like, sinfully good.
$3.07 for these motherfuckers? Come on! That shit ain't right at all. I always knew they were a tad costly, but FUCK!


That's it...I gotta clean up my language. I'm beginning to make myself sick.

Still ain't right, though.

"Caaaaan Yooooou Dig Iiiiiiit?"

I have gigposters.com regular Jeff LaChance to thank for this here link:
http://warriorsmovie.co.uk/
I gotta see this film again.

Random Thoughts: January 15th, 2005

One minute self portrait, Dec. 21st, 2004

• I'm the only motherfucker here (in the classroom) right now. I'm constantly surprised by that.
• I'm headed to Ivory in a couple hours, followed by a little 5-pin. Should be cool. I'm in the mood for some butter chicken.
• I was just at the Cream Gallery, and I picked up a Fiona Smyth print (today was the last day of her solo show). She's so good...I miss seeing her work in Exclaim! My mentor Stephen Boychuk is gonna have some pieces in Cream's upcoming show "Love 2005". Should be dope.
• I caved in and bought Chris Ware, a book that's part of the Monographics series, where certain designers/illustrators are examined in depth. I gotta get the Chip Kidd one (it's not mentioned in the above link, but it exists). This purchase may have just served to feed my artistic insecurity/penis envy, but so be it.
• I was dismayed to find out that Jay Ryan's "Squirrels Taking Risks" poster is all sold out. *sigh*
• Gotta get some work done. Peace.

EDIT: Additional Thoughts

• The cover for the new Farm Fresh album is one of P & C's best yet. Here's the skinny.
• Yesterday, I got to flip through the photo book XXX: 30 Porn Star Portraits. It's pretty cool; each photo of the porn practioners with clothes on is accompanied by a nude one in an identical pose. They stand right there before you, unvarnished. I liked it. Want more info? Yes you do, fucker. http://www.thexxxbook.com/new/
  

The Acme Novelty Date Book

As far as I'm concerned, no Chris Ware fan should be without this here book. If his work has ever made you want to break all your pencils, this won't change your mind. However, you will see him as something a little more human. This thing is filled with hyper-critical notes-to-self and abandoned or half-finished ideas, just like a lot of other sketchbooks. It's almost hard to read sometimes...you want to tell him to "get a fuckin' grip". At any rate, it's a truly facinating look inside the mind of one of the most brilliant individuals in comics today.

Amazon's got it.

AL30: All the highlights.

I've hinted at it previously, but now it's here...I have turned 30 today. Instaed of pissin' and moanin' like I usually do with my birthday, I've decided to accept the inevitablity of the aging process. I'm looking at it positively: I'm still good-lookin' (IMHO), all of my limbs work, I've got a great girl, and I'm employed. Things are pretty fuckin' good.

Let me take you on a journey...

• January 11th, 1975: I was born...duh. St. Boniface hospital was where I touched down.
• 1978-1980: Two significant musical moments in my life - The Rolling Stones Black and Blue was my first rock n' roll album, and I was exposed to rap music to the first time through K-tel's Dance to the Music ("Rapper's Delight", of course).
• 1980-87: I attended Mulvey School, a fine little elementary institution. This is where I became the champion of unrequited love, falling for a different girl each year. In 1981, I kissed the snotty upper lip of a girl named Charity. A watershed moment if I do say so myself. I was teased mercilessly because of my weight, and I fought back, developing a terrible temper in the process. I also developed my drawing "talent", which I thought I'd parlay into an animation career. That changed when everything took a back seat to my pro wrestling obsession in '85.
• 1987-1993: Gordon Bell High was where I spent my formative years. It was a new time in my life, so I developed a new vocabulary: I started swearing. In '88, rap music was killin' it on the mainstream tip, and I was right along with it listening to Stone Cold Rhymin' and Loc-ed After Dark. I continued my lovelorn ways, falling for several girls that had no interest in me. There was at least one instance of mutual attraction, but of course I managed to fuck that up. It's probably for the best, I could've ended up a teen father. I had my first date with Jodi M. in '92...she stomped on my heart later, but that's water under the bridge. My close friends and I continued to bond over episodes of Kids in the Hall, where re-enacting their skits was akin to youngemcees battling at the lunchtable.
• 1988-1995: I kept my first job for nearly 8 years. I delivered prescriptions for Broadway Pharmacy, located on the corner of Young & Broadway. It was a rough area, so I grew up fast.
• 1993-98: After high school, I spent some time at Robertson College learning the craft of radio broadcasting, and audio/video production at the National Institute of Broadcasting. I ended up working at Musiplex, Winnipeg's best music store at the time. Thank you, higher education! Things turned around for me when I met the love of my life, Sarah Mackenzie. She fuckin' rules.

You know what? I'm boring myself with this. I pictured this a lot more witty.
The point is, things right now are pretty good. I'm gonna dwell on that.

Tasty Trixie

This is one of those sites I'd subscribe to if I wasn't broke and still living with my mom.
Trix's got a nice arse and a cute smile. Yup.
Not for kids.

Dr. Colossus Goes A-Bloggin'

My man Jeope Wolfe (fka Dr. Colossus, my most frequent weblog commenter) has decided to do his own weblog thing, and it looks pretty fuckin' cool.
Jeopopolis
I'm so proud (sniff).

EDIT: In keeping with what Jeope's doing, and checking out Salgood Sam's blog, I think I might try to post more sketches n' whatnot on this blog. Could be fun!

Overdue Props For B of NA: The Making of the Coolest Atmosphere Poster

I'm not sure if I've mentioned just how dope Burlesque of North America is. These midwest mofos have talent for days. It's disgusting how good they are, really. I mean, take a gander at this new Atmosphere seven show poster that Wezz cooked up. Beautiful, huh? Shit. Now if that wasn't enough, Wezz hit us off with how he put this beautiful fuckin' thing together:
"Shameless ego stroking for the Burlesque Atmosphere poster"
Jeezus. If I wasn't typing at the moment, I'd be paralyzed by jealousy.

Related links:
Burlesque • Rhymesayers

Uh...WOW.

A delicate clay orange. Props to Design is Kinky for the link.

Al'z 2004 Wrap-up Clusterfuck

Happy New Year, folks! This post is brought to you by the good folks at Mozilla, makers of Firefox, which I've decided to use exclusively for my internet activities. Word.

I know it's already been said by many, but please send your prayers towards the tsunami/earthquake victims. And if you've got cash, go to the Red Cross, and hit 'em off with some.

Alright now...let me send some belated Christmas/New Year/Kwanzaa/Hannukah/Festivus wishes out to my internet bretheren/sisteren:

• AnnMarie of prettyfat.com
• Troy and E. of urbantherapy.org
• Clay and all the members of gigposters.com
• everyone at the break bread board
• the whole drawingboard crew
• Andrea!
• anyone operating a MP3 blog right now, including Mr. Pointon, Mr. Wang, Noz, and a whole gang of others. Y'all keep me musically on top of things.
• The folks at Fleshbot, the Eon McKai board, AVN, and the IAFD. Y'all keep pornographically on top of things.
• ...and anyone else that thinks they deserve a nod.

I'd also like to give a shout-out to Bobby Dixon, Mister Reusch, Dale "Tooth" Flattum, Schizo, Scrojo and any other person from gigposters that I had a lot of communication with over the year. Peace.

Al'z Album Top 10!

1. Madvillain - Madvillainy
2. Pip Skid - Funny Farm
3. John Smith - Pinky's Laundromat
4. Tom Waits - Real Gone
5. Walkmen - Bows and Arrows
6. De La Soul - The Grind Date
7. Kanye West - The College Dropout (I don't actually own Kanye's album, but a fellow student had it on her iTunes, so I got to witness his production skillz)
8. Sixtoo - Chewing On Glass and Other Miracle Cures
9. Black Keys - Rubber Factory
10. The Break Bread Crew - Break Bread EP

'Nuff said, really. Madvillainy was one of the most satisfying releases I bought this year. Not only that, it's one of the most satisfying releases - rap-wise - I've heard since the mid-90s.
Pip's sophmore solo joint blew my mind. He's grown so much as an emcee not only since '93, but since his last album, Friends 4 Ever. He's saying more with less by not cramming his lines with a ton of words.
Growth is also apparent on John Smith's album, Pinky's Laundromat. Smiznith really became a gritty storyteller on this release, something that came forth on a few tracks from his debut. All-in-all, Pinky's is a great North End Winnipeg travel guide.
The rhythm of Tom Waits' Real Gone is very strong. It's probably his most danceable album yet, and I love it. It's toe-tappin' lovely. I would have to say my favorite tune from this album is "Make It Rain", because it has the most conventional drumming I've heard in a Waits tune in a long while, so it stands out from the rest of the album, but a good chunk of his catalog.
The Walkmen delivered on the promise of their first album, Everyone Who Pretended To Like Me Is Gone with their new one Bows and Arrows. It has their usual mix of melancholy and mania, anchored by the great leadoff single "The Rat". I love Hamilton Leithauser's voice...it's got a torch song / cabaret kind of feel.
I'll admit to having written-off De La just a little bit due to their past two albums, but they came correct this time. Really correct. The production, rhymes, and the packaging (I'm a nerd, I know.) are dope. Kanye made me a believer again, too. I never listened to anything Roc-A-Fella-related seriously until The College Dropout came along. It's fuckin' solid from top to bottom; something that both the backpackers and Alize-drinkers can enjoy.
Sixtoo's Chewing On Glass album is a very inspriational release for me. Mr. Squire taught himself how to play the Rhodes piano and created a live/sampled masterpiece. It provided a great soundtrack for my cloudier days, even my happier ones...it's versatile. Meeting the man himself was definitely a highlight last year.
The Black Keys' Rubber Factory will be tough for them to top, because it's practically flawless. They managed to combine the lo-fi charm of their first album and the deeper sonics of their second into one amazing package. Basically...this thing can't be fucked with.
Lastly, I had to put the Break Bread EP on this thing, because it holds promise for what happening in the future for these guys. Basically, they got together, wrote some dope posse cuts with beats to match, and just put it out there. I'm thinking that within the next two years, these guys will be courting some Def Jux-type fame.

Al'z "Get the Bozack" Awards

• Ann Coulter: The States allows Canada to exist? Fuck you, you Aryan wet dream!
• Reality Shows: Do I really have to say why they suck? Nope.
• Bill O'Reilly: Go falafel yourself.
• Paris Hilton and Tara Reid: Self-explanatory
• Continual overuse of the word "diva": Hilary Duff? Getthefuckouttahere.

I think that about sums it up. See you next week when I start bitching about turning 30. Peace!