Vincent Price 

Happy New Year!

"Auld Lang Syne"

With Christmas over and a January 23 election looming on the horizon brighter than Stephen Harpers cluesless blue eyes. In keeping with tradition of many Canadaian's who take advantage of the after Christmas specials to clean up on cheap, used or slightly damaged discount goods, here is my list of polital gifts for this years crop of candidates. Please hum along with the music as you read, this could be the last song some of these candidates hear at this years dance, unless someone requests the less tasteful but yet more appropriate "a**hole" song.

Stephen Harper gets a pair of tweezers to remove that protruding stick from his backside and a copy of a copy of Machiavelli's The Prince. A world map to show him that Canada isn't a northern European welfare state , a copy of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, constitutional law textbooks. A dream catcher because we all know what he would use that for because he just keeps on dreaming. A brain from the wizard!

Paul Martin: A dictionary, to look up the word "hyprocrite, a big kiss from Bono. A Canadian flag so he could pass it on to his sons who now control Canada Steamship Lines. Maybe they could re-raise it on one of the ships that Paul gave a flag of convenience. A giant box of bandages as a little memento for him to hold up high and remind people of all the cuts he made to programs in the '90s, such as health care, military spending, housing etc. Tea and crumpets at Jean Chrétien's house. A new shovel because his is certainly broke from all the crap he's been throwing around. A heart from the wizard!

Jack Layton: A clue and some new flip-flops, he has been going through these like crazy! An old copy of the Communist Manifesto, so he and the NDP can quit hiding there roots. One night's free stay at any hospital in Canada. Courage from the Wizard!

Gilles Duceppe: English muffins and a copy of "You Know Your a Redneck When", so he can quit lying about his roots. The new Larousse Dictionary, the one with definitions for "separation," "independence" and "sovereignty association" in it so that he can decide which one he stands for. A prominent appearance on Molson's newest "I am Canadian/je suis Canadien" advertisement. A flight courtesy of a flying monkey around Canada.

To Sheila Copps, a cork, a sock, pie ... anything! She will know where to put it.

To all Canadians, a memory, as people seem to have forgotten that Paul Martin was "cutting the budgets" like crazy a decade ago. Suddenly, he's the defender of our socialist ideals? And a giant foam finger so we can better wave our indignation for all of the wrongs we the people have suffered. It would say "#1," in both French and English.

To the Conservative party, a platform. Running a "we're not them" campaign will not work as most people prefer the devil they know.

To the NDP, The Wealth of Nations so they can reminise about 'what was once' over a cup of joe and a box of Tim bits, because a 'Hortons will be the only place the NDP Party will be able to afford after January 23.

Later,
Kenaz

The Kenaz Awards For 2005

http://www.frinkism.com/collective/973/9400.jpg. The awards for those who made the headlines in 2005 in the spirit of this site.

Welcome to the first annual Kenaz awards. No glitz, no glamour, no expensive hand outs. Just a cold beer and some cheese to celebrate the stories that made you cheer, jeer or say 'Good lord!".

Missed The Boat Award
Goes to Canadian Prime Minister Paul Martin for thinking his proposed handgun ban will stop the growing violence on Toronto streets and in other cities.

Warm and Fuzzies Award
Goes to nine year old Hannah Taylor who addressed Toronto's leaders of business on the subject of the growing homeless problem.

Person of the Year
Bill and Melinda Gates who give more money away to hummanitarian efforts than the Canadian government does! Need I say more.

Humanitarian Award
Angelina Jolie for her work with refugee children.

Iron Man Award
Hands down the biggest sports story was Lance Armstrong beating Cancer and winning his Seventh Tour de France

Anger Management Award
Russell Crowfor throwing a phone in a hotel in New York.

Injustice Award and Biggest Loser Award
The U.S and George Bush for denial of the truth, that it is time to leave Iraq

Wack Job of the Year
Tom Cruise for his many rants this year. ranging from his declaration of love to Oprah to blasting Brooke Sheilds for taking anti-depression medication.

Rockin the Planet Award
Live 8

Finally Something Good on TV Award
Chef Jamie Oliver's proactive assault on the school meals "crisis" in England

Wacky News Story of the Year
The six-foot alligator found protruding from the mid-section of a 13-foot Burmese python.

Bizzaro World Award
This has got to be the funniest thing I have seen in years. In case you missed it, here's Mike Tyson singing "Monster Mash" from the Halloween episode of Jimmy Kimmell.


Over Hyped Story of the Year
The $100 dollar laptop Where are these poor kids in Africa supposed to plug this damn thing in?

On the Horizon Award
Already a big story in Europe and Asia if it isn't stopped the Bird Flue can be next years Tragic Story of the Year.

Career Achievement Award
To Peter Jennings for his contributions to making the world a more understandable place.

Tragic Story of the Year
A tie.
Tsunami in Southeast Asia
Hurricane Katrina

Later,
Kenaz

Best Commercials of 2005

Advertisers have certainly ran the gamut of taste this year with their offering of television ads. I don't want to induce nausia by bringing up the plethera of underwear splatter that inindated our air waves. Lets just say the worst ad award goes to "Go Daddy.com" for treating their customers like cavemen. Their ads depict a now WWE "Diva" performing an impromptu strip tease at a congressional hearing type conference. Gimme a break! Thank god Sergey Brin and Larry Page, founders of the number one search engine "Google" don't need to stoop as low as Bob Parsons

Now lets get on with my picks for the best television ads for 2005. These are all from www.ifilm.com

All of these open in Windows Media Player,

Anheuser Busch-Bud Light: Cedric the Entertainer

CareerBuilder.com: Monkey Business

CareerBuilder.com: More Monkey Business

CareerBuilder.com: Kissing Monkey Butt

Visa: Can Superheroes Help?

Quizno's: Talking Baby

Pizza Hut: It's the Muppet Show

Degree for Men

Ameriquest: Cat Killer

These Canadian Ads are from www.canada4life.ca/videos.php and are in .mmv format.

Molson- Do you really want to hurt me?

Molson-Pet Beaver

From http://www.advertisementave.com

Federal Express-Castaway

Mastercard-Speding Quality Time with Your Family -Featuring Homer Simpson

Apple-Flight with Verne and Yao

Budweiser-What's Up - Outer Space

As far as some of my favourite new ones, at the top of the list has to be that new Geico commercial with Tony Little pretending to advertise his exercise machine. The

"I just saved a ton of money on my auto insurance by switching to Geico... YOU CAN DO IT!!"

The only thing better is if they got Susan Powter to poke fun of her ads from the eighties, the ones in which she screams "Stop the Insanity!".

Later,
Kenaz

My 2006 Calendar

January, start of a new year for the family.
February
March, my parents aniversery.
April, the union.
May, for my mom. Always Eternal.
June, for Dad. All and then some more was always provided.
July
August, for my craft.
September, pride.
October, Halloweem.
November, my birthday.
December, Christmas.

Later,
Kenaz

Satellite Maps of Hamilton

A while back I came across a great new feature added to Google. Google Maps allows you to view an address either with a standard map or in a neat satellite map version. They also have a Hybrid mode showing the street names overlayed. The satellite map is great when a visual reference of a unfamilliar location is greatly needed. As an example, a couple of weeks ago the final episode of "The Amazing Race" aired. I had to laugh when one team could not locate the CN Tower in Toronto, standing a few blocks away. I guess looking up was too obvious when locating a 822 foot tower that is visible from miles away. Anyway I digress, I went fooling around and captured some great satellite shots of Hamilton.

My street, also visable is Ivor Wynn Stadiun, home of the Hamilton Tiger Cats of the Canadian Footbal League.
My street
Royal Botanical Gardens, Burlington, Ontario
Gage Park
Gage Park
City Hall and the Canadian Footbal Hall of Fame
Downtown Hamilton, King and James
Lock Street Bakery is a famous Hamilton place to get the freshest bagels, baked on the premise. Across the street is the Bulldog Cafe, around the corner is my agent.

Later,
Kenaz

Willie Johnson

I picked up this little piece of gold this year after compiling a few hundred MP3's to be used on my online radio site. http://www.live365.com/stations/theeternalkenaz?play. The station plays mainly OTR radio programs from the Golden Era of radio, but I also play a large number of classic blue and jazz tracks. While compiling my playlists I came across several tracks by Blind Willie Johnson, one of which was Dark Was the Night. I was so moved by this track, I ran out of the house and headed for the local CD place. A search of the racks turned up a copy of a 1998 compilation CD of Johnson of the same title. For a little sum of $9.98 CDN what you get is an experience she won't forget. Below is a detailed review of this song and album, including lyrics

Blind Willie Johnson - Dark Was the Night (1998)[Columbia/Legacy]

http://www.emusic.com/m3u/song/10587489/10514685.m3u

Reviews:
Even in the blues, a style capable of wrenching unexplainable emotions from its audience, Blind Willie Johnson has few equals. With a voice capable of alternating effortlessly between sublime, trembling tenor and the sound of pure gravel, and unparalleled skill with the bottleneck (and knife), Johnson recorded 30 sides for Columbia (1927-1930) that stand as a high-water mark for both country blues and raw gospel. Given the fact that his entire output has been issued by both Yazoo and Columbia, it's difficult to imagine opting for this single disc. Anyone looking for more material will be forced to purchase sets with redundant selections. Still, if you are only seeking one collection, you cannot go wrong with Dark Was the Night. Included are both "God Moves on the Water" and "Dark Was the Night, Cold Was the Ground," which are both utterly necessary, along with the classics "Praise God I'm Satisfied," "Jesus Make Up My Dying Bed," "John the Revelator," and 11 others. "God Moves" is a slide masterpiece in which Johnson's guitar interjections and responses become as captivating as his voice and a tale of the Titanic sinking at the will of God. "Dark Was the Night" is an otherworldly performance of gorgeously spun slide lines and Johnson's wordless moaning, aimed straight at the heart. Everything else on hand is nothing less than emotionally rich, consummately executed and spiritually charged blues at its very best. ~ Nathan Bush, All Music Guide

DARK WAS THE NIGHT
(Gallagher/Jackson/Blind Willie Johnson) Universal

Dark was the night
Cold was the ground
No one in sight
I 'm alone

Too hard my heart
I'll cut off my tounge
The things I've said
The things I've done

I was a fool
And just like a fool
I was as blind as I was cruel

Dark was the night
Cold was the ground
No one in sight
Just me and the moon

Dark was the night
Cold was the river
As I refected apon
The things I couldn'r give her

I built a house
Couldn't make it a home
So I painted the walls
and left her alone

She was strong
For so so long
By the time I came round
She was gone

Dark was the night
Cold was the ground
No one in sight
Now I 'm alone

Brendan Gallagher : vocal, guitars, percussion, treated piano, national steel
Michael Galeazzi : double bass
Stuart Eadie : kick and hats
Jason Cooney : saxophone
Kath Weymss : backing vocals

"Blind" Willie Johnson (c. 1902-1945), was a blues and gospel musician, one of the greatest exponents of slide or bottleneck guitar, as well as one of the most revered figures of depression-era gospel music. His music is distinguishable by his powerful bass strumming and gravelly false-bass voice, with occasional use of a tenor voice.

While 1902 is most frequently given as his year of birth, earlier dates or estimates are also given; he may have been born as early as 1897. According to different sources, Johnson was either born in Marlin, Texas or at least spent part of his childhood there. Johnson was not born blind, and, although it is not specifically known how his condition came about, it is widely believed that his stepmother, in a fit of rage, blinded him when he was 7 years old by throwing lye in his face.

Like many destitute people with physical disabilities at the time, Blind Willie Johnson earned his living from music. His father would often leave him on street corners to sing for money, where his powerful voice left an indelible impression on passersby (legend has it that he was arrested for nearly starting a riot at a New Orleans courthouse with a powerful rendition of "If I Had My Way I'd Tear the Building Down", a song about Samson and Delilah).

Johnson remained poor until the end, preaching and singing in the streets to anyone who would listen. In 1945, his home inexplicably burned to the ground. With nowhere else to go, Johnson lived in the burned ruins of his home until, two weeks later, he contracted pneumonia and died.

He made some 30 commercial recording studio record sides for Columbia Records from 1927 through 1930. His records have kept his music tremendously influential and his songs have been covered by several popular artists, including Led Zeppelin who covered 'Nobody's Fault But Mine' and Beck and The White Stripes who have covered 'John the Revelator'. Some of his most famous recordings include his rendition of the famous gospel song "Let Your Light Shine On Me", as well as the raw, powerful "Dark Was The Night, Cold Was The Ground", about the crucifixion of Jesus.

Johnson's recording of "Dark Was The Night, Cold Was The Ground" was included on the Voyager Golden Record, sent into space with the Voyager spacecraft in 1977. This recording also got Johnson mentioned on an episode of the fictional television series The West Wing (see "The Warfare of Genghis Khan"); the fictional Assistant White House Chief of Staff Josh Lyman using Johnson's recording to show the depth and soul behind the space program. The song is also used in Walk the Line, a biopic of country singer Johnny Cash; and The Devil's Rejects, a serial killer film by rocker Rob Zombie. Ry Cooder, who based his desolate soundtrack to Paris, Texas on "Dark Was the Night (Cold Was the Ground)," described it as "The most soulful, transcendent piece in all American music."

"Dark was the night" is a “moan.” A moan is simply a style of wordless singing. And since it is a lament without words, we are left to wonder about the singer’s personal story, experiencing only his pain. Johnson’s “Dark Was the Night” moan is both gorgeous and eerie at the same time as the sliding notes on the guitar strings chase and match the singer’s haunting, wordless vocals.

Later,
Kenaz

Rune Reading For The Week Of December 26, 2005-January 1, 2006

Introduction to Rune Readings

Rune readings are arrangements of the 24 runes (letters) of the old Futhark alphabet. The layout of the runes is known as a spread, and determines what each rune refers to. For example, in the Three Norns spread, the first rune represents the past, the second the present, and the third the future.

Sets: In addition to each rune having a meaning, the material in which the runes are carved can color the reading. Most people consistently use runes made of ceramic, stone, or wood. In order to broaden your experience, we offer readings with Gold Runes (for questions about business, career, and property), Jade Runes (for questions about love, friendship, and relationships), Ice Runes (for questions about struggle, conflict, and achievement), Spirit Runes (for questions about mysticism, spirituality, and religion), and Stone Runes (for questions about the natural world and things beyond human control).

The question will remain the same: "Will this week be a successful one?"

Rune Alphabet



Spread:Cross(in order of reading)
The Cross spread is used to plot the arc of your life and the forces acting on it. It is the most popular spread, giving a very complete view of the situation. Ice Runes are most commonly used for questions about struggle, conflict, and achievement.




Here is the Reading Using the Ice Set.

1.


The left rune represents an important element of the past. Ken is the rune of light and knowledge. The rune is shown reversed representing a state of darkness or ignorance. Either you are unable to obtain information that you need, or the information is being withheld from you. In darkness there is fear, but remember that darkness does not mean isolation. Friendship and comfort can still be available, although they are not immediately visible.

2.


The middle rune represents a deciding element of the present. Thurisaz represents a thorn, the most basic of barriers to our boon or our bane. In the case of hedges, thorns protect our encampments from that which skulks towards us from the outlands. In the case of rosebushes, thorns keep us from beauty. Though thorns are passive and have no thoughts, they puncture, tear, and may even be poisonous. Hence, this rune may also represent irrational violence and anger.

3.


The right rune represents the critical element of the future, at the core of the final outcome. Raido is the rune of riding, as in a cart or as cargo. It is seen here reversed, suggesting a disruption of travel or communication. Etiological analysis of this rune has also given it interpretations of advice or justice, and of being in a position of moral correctness. Reversed, there is an indication of the lack of solid council, or the holding of a position that is not morally sound.

4.


The top rune represents a force that works for you. Ger is one of the runes that touches on the cycles of the year, in this case the fall harvest. These cycles are eternal, which is represented in the rune by the fact that it is unchanged by reversal. Ger can represent pregnancy or other forms of fruitfulness, and is especially indicative of the cycles of providence and karma - that which has been sown is now being reaped. This rune can also represent the cycles of wealth, for crops were frequently a sign of wealth.

5.


The bottom Rune represents a force that works against you. Sowelu is a strong symbol, for it represents the sun. Unlike equatorial cultures who may see the sun as a harsh and imperial force capable of causing droughts, in the cold north the sun is a purely feminine force that gives life and allows crops to grow. In dark times, this rune represents clarity of sight and the victory of good over evil. Sowelu is irreversible, as the cycles of the sun and seasons are perpetual.

If you are further interested in Rune stones, please check out a script I wrote about three years ago. The story tells of a women's chance encounter with the towns rune reader and physcic. Her reading leads to a terrible discovery about her ex-husband.Click here to read 'Evil Of A Different Kind'

Later,
Kenaz

Christmas 2005

Me! happily showing off my gifts, a photo of Jen's kids with Santa at the mall, and a book called "Our World's a Stage: The Summers Family Story" by Robert James Williamson. The Summers where the pioneers of theater in Hamilton. 

Kevin and Jennifer with Brandon and Trevor with Santa.  

Denise with her Santa baby. 

Wayne and Nancy with Tara and Christine and Santa. 

Dave and Patrice with David, Max,Shane,Dillon,Tim and Santa 

Kenneth with Santa. 

Brandon and Trevor with Santa 

Rosanne, Larry, Trevor with Santa. 

Christmas Wishes

A Christmas Prayer
Robert Louis Stevenson

O God, our loving Father, help us
Rightly to remember the birth of Jesus,
That we may share in the song of the
Angels, the gladness of the shepherds
And the worship of the wise men.

Close the door of hate and open the
Door of love all over the world.

Deliver us from evil by the blessing
That Christ brings, and teach us
to be merry with clear hearts.

May the Christmas morning make us happy
To be thy children and the Christmas
Evening bring us to our beds with
Grateful thoughts, forgiving, and
Forgiven, for Jesus' sake. Amen.

My Christmas Wish List For 2005

1.The release of Canadians James Loney, 41, and Harmeet Sooden, 32, Briton Norman Kember, 74, and American Tom Fox, 54 from Iraq.

2.Peace for the victims of last December's earthquake and tsunami in Thailand, lets start the rebuilding process.

3.My heart goes out to all the victims of Hurricane Katrina down in New Orleans and all along the Gulph. They say home is where the heart is, if that's so these people are mansions. That said, lets not fall into the trap of charity emphathy. Two major catastrophies in a year has strained our already fragile charitable purse strings, but we must continue to aid our fellow man.

4.Watching the construction finally begin on a 1.2 million-square-foot film/media complex 'megastudio' in Toronto. The planned 'Filmport' will be built in Toronto's port area. As Toronto continues to take a back seat to Vancouver studios regarding big budget films, construction on the C$275 million project, on land owned by the Toronto Economic Development Corp. (Tedco), will now begin summer 2006. The first phase of Filmport will include six soundstages, with a 45,000-square-foot stage and production office/support facilities totaling 232,000 square feet. Filmport is expected to house more than a dozen soundstages totaling 550,000 square feet of production space. This will prosperity to an acting community that sorely needs it.

5.The Canadian Junior Hockey team to bring home the world championships!

And finally a brand new clip and a pair of screen captures from a holiday offering called "A Recipe For A Perfect Christmas" starring Christine Baranski and Carly Pope, in which I appear as a waiter. The MOW was shot in Toronto back in September. From the Lifetime Network in the U.S, here is the movie synopsis.

What don't you want to deal with during the holidays?
a. Your boyfriend dumping you
b. Burning out at your job
c. Your mother showing up uninvited
d. All of the above

Did you answer "All of the above"? Sure you did. Unfortunately, all these nightmares are raining on J.J. Jenner's holiday parade. But things may be looking up when this low-level magazine employee gets a shot at writing a prestigious food column. There's only thing standing in the way: her wacky, scene-stealing mom who's draining J.J.'s energy and patience. The solution? J.J. promises a hot new restaurant owner that she'll check out his bistro if he distracts Mommie Dearest by taking her out on a few dates. But her foolproof plan backfires in a way she never saw coming — you'll have to see for yourself!

Break out the eggnog! This funny and romantic flick is just what you need to make your holiday perfectly delightful.

Recipe For a Perfect Christmas(2005)

Recipe For a Perfect Christmas(2005)


http://rapidshare.de/files/9779553/Recipe_For_A_Perfect_Christmas.mpg.html

Later,
Kenaz

Feed From Norad Of Santa Entering Canadian Air Space

Norad Santa

Norad Santa

Later,
Kenaz