via Walken/Gaga/Cartman ‘Poker Face’ Super Mash-up.

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Hello HPG readers old and new, and welcome to the inner reaches of my brain. Welcome to the hive mind!

I’m sure this isn’t news to any of you who read sites like HotPinkGeek regularly, but I spend a good portion of my time ‘researching’ the most ridiculous things on the internet and sharing them with those who will listen (and a few who really won’t).

Over the next few days I’ll be sharing with you my favourite lists of 2009 — websites, crazy people, whoa-worthy videos — everything you’ve come to expect from HotPinkGeek and more!

Without further ado, here’s today’s list: Websites where you can waste absurd amounts of time!

Now, I’ve not spent a lot of time organizing them into rank – in my head or otherwise – so I want you to look at this list as one solid, flowing piece of crap artwork wherein you could randomly choose a link and be whisked away to a magical land of ridiculous/funny/mind-blowing and lose the better portion of your productive work day. I am to distract and amuse!
And… go! (Click here for HPG’s Top 25 of 2009: Websites where you can waste absurd amounts of time)

I’m an Android lover. I’ve been running an HTC Dream (G1) for about 6 months now after being a loyal WinMo user for years. Don’t get me wrong, I’ll defend WinMo in about 80% of the arguments out there, but Android? Android is really on their game — they’ve got the style, they’ve got the smooth, usable OS, they’ve got regular updates, and they’ve got an impressive app store (sorry, WinMo).

Five months ago the Android Market had 10,000 applications to choose from and now — an impressive 20,000! Okay, okay Apple fanatics, I know you’re not impressed but really doubling the development in a mere five months is not too shabby at all.

Plus,

Number of Android fart apps – 23
Number of iPhone fart apps – 370+

Androlib has made up this chart on the growth of applications, paid and free, in the Android Market:

The Motorola DROID was a big hit and now it’s certainly apparent that the Android Market is gaining some speed.

What’s next, Android?

(As part of Gwen Bell’s “Best of 2009″ Blog Challenge.)

December 10: Album of the year. What’s rocking your world?

Hrmm. This one is certainly a tough one — and any of you who know me know that the difficulty comes in me sorting through the million albums dancing in my head. One album? Alright. Drumroll please!

Now, the rules didn’t specify that the album had to have come out in 2009 so here’s my pick from 2008:

Hey Rosetta! Into Your Lungs

And if you’re going to listen to one track? Try out “We Made a Pact” because it’s my favourite.

Recently I’ve been spending a lot more time at the National Arts Centre here in Ottawa and I must say, I really enjoy being there:  The atmosphere really makes me feel like I’m treating myself to a classy night out, the performers are always awe-inspiring, and Southam Hall is really set up for perfect, mathematical, ear candy.

Every single time I go, I think to myself “Why don’t I come here every week? I love this place!” — and looking into it, I’ve noticed that the prices are very reasonable! And taking a look at upcoming shows/performances, I can find at least a dozen reasons for you to spend more time at the NAC. Here, in fact, are my personal favourite top 5 reasons:

1. Aretha Franklin (November 8th) – She is known the world over by her first name and as the undisputed, reigning “Queen Of Soul,” Aretha Franklin is peerless. This 2005 recipient of a Presidential Medal Of Freedom honor (the U.S.A.’s highest honor), 17 Grammy Awards (and counting), a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award and a Grammy Living Legend Award. She has received countless international and national awards and accolades. Aretha has achieved global recognition on an unprecedented scale. As a musician myself, seeing the one and only Aretha Franklin perform would definitely be the highlight of my year — and it’s attainable! She’s playing right here in my very own city!
2. The Capital One Just For Laughs Comedy Tour (October 30th) -  Capital One and Just For Laughs have assembled some of our funniest alumni to form an All-Star edition of this year’s Capital One Just For Laughs Comedy Tour. Featuring a killer roster of talent from Scotland, Ireland, the U.S., and Canada, this year’s tour is bigger and better than ever, hitting 20 cities across Canada beginning October 19 in St. John’s, NL and wrapping up November 15 in Kelowna, BC. Hot off the heels of his HBO Canada live comedy special, international touring star, Sugar Sammy will host the tour with two very special guests: back by popular demand, Scottish sensation, Danny Bhoy will be rejoining the tour, as well as Irish Megastar, Tommy Tiernan. The show also features past Festival knockout, Pete Correale and the hit of the 2009 Montreal Festival, Godfrey.
3. The National Ballet of Canada The Sleeping Beauty (November 5th – 7th) – When was the last time you really watched a ballet performance? I know for me, I haven’t been to a live performance since I was 11 years old and I remember what an amazing affect it had on me then and while I didn’t grow up to be a ballerina, I have all kinds of love and respect for the art. And Sleeping Beauty is one of my favourite stories — certainly a timeless classic.
4. Chantal Kreviazuk (November 22nd) – I met Miss Kreviazuk in 1999 while she was opening for the Barenaked Ladies. BNL had heard a demo tape of mine and had invited me to join them for their show here in Ottawa and while BNL was my reason for going out, Chantal Kreviazuk made a huge fan of me instantly when I caught a glimpse of her passionate practicing on the piano before the show. She’s truly an amazing and gifted artist and if you’ve never seen her live, do take this opportunity to check her out — you won’t regret it!
5. Royal Winnipeg Ballet Nutcracker (December 2nd – December 6th) – What Christmas would be complete without the Nutcracker? This gorgeous version of the classic tale is a child’s Christmas fantasy. Nutcracker features Filbert the dancing bear, cavorting mice, a sugar-plum fairy, and a magically growing Christmas tree — all wrapped in a turn-of-the-century Canadian setting. Featuring choreography by Nina Menon and Galina Yordanova, scenery by Brian Perchaluk, 175 original costumes by Paul Daigle, Tchaikovsky’s timeless music, and dozens of local children. Nutcracker is a visual and musical spectacle, a holiday confection which preserves the best of the Russian tradition and spices it up with uniquely Canadian ingredients.

This guy was the king of band camp… for sure.

Hot Pink Geek will be attending this Wednesday’s performance at the NAC for Mozart’s Final Piano Concerto and we’d love to see you and a guest there as well!

The NAC Orchestra and conductor Jean-Marie Zeitouni, with stellar soloists, actor Pierre Brault and narrator Bill Richardson to explore the history of Mozart’s music. The first half of this program includes projected images, musical examples performed by the NAC Orchestra and soloists, and theatrical narration; the second half features a performance of the piano concerto in its entirety.

We’re offering two tickets to join us at this special concert — Hot Pink Geek and the NAC want you to have a night out on the town on us!

To enter, shoot me an email at bambi@hotpinkgeek.com with your name and email address and the answer to the following question:

This year is a special anniversary for the NAC.  In what year did The National Arts Centre (NAC) raise its curtains for the first time?

a) 1959

b)1969

c)1979

d)1989

Good luck to you all! We look forward to hearing from you soon!

As you may or may not know, the majority of us here at HotPinkGeek are located in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada (with the exception of a few ditchers out-of-towners, of course).

I wanted to give our local readers a heads up about an upcoming site I’ll be launching soon:

This new site will be featuring more information about local events as well as first-hand reviews of attractions, restaurants, and festivals. That’s right! Be sure to stop by the site to see what’s going on around town! And you can bet your bottom dollar that we’ll have some cool prizes and giveaways, too — vouchers, coupons, free tickets and much more!

Keep your eyes and ears open for the new site launch — I’m excited, are you?

Quick – name something more awesome. You have till 5:15pm EST or else.

[via]

Five years ago, blueVenus played a sold-out CD release show at the Drake Underground in Toronto. blueVenus not only delivered a captivating performance, but were about to make a legitimate mark on Canada’s music scene. The next day the heart of the band – two newly married Berklee College grads, founder singer/songwriter/violinist Andrea de Boer and guitarist/co-songwriter Devrim Eldelekli – left for Germany. What they didn’t know was that for the next two years they would be living on two different continents courtesy of some mean, outdated immigration regulations.

Making the best of a bad situation blueVenus scrounged up funds to reunite briefly; for love, and to share a bill with Garbage and Megadeth at Rock Istanbul, tour Germany, and garner rave reviews. Their live show has been described as “Hypnotic and Impressive” (Frankfurter Allegemeine) and their self-titled debut CD which was produced Juno Award winner by L. Stu Young (Prince) was dubbed “One of the best albums I have heard in a long time” (Guitarre&Bass).

Upon returning to Canada Andrea suffered the sudden loss of a close friend and found herself in another kafka-esque maze of bureaucracy, featuring constant harassment from a collections agency, thanks to a data glitch in her student loan file.

“I was given a lot of lemons,” says Andrea of the ordeal. “What you don’t hear about so much is how sick of lemonade you can become.”

When Devrim was able to return to Canada, the couple had to make strides to patch up their personal and professional lives. The result: “Best Live Acoustic Act” and “Best Female Fronted Band” nominations for the 2006-07 Toronto Independent Music Awards, showcases at NXNE 2007, NewMusicWest 2007, CMW 2008, Big Rock Battle of the Bands Finalists and an Ontario Arts Council grant to help with the production of a full length CD album.

It was at CMW 2008 where Casablanca Media’s Amy Eligh caught blueVenus’s showcase. She would later invite Andrea to a writer’s retreat where Andrea would meet Juno award-winning writer/producer Matt DeMatteo.

Lemonade was made, and shaped the writing of “Grin” -blueVenus’ brand new full length CD produced by the acclaimed DeMatteo (Mobile, Big Wreck, Esthero). With the CD title song’s subtle Latin violin pizz intro and the horn build-up to the reprise “Everyone will say life gave you a lemon you’ve just got to grin” speaks of the white lies we all use to avoid sharing our grief which, incidentally, you can do while dancing. “In Between” marries the post 9/11 desperation of those caught in the middle with a “Low Rider” feel and belting Jazz vocal tones. The smokey intro to “No Time To Waste” builds into a near classic soul song a la “Hey Jude” complete with cheering horns. “Ohrwurm” marries a late 60’s pop/rock sensibility with bilingual lyrics, and a German rap.

The Toronto CD Release Party will be at the Revival on Tuesday, September 22nd at 8pm. Erin Hunt (www.myspace.com/hearerinsmusic) will be opening. A tour will commence on Sept 10th in Burlington, including dates in Montreal and Ottawa.