Was it really that bad?

So it was 26 years ago today that I saw Xanadu in a movie theatre. (Two years before that, I was doing other stuff. But that's a different story.)

The film was panned and did not do well at the box office. But others appreciate it. Over at the Xanadu Preservation Society, there's a web shrine to the flick.

So what is my opinion? Well, I didn't like it at the time. (I really liked the soundtrack, though.) Over the years, though, my opinion has mellowed. It's kitschy, and the story is slight. But there are far worse movies.

I haven't seen Xanadu in a long time. Maybe I'll have to check it out again.

Apply for this job

Multinational Corporate Corporation Company Inc. (MCCCI) [the name has been changed to protect the guilty] is currently accepting online applications for Exploited Worker positions at its web site. The applicant has to provide the usual information about past employment experience, references etc., but there are also some questions that need to be answered.

For posterity, or perhaps pomposity or priggishness or to parade my perspicacity, I have preserved the questions here, and I present them for your perusal.

***

1. Do you agree with our privacy policy? [The privacy policy is set out on the screen.]

2. Can you provide verification of your legal right to work in Canada?

3. Are you between the ages of 18 and 65?

4. Do you have a High School Diploma or equivalent?

5. We are currently recruiting Exploited Worker contract positions. The contracts are typically renewable on a 12-week basis. Are you willing to accept a contract production position with MCCCI?

6. Are you willing and able to work rotating shifts?

7. Are you willing, upon request, to work daily and weekly overtime hours beyond those in your regular workday and regular workweek?

8. New hires may be assigned to our Arctic plant or our Antarctic plant, and may be required to transfer from one location to the other while employed by Multinational Corporate Corporation Company Inc. Are you willing to work at both the Arctic and Antarctic locations?

9. Prior to a job offer are you willing to provide and allow MCCCI to contact your work-related references?

10. Have you ever been discharged from employment or been given a disciplinary action or suspension? Do not include layoffs or plant closings.

11. Have you ever been convicted of a criminal offence for which a pardon has not been granted?

12. In the past three years have you previously participated in the selection process with Multinational Corporate Corporation Company Inc. for a Exploited Worker contract position?

13. How many full-time jobs have you had in the last 5 years?

14. How many temporary/contract jobs have you had in the last 5 years?

15. How many seasonal jobs have you had in the last 5 years?

16. Have you previously been employed with Multinational Corporate Corporation Company Inc.?

17. How many years of previous manufacturing or production experience do you have?

18. Why are you interested in working with Multinational Corporate Corporation Company Inc. (MCCCI)?

19. Why are you interested in an Exploited Worker contract position?

20. If employed, why are you considering leaving your current job?

[Then the real fun starts in the following section.]

1. Read both statements carefully and decide which job you would prefer.
Job A - I must pay attention to small details.
Job B - I am not able to see the outcome of my work.

2. Read both statements carefully and decide which job you would prefer.
Job A - I perform the same motion repeatedly.
Job B - I have little or no opportunity to change job tasks.

3. Read both statements carefully and decide which job you would prefer.
Job A - My supervisor watches me very closely.
Job B - If I am not careful, I could easily get hurt on the job.

4. Read both statements carefully and decide which job you would prefer.
Job A - The work I do makes me physically tired.
Job B - I perform duties that are mindless.

5. Read both statements carefully and decide which job you would prefer.
Job A - My pay is based on the amount of time I’ve been with the organization.
Job B - I am told exactly how to perform my tasks.

6. Read both statements carefully and decide which job you would prefer.
Job A - I rarely have downtime.
Job B - I work the same schedule every day.

7. Read both statements carefully and decide which job you would prefer.
Job A - There is constant noise around me.
Job B - For short periods of time, I am very busy; other times there is nothing to do.

8. Read both statements carefully and decide which job you would prefer.
Job A - My pay is based on the quantity of work I produce.
Job B - My job demands a lot of flexibility in my schedule.

9. Read both statements carefully and decide which job you would prefer.
Job A - Others frequently review my work.
Job B - I have to try to figure out how to do things on my own.

10. Read both statements carefully and decide which job you would prefer.
Job A - I am physically active at work.
Job B - I am paid based on experience and skills.

11. Read both statements carefully and decide which job you would prefer.
Job A - I have the same routine every day.
Job B - It takes a long time for me to hear about the quality of my work.

12. Read both statements carefully and decide which job you would prefer.
Job A - I only communicate with my co-workers when I have a question.
Job B - I must receive approval before changing my task.

13. Read both statements carefully and decide which job you would prefer.
Job A - I perform the same task for a long period of time.
Job B - There is no problem solving in my job.

14. Do you agree with this statement? [There is a statement with a bunch of legalese gobbledygook.]

***

Do you want to work there? Apply now!

Bachman at 63

Today is Randy Bachman's birthday. He's 63.

Having seen RB in concert twice this year, I can say he's definitely still rocking up a storm.

Today is a good day for other reasons too.

Third quarter music recap

In this third quarter of 2006, I have cast the spotlight on some really good music. I’d like to recap the entries for you.

I’ve featured albums from five decades - from the Sixties through the Ohs. Beatles classics to solo favourites. Folk, progressive rock, pure pop. My tastes are diverse – even if I often come back to my very favourite artists.

The song spotlight has shown the same kind of range: prog rock gems, bright 80s pop, a folk masterpiece, songs by favourite artists that have a special place in my heart and brain.

Other than doing a Beatles album the last week of the month, I don’t usually have a great plan to my choices- though you may have noticed that all the highlighted albums and songs in July were by Canadian artists. In August I focused on my top rock heroes.

Here’s the list for you.

Album Spotlight

• A$# 027 Bachman Cummings | The Thunderbird Trax
• A$# 028 Murray McLauchlan | Gulliver's Taxi
• A$# 029 Blue Rodeo | The Days In Between
• A$# 030 Lawrence Gowan | ... But You Can Call Me Larry
• A$# 031 Beatles | Help!
• A$# 032 George Harrison | Cloud Nine
• A$# 033 Paul McCartney / Wings | London Town
• A$# 034 Electric Light Orchestra | Eldorado
• A$# 035 Beatles | White Album
• A$# 036 Moody Blues | Seventh Sojourn
• A$# 037 ABBA | Super Trouper
• A$# 038 Bob Dylan | Blonde On Blonde
• A$# 039 Beatles | A Hard Day's Night

Song Spotlight

• S$# 027 Fludd | What An Animal
• S$# 028 Murray McLauchlan | Try Walkin' Away
• S$# 029 Prism | Young And Restless
• S$# 030 Stan Rogers | Northwest Passage
• S$# 031 Elton John | Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds
• S$# 032 George Harrison | I Don't Want To Do It
• S$# 033 Paul McCartney | Sweet Sweet Memories
• S$# 034 Electric Light Orchestra | Don't Walk Away
• S$# 035 Beatles | Revolution
• S$# 036 Tracey Ullman | They Don't Know
• S$# 037 FM | Phasors On Stun
• S$# 038 Big Country | In A Big Country
• S$# 039 Olivia Newton-John | Suspended In Time

So what’s up for Q4? Wait and see!

S$# 039 Olivia Newton-John | Suspended In Time

There are two reasons that make it particularly appropriate to highlight a song by the wonderful Olivia Newton-John today:

1. It's her birthday. Born September 26, 1948 in Cambridge, England, the Australian chanteuse is 58 years old today. Happy Birthday, Olivia.


2. I saw Xanadu in the cinema 26 years ago this week. It was on September 30, 1980, in fact. Suspended In Time is from the soundtrack of that film.

Xanadu is, of course, the much-maligned roller disco movie that Olivia starred in back in 1980, her follow-up to the smash success Grease. Regardless of what one thinks of the movie - and I'll have more to say about that on the 30th - it's hard to deny the quality of the music that went into it: five Olivia songs and five ELO songs, one of which had Olivia singing lead instead of Jeff Lynne. The album produced several big hits.Suspended In Time is not one of the hits, but it's actually my favourite Olivia track on the album.

Written and produced by long-time ONJ collaborator John Farrar, SIT is a plaintive love song that expresses the enchantment that an immortal muse (ONJ as Kira, actually aka Terpsichore, the muse of dance) feels for a mere mortal, Sonny (Michael Beck). But the song works outside the context of the movie. It's a universal message, about overcoming the odds to make love work:

A child and a fool in one
So sure I could need no one
My heart always on the run to nowhere
Now as you're holding me
My heart is reminding me
That now I could never be without you

But how can our love succeed
A miracle is what we need
And so I appeal to you

Keep me suspended in time with you
Don't let this moment die
I get a feeling when I'm with you
None of the rules apply
But I know for certain
Goodbye is a crime
So love if you need me
Suspend me in time

Wasted the time away
Holding your love at bay
Now I can't last a day without you
Your smile is a thrill to see
Your eyes hold me tenderly
They'll shine in my memory forever

Olivia sings it with great emotion. It's a mystery to me why this song was not released as a single - one that might have made it as big as Hopelessly Devoted To You from Grease.

Suspended In Time is available only on the Xanadu soundtrack, which you can buy at Face The Music Online. The album may or may not be up for remastering as part of Sony/BMG's ELO reissues.

(Observant Brain Capacity readers will note that SIT is the second song I've spotlighted from Xanadu - the other being ELO's superb Don't Walk Away last month.)

A$# 039 Beatles | A Hard Day's Night

The album that accompanied the Beatles' first, brilliant movie was just as brilliant. And it marked a first (and only, in fact) - all the songs were Lennon-McCartney songs. No covers here. (They'd be done with covers after two more albums - but by then George would have at least one track per disc.)

When the Fabs stepped before the cameras on March 2, 1964 to begin filming scenes for A Hard Day's Night, they'd already had a head start on the music. In fact, they recorded Can't Buy Me Love in France (on January 29) even before heading out to America. After they got home, it was straight back to Abbey Road, where they worked on You Can't Do That, And I Love Her and I Should Have Known Better on February 25.

Recording continued before and after the filming for the movie. In fact, the title song was recorded on April 16, when production was just about finished on the film. John wrote the song in one night, and they recorded in during one session on April 16, in nine takes.

With its Ringo-supplied cheeky title,and its mysterious, memorable open chord, AHDN is a superb opener for the album. As George Martin commented, "We knew it would open both the film and the soundtrack LP, so we wanted a particularly strong and effective beginning. The strident guitar chord was the perfect launch."

Further tracks were recorded through June. The British LP was released July 10, 1964. The seven songs from side 1 were featured in the movie, and side 2 included seven more great songs. It's interesting to note that 12 of the 14 tracks have a personal pronoun in the title, indicative of Lennon and McCartney's lyric style at the time.

What's particularly revealing about this album is it shows that Lennon & McCartney could write superb songs, and the Beatles could record them masterfully, under great time pressure and public scrutiny. From rocking chart-topper singles like AHDN and Can't Buy Me Love to moving ballads such as And I Love Her and If I Fell, the Fabs showed they were a force to be reckoned with. And with their movie, the magic was caught on celluloid as a permanent monument to the mania, the music and the four men from Liverpool.

The US version of the album was different, of course, but the British one - which is what you get on CD - featured all 14 songs.

Track listing:
1. A Hard Day's Night
2. I Should Have Known Better
3. If I Fell
4. I'm Happy Just To Dance With You
5. And I Love Her
6. Tell Me Why
7. Can't Buy Me Love
8. Any Time At All
9. I'll Cry Instead
10. Things We Said Today
11. When I Get Home
12. You Can't Do That
13. I'll Be Back

300

This is my 300th post to Brain Capacity.

That's a milestone of sorts, I guess. It also puts me into new territory - because after this post, I will not be able to retrieve all past posts through the Blogger dashboard. (One can retrieve only the most recent 300.) That's a curious limitation that I don't quite get. Older posts could still be edited, but not as easily.

So I will be going over the posts from the early days of Brain Capacity, to correct any errors I find there.

Anyway, happy 300th. If you've read this far, you must not have any better things to do!

Linda McCartney's birthday

September 24 is Linda McCartney's birthday. She would have been 65 years old.

September 22 many years ago

On September 22, 1978, I watched Diamonds Are Forever on TV. This was Sean Connery's return to the role after sitting out OHMSS. It's also the first time that Blofeld gets his comeuppance.

I also bought a Sony tape deck that day. Unbelievably, I can't remember the model.

One year later, there was a party - and a car crash. It really was not my fault. I was not even in the car. A friend of mine did a three-point turn right into the driver's side front fender. Nuff about that.

Expo blog

A few months ago, I wrote about Expo 67. Today I found a blog that is mostly about that cool world fair. Check out expo lounge.

So many laws, again

You can find all the statutes (and regulations) for Ontario at www.e-laws.gov.on.ca. There are 643 laws listed in the consolidated public statutes sections.

Some of my favourites are the Absentees Act; Bees Act; Conveyancing and Law of Property Act; Disorderly Houses Act; Escheats Act; Habeas Corpus Act; Human Rights Code; Medical Laboratory Technology Act, 1991; Plant Diseases Act; and Wild Rice Harvesting Act.

Here's the whole list:

• Absconding Debtors Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. A.2
• Absentees Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. A.3
• Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005, S.O. 2005, c. 11
• Accumulations Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. A.5
• Adams Mine Lake Act, 2004, S.O. 2004, c. 6
• Administration of Justice Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. A.6
• Age of Majority and Accountability Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. A.7
• Aggregate Resources Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. A.8
• AgriCorp Act, 1996, S.O. 1996, c. 17, Sched. A
• Agricultural and Horticultural Organizations Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. A.9
• Agricultural Employees Protection Act, 2002, S.O. 2002, c. 16
• Agricultural Research Institute of Ontario Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. A.13
• Agricultural Tile Drainage Installation Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. A.14
• Airports Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. A.15
• Alcohol and Gaming Regulation and Public Protection Act, 1996, S.O. 1996, c. 26, Sched.
• Alcoholism and Drug Addiction Research Foundation Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. A.16
• Algonquin Forestry Authority Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. A.17
• Aliens' Real Property Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. A.18
• Ambulance Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. A.19
• Ambulance Services Collective Bargaining Act, 2001, S.O. 2001, c. 10
• Ammunition Regulation Act, 1994, S.O. 1994, c. 20
• Anatomy Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. A.21
• Animals for Research Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. A.22
• Apportionment Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. A.23
• Apprenticeship and Certification Act, 1998, S.O. 1998, c. 22
• Arbitration Act, 1991, S.O. 1991, c. 17
• Arboreal Emblem Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. A.25
• Architects Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. A.26
• Archives Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. A.27
• Art Gallery of Ontario Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. A.28
• Arthur Wishart Act (Franchise Disclosure), 2000, S.O. 2000, c. 3
• Arts Council Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. A.30
• Asian Heritage Act, 2005, S.O. 2005, c. 10
• Assessment Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. A.31
• Assessment Review Board Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. A.32
• Assignments and Preferences Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. A.33
• Athletics Control Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. A.34
• Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology Act, 1991, S.O. 1991, c. 19
• Auditor General Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. A.35
• Automobile Insurance Rate Stabilization Act, 2003, S.O. 2003, c. 9
• Avian Emblem Act, 1994, S.O. 1994, c. 15
• Back to School (Toronto Catholic Elementary) and Education and Provincial Schools Negotiations Amendment Act, 2003, S.O. 2003, c. 2
• Back to School Act (Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board), 2000, S.O. 2000, c. 23
• Back to School Act (Simcoe Muskoka Catholic District School Board), 2002, S.O. 2002, c. 20
• Back to School Act (Toronto and Windsor), 2001, S.O. 2001, c. 1
• Back to School Act, 1998, S.O. 1998, c. 13
• Bail Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. B.1
• Bailiffs Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. B.2
• Barristers Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. B.3
• Beds of Navigable Waters Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. B.4
• Beef Cattle Marketing Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. B.5
• Bees Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. B.6
• Blind Persons' Rights Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. B.7
• Boundaries Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. B.10
• Brain Tumour Awareness Month Act, 2001, S.O. 2001, c. 19
• Bridges Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. B.12
• Building Code Act, 1992, S.O. 1992, c. 23
• Bulk Sales Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. B.14
• Business Corporations Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16
• Business Names Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. B.17
• Business Records Protection Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. B.19
• Business Regulation Reform Act, 1994, S.O. 1994, c. 32
• Cabinet Ministers' and Opposition Leaders' Expenses Review and Accountability Act, 2002, S.O. 2002, c. 34, Sched. A
• Cancer Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. C.1
• Capital Investment Plan Act, 1993, S.O. 1993, c. 23
• Celebration of Portuguese Heritage Act, 2001, S.O. 2001, c. 22
• Cemeteries Act (Revised), R.S.O. 1990, c. C.4
• Centennial Centre of Science and Technology Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. C.5
• Certification of Titles Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. C.6
• Change of Name Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. C.7
• Charitable Gifts Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. C.8
• Charitable Institutions Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. C.9
• Charities Accounting Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. C.10
• Child and Family Services Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. C.11
• Children's Law Reform Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. C.12
• Chiropody Act, 1991, S.O. 1991, c. 20
• Chiropractic Act, 1991, S.O. 1991, c. 21
• Christopher's Law (Sex Offender Registry), 2000, S.O. 2000, c. 1
• Chronic Care Patients' Television Act, 1994, S.O. 1994, c. 3
• City of Greater Sudbury Act, 1999, S.O. 1999, c. 14, Sched. A
• City of Hamilton Act, 1999, S.O. 1999, c. 14, Sched. C
• City of Kawartha Lakes Act, 2000, S.O. 2000, c. 43
• City of Ottawa Act, 1999, S.O. 1999, c. 14, Sched. E
• City of Toronto Act, 1997 (No. 2), S.O. 1997, c. 26
• City of Toronto Act, 1997, S.O. 1997, c. 2
• City of Toronto Act, 2006, S.O. 2006, c. 11 , Sched. A
• City of Toronto Labour Disputes Resolution Act, 2002, S.O. 2002, c. 11
• Class Proceedings Act, 1992, S.O. 1992, c. 6
• Collection Agencies Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. C.14
• Colleges Collective Bargaining Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. C.15
• Collision Repair Standards Act, 2002, S.O. 2002, c. 31
• Commercial Concentration Tax Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. C.16
• Commercial Tenancies Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. L.7 (formerly Landlord and Tenant Act)
• Commissioners for taking Affidavits Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. C.17
• Commitment to the Future of Medicare Act, 2004, S.O. 2004, c. 5
• Commodity Board Members Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. C.18
• Commodity Boards and Marketing Agencies Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. C.19
• Commodity Futures Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. C.20
• Community Care Access Corporations Act, 2001, S.O. 2001, c. 33
• Community Psychiatric Hospitals Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. C.21
• Community Recreation Centres Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. C.22
• Community Small Business Investment Funds Act, S.O. 1992, c. 18 (formerly Labour Sponsored Venture Capital Corporations Act, 1992)
• Commuter Services Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. C.23
• Compensation for Victims of Crime Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. C.24
• Compulsory Automobile Insurance Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. C.25
• Condominium Act, 1998, S.O. 1998, c. 19
• Conservation Authorities Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. C.27
• Conservation Land Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. C.28
• Consolidated Hearings Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. C.29
• Construction Lien Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. C.30
• Consumer Protection Act, 2002, S.O. 2002, c. 30, Sched. A
• Consumer Reporting Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. C.33
• Conveyancing and Law of Property Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. C.34
• Co-operative Corporations Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. C.35
• Coroners Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. C.37
• Corporations Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. C.38
• Corporations Information Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. C.39
• Corporations Tax Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. C.40
• Costs of Distress Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. C.41
• Courts of Justice Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. C.43
• Credit Unions and Caisses Populaires Act, 1994, S.O. 1994, c. 11
• Creditors' Relief Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. C.45
• Crop Insurance Act (Ontario), 1996, S.O. 1996, c. 17, Sched. C
• Crown Administration of Estates Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. C.47
• Crown Agency Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. C.48
• Crown Attorneys Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. C.49
• Crown Employees Collective Bargaining Act, 1993, S.O. 1993, c. 38
• Crown Forest Sustainability Act, 1994, S.O. 1994, c. 25
• Crown Foundations Act, 1996, S.O. 1996, c. 22
• Crown Witnesses Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. C.52
• Dangerous Goods Transportation Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. D.1
• Day Nurseries Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. D.2
• Dead Animal Disposal Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. D.3
• Deaf-Blind Awareness Month Act, 2000, S.O. 2000, c. 34
• Debt Collectors Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. D.4
• Declarations of Death Act, 2002, S.O. 2002, c. 14, Sched.
• Dental Hygiene Act, 1991, S.O. 1991, c. 22
• Dental Technology Act, 1991, S.O. 1991, c. 23
• Dentistry Act, 1991, S.O. 1991, c. 24
• Denturism Act, 1991, S.O. 1991, c. 25
• Development Charges Act, 1997, S.O. 1997, c. 27
• Development Corporations Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. D.10
• Developmental Services Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. D.11
• Dietetics Act, 1991, S.O. 1991, c. 26
• Discriminatory Business Practices Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. D.12
• Disorderly Houses Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. D.13
• Dissolution of Inactive Corporations Act, 2006, S.O. 2006, c. 19 , Sched. J
• District Social Services Administration Boards Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. D.15 (formerly District Welfare Administration Boards Act)
• District Welfare Administration Boards Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. D.15 (See Now District Social Services Administration Boards Act)
• Dog Owners' Liability Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. D.16
• Domestic Violence Protection Act, 2000, S.O. 2000, c. 33
• Donation of Food Act, 1994, S.O. 1994, c. 19
• Drainage Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. D.17
• Drug and Pharmacies Regulation Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. H.4 (formerly Health Disciplines Act)
• Drug Interchangeability and Dispensing Fee Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. P.23 (formerly Prescription Drug Cost Regulation Act)
• Drugless Practitioners Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. D.18
• Duffins Rouge Agricultural Preserve Act, 2005, 2005, c. 30
• Education Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. E.2
• Education Quality and Accountability Office Act, 1996, S.O. 1996, c. 11
• Elderly Persons Centres Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. E.4
• Elderly Persons' Housing Aid Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. E.5
• Election Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. E.6
• Election Finances Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. E.7
• Electricity Act, 1998, S.O. 1998, c. 15, Sched. A
• Electronic Commerce Act, 2000, S.O. 2000, c. 17
• Electronic Registration Act (Ministry of Consumer and Business Services Statutes), 1991, S.O. 1991, c. 44
• Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. E.9
• Employer Health Tax Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. E.11
• Employers and Employees Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. E.12
• Employment Standards Act, 2000, S.O. 2000, c. 41
• Endangered Species Act , R.S.O. 1990, c. E.15
• Energy Conservation Leadership Act, 2006, S.O. 2006, c. 3 , Sched. A
• Energy Efficiency Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. E.17
• Enforcement of Judgments Conventions Act, 1999, S.O. 1999, c. 12, Sched. C
• Environmental Assessment Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. E.18
• Environmental Bill of Rights, 1993, S.O. 1993, c. 28
• Environmental Protection Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. E.19
• Environmental Review Tribunal Act, 2000, S.O. 2000, c. 26, Sched. F
• Escheats Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. E.20
• Estate Administration Tax Act, 1998, S.O. 1998, c. 34, Sched
• Estates Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. E.21
• Estates Administration Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. E.22
• Evidence Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. E.23
• Execution Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. E.24
• Executive Council Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. E.25
• Expropriations Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. E.26
• Extra-Provincial Corporations Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. E.27
• Factors Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. F.1
• Fairness for Parents and Employees Act (Teachers' Withdrawal of Services), 1997, S.O. 1997, c. 32
• Family Benefits Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. F.2
• Family Law Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. F.3
• Family Responsibility and Support Arrears Enforcement Act, 1996, S.O. 1996, c. 31
• Farm Implements Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. F.4
• Farm Products Containers Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. F.7
• Farm Products Grades and Sales Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. F.8
• Farm Products Marketing Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. F.9
• Farm Products Payments Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. F.10
• Farm Registration and Farm Organizations Funding Act, 1993, S.O. 1993, c. 21
• Farming and Food Production Protection Act, 1998, S.O. 1998, c. 1
• Film Classification Act, 2005, S.O. 2005, c. 17
• Financial Administration Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. F.12
• Financial Services Commission of Ontario Act, 1997, S.O. 1997, c. 28
• Fines and Forfeitures Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. F.13
• Fire Protection and Prevention Act, 1997, S.O. 1997, c. 4
• Firefighters' Memorial Day Act, 2000, S.O. 2000, c. 31
• Fiscal Transparency and Accountability Act, 2004, S.O. 2004, c. 27
• Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act, 1997, S.O. 1997, c. 41
• Fish Inspection Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. F.18
• Fisheries Loans Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. F.19
• Flag Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. F.20
• Floral Emblem Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. F.21
• Fluoridation Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. F.22
• Food Safety and Quality Act, 2001, S.O. 2001, c. 20
• Foreign Cultural Objects Immunity from Seizure Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. F.23
• Forest Fires Prevention Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. F.24
• Forestry Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. F.26
• Forestry Workers Lien for Wages Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. F.28
• Franco-Ontarian Emblem Act, 2001, S.O. 2001, c. 5
• Fraudulent Conveyances Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. F.29
• Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. F.31
• French Language Services Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. F.32
• Freshwater Fish Marketing Act (Ontario), R.S.O. 1990, c. F.33
• Frustrated Contracts Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. F.34
• Fuel Tax Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. F.35
• Funeral Directors and Establishments Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. F.36
• Funeral, Burial and Cremation Services Act, 2002, S.O. 2002, c. 33
• Gaming Control Act, 1992, S.O. 1992, c. 24
• Gas and Oil Leases Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. G.3
• Gasoline Tax Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. G.5
• Geographic Township of Creighton-Davies Act, 1997, S.O. 1997, c. 33
• George R. Gardiner Museum of Ceramic Art Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. G.7
• German Pioneers Day Act, 2000, S.O. 2000, c. 7
• GO Transit Act, 2001, S.O. 2001, c. 23, Sched. A
• Good Samaritan Act, 2001, S.O. 2001, c. 2
• Government Advertising Act, 2004, S.O. 2004, c. 20
• Grain Corn Marketing Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. G.9
• Grains Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. G.10
• Greater Toronto Transportation Authority Act, 2006, S.O. 2006, c. 16
• Greenbelt Act, 2005, S.O. 2005, c. 1
• Habeas Corpus Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. H.1
• Healing Arts Radiation Protection Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. H.2
• Health Care Consent Act, 1996, S.O. 1996, c. 2, Sched. A
• Health Disciplines Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. H.4 (See Now Drug and Pharmacies Regulation Act)
• Health Facilities Special Orders Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. H.5
• Health Insurance Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. H.6
• Health Protection and Promotion Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. H.7
• Heritage Hunting and Fishing Act, 2002, S.O. 2002, c. 10
• Higher Education Quality Council of Ontario Act, 2005, S.O. 2005, c. 28, Sched. G
• Highway 407 Act, 1998, S.O. 1998, c. 28
• Highway 407 East Completion Act, 2001, S.O. 2001, c. 23, Sched. B
• Highway Memorials for Fallen Police Officers Act, 2002, S.O. 2002, c. 26
• Highway Traffic Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. H.8
• Historical Parks Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. H.9
• Holocaust Memorial Day Act, 1998, S.O. 1998, c. 25
• Homemakers and Nurses Services Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. H.10
• Homes for Special Care Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. H.12
• Homes for the Aged and Rest Homes Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. H.13
• Horse Riding Safety Act, 2001, S.O. 2001, c. 4
• Hospital Labour Disputes Arbitration Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. H.14
• Hospitals and Charitable Institutions Inquiries Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. H.15
• Hotel Registration of Guests Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. H.17
• Housing Development Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. H.18
• Human Rights Code, R.S.O. 1990, c. H.19
• Hummingbird Performing Arts Centre Corporation Act, 1998, S.O. 1998, c. 37
• Hydro One Inc. Directors and Officers Act, 2002, S.O. 2002, c. 3
• Imitation Firearms Regulation Act, 2000, S.O. 2000, c. 37
• Immunization of School Pupils Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. I.1
• Improving Customer Service for Road Users Act, 2001, S.O. 2001, c. 18
• Income Tax Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. I.2
• Independent Health Facilities Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. I.3
• Indian Welfare Services Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. I.4
• Industrial and Mining Lands Compensation Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. I.5
• Industrial and Mining Lands Compensation Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. I.5
• Innkeepers Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. I.7
• Insurance Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. I.8
• Intercountry Adoption Act, 1998, S.O. 1998, c. 29
• Interjurisdictional Support Orders Act, 2002, S.O. 2002, c. 13
• International Commercial Arbitration Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. I.9
• International Commercial Arbitration Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. I.9
• International Interests in Mobile Equipment Act (Aircraft Equipment), 2002, S.O. 2002, c. 18, Sched. B
• International Sale of Goods Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. I.10
• Interpretation Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. I.11
• Interprovincial Summonses Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. I.12
• Irish Heritage Day Act, 2004, S.O. 2004, c. 10
• Kawartha Highlands Signature Site Park Act, 2003, S.O. 2003, c. 6
• Laboratory and Specimen Collection Centre Licensing Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. L.1
• Labour Relations Act, 1995, S.O. 1995, c. 1, Sched. A
• Labour Sponsored Venture Capital Corporations Act, 1992, S.O. 1992, c. 18 (See Now Community Small Business Investment Funds Act)
• Lakes and Rivers Improvement Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. L.3
• Land Registration Reform Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. L.4
• Land Titles Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. L.5
• Land Transfer Tax Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. L.6
• Landlord and Tenant Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. L.7 (See Now Commercial Tenancies Act)
• Law Society Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. L.8
• Legal Aid Services Act, 1998, S.O. 1998, c. 26
• Legislative Assembly Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. L.10
• Libel and Slander Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. L.12
• Licence Appeal Tribunal Act, 1999, S.O. 1999, c. 12, Sched. G
• Lieutenant Governor Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. L.13
• Lightning Rods Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. L.14
• Limitations Act, 2002, S.O. 2002, c. 24, Sched. B
• Limitations Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. L.15
• Limited Partnerships Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. L.16
• Line Fences Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. L.17
• Liquor Control Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. L.18
• Liquor Licence Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. L.19
• Livestock and Livestock Products Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. L.20
• Livestock Community Sales Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. L.22
• Livestock Identification Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. L.21
• Livestock Medicines Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. L.23
• Livestock, Poultry and Honey Bee Protection Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. L.24
• Loan and Trust Corporations Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. L.25
• Lobbyists Registration Act, 1998, S.O. 1998, c. 27, Sched.
• Local Health System Integration Act, 2006, S.O. 2006, c. 4
• Local Roads Boards Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. L.27
• Long-Term Care Act, 1994, S.O. 1994, c. 26
• Management Board of Cabinet Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. M.1
• Mandatory Gunshot Wounds Reporting Act, 2005, S.O. 2005, c. 9
• Marine Insurance Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. M.2
• Marriage Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. M.3
• Massage Therapy Act, 1991, S.O. 1991, c. 27
• McMichael Canadian Art Collection Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. M.4
• Medical Laboratory Technology Act, 1991, S.O. 1991, c. 28
• Medical Radiation Technology Act, 1991, S.O. 1991, c. 29
• Medicine Act, 1991, S.O. 1991, c. 30
• Members' Integrity Act, 1994, S.O. 1994, c. 38
• Mental Health Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. M.7
• Mental Hospitals Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. M.8
• Mercantile Law Amendment Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. M.10
• Metropolitan Toronto Convention Centre Corporation Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. M.11
• Midwifery Act, 1991, S.O. 1991, c. 31
• Milk Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. M.12
• Mineral Emblem Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. M.13
• Mining Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. M.14
• Mining Tax Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. M.15
• Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. M.16
• Ministry of Citizenship and Culture Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. M.18
• Ministry of Community and Social Services Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. M.20
• Ministry of Consumer and Business Services Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. M.21
• Ministry of Correctional Services Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. M.22
• Ministry of Economic Development and Trade Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. M.27
• Ministry of Energy Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. M.23
• Ministry of Government Services Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. M.25
• Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. M.26
• Ministry of Health Appeal and Review Boards Act, 1998, S.O. 1998, c. 18, Sched. H
• Ministry of Intergovernmental Affairs Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. M.28
• Ministry of Labour Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. M.29
• Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. M.30
• Ministry of Natural Resources Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. M.31
• Ministry of Northern Development and Mines Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. M.32
• Ministry of Revenue Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. M.33
• Ministry of the Attorney General Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. M.17
• Ministry of the Environment Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. M.24
• Ministry of the Solicitor General Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. M.34
• Ministry of Tourism and Recreation Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. M.35
• Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. M.19
• Ministry of Transportation Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. M.36
• Ministry of Treasury and Economics Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. M.37
• Mortgage Brokers Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. M.39
• Mortgages Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. M.40
• Motor Vehicle Accident Claims Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. M.41
• Motor Vehicle Dealers Act, 2002, S.O. 2002, c. 30, Sched. B
• Motor Vehicle Dealers Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. M.42
• Motorized Snow Vehicles Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. M.44
• MPPs Pension Act, 1996, S.O. 1996, c. 6, Sched. A
• Municipal Act, 2001, S.O. 2001, c. 25
• Municipal Affairs Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. M.46
• Municipal Arbitrations Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. M.48
• Municipal Conflict of Interest Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. M.50
• Municipal Corporations Quieting Orders Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. M.51
• Municipal Elections Act, 1996, S.O. 1996, c. 32, Sched.
• Municipal Extra-Territorial Tax Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. M.54
• Municipal Franchises Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. M.55
• Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. M.56
• Municipal Health Services Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. M.57
• Municipal Property Assessment Corporation Act, 1997, S.O. 1997, c. 43, Sched. G
• Municipal Tax Assistance Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. M.59
• Municipal Water and Sewage Transfer Act, 1997, S.O. 1997, c. 6, Sched. A
• Negligence Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. N.1
• Niagara Escarpment Planning and Development Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. N.2
• Niagara Parks Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. N.3
• Northern Ontario Grow Bonds Corporation Act, 2004, S.O. 2004, c. 31, Sched. 39
• Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. N.5
• Northern Services Boards Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. L.28
• Notaries Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. N.6
• Nursing Act, 1991, S.O. 1991, c. 32
• Nursing Homes Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. N.7
• Nutrient Management Act, 2002, S.O. 2002, c. 4
• Oak Ridges Moraine Conservation Act, 2001, S.O. 2001, c. 31
• Oak Ridges Moraine Protection Act, 2001, S.O. 2001, c. 3
• OC Transpo Payments Act, 2000, S.O. 2000, c. 19
• Occupational Health and Safety Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. O.1
• Occupational Therapy Act, 1991, S.O. 1991, c. 33
• Occupiers' Liability Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. O.2
• Official Notices Publication Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. O.3
• Off-Road Vehicles Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. O.4
• Oil, Gas and Salt Resources Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. P.12
• Ombudsman Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. O.6
• Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2001, S.O. 2001, c. 32
• Ontario Agricultural Museum Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. O.8
• Ontario Agriculture Week Act, 1998, S.O. 1998, c. 10
• Ontario Association of Former Parliamentarians Act, 2000, S.O. 2000, c. 6
• Ontario College of Art & Design Act, 2002, S.O. 2002, c. 8, Sched. E
• Ontario College of Teachers Act, 1996, S.O. 1996, c. 12
• Ontario Colleges of Applied Arts and Technology Act, 2002, S.O. 2002, c. 8, Sched. F
• Ontario Disability Support Program Act, 1997, S.O. 1997, c. 25, Sched. B
• Ontario Drug Benefit Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. O.10
• Ontario Educational Communications Authority Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. O.12
• Ontario Energy Board Act, 1998, S.O. 1998, c. 15, Sched. B
• Ontario Food Terminal Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. O.15
• Ontario Geographic Names Board Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. O.16
• Ontario Guaranteed Annual Income Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. O.17
• Ontario Heritage Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. O.18
• Ontario Highway Transport Board Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. O.19
• Ontario Home Ownership Savings Plan Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. O.20
• Ontario Housing Corporation Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. O.21
• Ontario Infrastructure Projects Corporation Act, 2006, S.O. 2006, c. 9 , Sched. I
• Ontario Institute for Studies in Education Repeal Act, 1996, S.O. 1996, c. 16
• Ontario Law Reform Commission Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. O.24
• Ontario Loan Act, 1991, S.O. 1991, c. 8
• Ontario Loan Act, 1992, S.O. 1992, c. 5
• Ontario Loan Act, 1993, S.O. 1993, c. 7
• Ontario Loan Act, 1994, S.O. 1994, c. 16
• Ontario Loan Act, 1996 (No. 2), S.O. 1996, c. 18 Sched.
• Ontario Loan Act, 1996, S.O. 1996, c. 1 , Sched. D
• Ontario Loan Act, 1998, S.O. 1998, c. 5 , Sched. A
• Ontario Loan Act, 2003, S.O. 2003, c. 7, Sched. A
• Ontario Loan Act, 2004, S.O. 2004, c. 7, Sched. A
• Ontario Loan Act, 2005, S.O. 2005, c. 28 , Sched. K
• Ontario Loan Act, 2006, S.O. 2006, c. 9 , Sched. J
• Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation Act, 1999, S.O. 1999, c. 12, Sched. L
• Ontario Medical Association Dues Act, 1991, S.O. 1991, c. 51
• Ontario Mental Health Foundation Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. O.26
• Ontario Mineral Exploration Program Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. O.27
• Ontario Municipal Board Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. O.28
• Ontario Municipal Employees Retirement System Act, 2006, S.O. 2006, c. 2
• Ontario Municipal Employees Retirement System Review Act, 2006, S.O. 2006, c. 9 , Sched. K
• Ontario New Home Warranties Plan Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. O.31
• Ontario Northland Transportation Commission Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. O.32
• Ontario Place Corporation Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. O.34
• Ontario Planning and Development Act, 1994, S.O. 1994, c. 23, Sched. A
• Ontario Public Service Employees' Union Pension Act, 1994, S.O. 1994, c. 17, Sched.
• Ontario Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. O.36
• Ontario Strategic Infrastructure Financing Authority Act, 2002, S.O. 2002, c. 22, Sched. A
• Ontario Water Resources Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. O.40
• Ontario Wine Week Act, 2005, S.O. S.O. 2005, c. 22
• Ontario Works Act, 1997, S.O. 1997, c. 25, Sched. A
• Opticianry Act, 1991, S.O. 1991, c. 34
• Optometry Act, 1991, S.O. 1991, c. 35
• Ottawa Congress Centre Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. O.45
• Ottawa-Carleton French-Language School Board Transferred Employees Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. O.44
• Paperback and Periodical Distributors Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. P.1
• Parental Responsibility Act, 2000, S.O. 2000, c. 4
• Partition Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. P.4
• Partnerships Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. P.5
• Patient Restraints Minimization Act, 2001, S.O. 2001, c. 16
• Pawnbrokers Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. P.6
• Pay Equity Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. P.7
• Pension Benefits Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. P.8
• Perpetuities Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. P.9
• Personal Health Information Protection Act, 2004, S.O. 2004, c. 3, Sched. A
• Personal Property Security Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. P.10
• Pesticides Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. P.11
• Pharmacy Act, 1991, S.O. 1991, c. 36
• Physician Services Delivery Management Act, 1996, S.O. 1996, c. 1, Sched. I
• Physiotherapy Act, 1991, S.O. 1991, c. 37
• Places to Grow Act, 2005, S.O. 2005, c. 13
• Planning Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. P.13
• Plant Diseases Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. P.14
• Police Services Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. P.15
• Post-secondary Education Choice and Excellence Act, 2000, S.O. 2000, c. 36, Sched.
• Pounds Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. P.17
• Power Corporation Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. P.18
• Powers of Attorney Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. P.20
• Prepaid Hospital and Medical Services Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. P.21
• Prescription Drug Cost Regulation Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. P.23 (See Now Drug Interchangeability and Dispensing Fee Act)
• Private Career Colleges Act, 2005, S.O. 2005, c. 28, Sched. L
• Private Hospitals Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. P.24
• Private Investigators and Security Guards Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. P.25
• Private Security and Investigative Services Act, 2005, S.O. 2005, c. 34
• Proceedings Against the Crown Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. P.27
• Professional Engineers Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. P.28
• Professional Foresters Act, 2000, S.O. 2000, c. 18
• Professional Geoscientists Act, 2000, S.O. 2000, c. 13
• Prohibiting Profiting from Recounting Crimes Act, 2002, S.O. 2002, c. 2
• Property and Civil Rights Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. P.29
• Province of Ontario Savings Office Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. P.30
• Province of Ontario Savings Office Privatization Act, 2002, S.O. 2002, c. 8, Sched. H
• Provincial Land Tax Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. P.32
• Provincial Offences Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. P.33
• Provincial Parks Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. P.34
• Provincial Parks and Conservation Reserves Act, 2006, S.O. 2006, c. 12
• Provincial Schools Negotiations Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. P.35
• Psychology Act, 1991, S.O. 1991, c. 38
• Public Accounting Act, 2004, S.O. 2004, c. 8
• Public Authorities Protection Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. P.38
• Public Guardian and Trustee Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. P.51
• Public Hospitals Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. P.40
• Public Inquiries Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. P.41
• Public Lands Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. P.43
• Public Libraries Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. P.44
• Public Officers Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. P.45
• Public Sector Dispute Resolution Act, 1997, S.O. 1997, c. 21, Sched. A
• Public Sector Labour Relations Transition Act, 1997, S.O. 1997, c. 21, Sched. B
• Public Sector Salary Disclosure Act, 1996, S.O. 1996, c. 1, Sched. A
• Public Service Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. P.47
• Public Service Pension Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. P.48
• Public Service Works on Highways Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. P.49
• Public Transportation and Highway Improvement Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. P.50
• Public Utilities Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. P.52
• Public Vehicles Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. P.54
• Public Works Protection Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. P.55
• Quality of Care Information Protection Act, 2004, S.O. 2004, c. 3, Sched. B
• Race Tracks Tax Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. R.1
• Racing Commission Act, 2000, S.O. 2000, c. 20
• Real Estate and Business Brokers Act, 2002, S.O. 2002, c. 30, Schedule C
• Real Property Limitations Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. L.15
• Reciprocal Enforcement of Judgments (U.K.) Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. R.6
• Reciprocal Enforcement of Judgments Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. R.5
• Regional Municipality of Peel Act, 2005, S.O. 2005, c. 20
• Registered Insurance Brokers Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. R.19
• Registry Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. R.20
• Regulated Health Professions Act, 1991, S.O. 1991, c. 18
• Regulations Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. R.21
• Religious Freedom Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. R.22
• Religious Organizations' Lands Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. R.23
• Remedies for Organized Crime and Other Unlawful Activities Act, 2001, S.O. 2001, c. 28
• Remembrance Day Observance Act, 1997, S.O. 1997, c. 18
• Repair and Storage Liens Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. R.25
• Representation Act, 2005, S.O. 2005, c. 35, Sched. 1
• Rescuing Children from Sexual Exploitation Act, 2002, S.O. 2002, c. 5
• Research Foundation Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. R.27
• Residential Complex Sales Representation Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. R.28
• Residential Tenancies Act, 2006, S.O. 2006, c. 17
• Respiratory Therapy Act, 1991, S.O. 1991, c. 39
• Retail Business Holidays Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. R.30
• Retail Sales Tax Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. R.31
• Revised Statutes Confirmation and Corrections Act, 1993, S.O. 1993, c. 27
• Rights of Labour Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. R.33
• Road Access Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. R.34
• Royal Ontario Museum Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. R.35
• Sabrina's Law, 2005, S.O. 2005, c. 7
• Safe Drinking Water Act, 2002, S.O. 2002, c. 32
• Safe Streets Act, 1999, S.O. 1999, c. 8
• Safety and Consumer Statutes Administration Act, 1996, S.O. 1996, c. 19
• Sale of Goods Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. S.1
• SARS Assistance and Recovery Strategy Act, 2003, S.O. 2003, c. 1
• School Trust Conveyances Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. S.3
• Science North Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. S.4
• Securities Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. S.5
• Securities Transfer Act, 2006, S.O. 2006, c. 8
• Settled Estates Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. S.7
• Settlement of International Investment Disputes Act, 1999, S.O. 1999, c. 12, Sched. D
• Shoreline Property Assistance Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. S.10
• Short Forms of Leases Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. S.11
• Shortline Railways Act, 1995, S.O. 1995, c. 2
• SkyDome Act (Bus Parking), 2002, S.O. 2002, c. 8, Sched. K
• Small Business Development Corporations Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. S.12
• Smoke-Free Ontario Act, S.O. 1994, c. 10
• Social Contract Act, 1993, S.O. 1993, c. 5
• Social Housing Reform Act, 2000, S.O. 2000, c. 27
• Social Work and Social Service Work Act, 1998, S.O. 1998, c. 31
• Solicitors Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. S.15
• South Asian Heritage Act, 2001, S.O. 2001, c. 29
• St. Clair Parks Commission Act, 2000, S.O. 2000, c. 44
• St. Lawrence Parks Commission Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. S.24
• Statistics Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. S.18
• Statute and Regulation Revision Act, 1998, S.O. 1998, c. 18, Sched. C
• Statute Labour Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. S.20
• Statute of Frauds, R.S.O. 1990, c. S.19
• Statutes Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. S.21
• Statutory Powers Procedure Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. S.22
• Substitute Decisions Act, 1992, S.O. 1992, c. 30
• Succession Law Reform Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. S.26
• Sunnybrook and Women's College Health Sciences Centre Act, 1998, S.O. 1998, c. 12
• Superannuation Adjustment Benefits Repeal Act, 1994, S.O. 1994, c. 21
• Supply Act, 1991, S.O. 1991, c. 7
• Supply Act, 2000, S.O. 2000, c. 45
• Supply Act, 2001, S.O. 2001, c. 27
• Supply Act, 2002, S.O. 2002, c. 36
• Supply Act, 2003, S.O. 2003, c. 10
• Supply Act, 2004, S.O. 2004, c. 32
• Supply Act, 2006, S.O. 2006, c. 6
• Surveyors Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. S.29
• Surveys Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. S.30
• Sustainable Water and Sewage Systems Act, 2002, S.O. 2002, c. 29
• Tartan Act, 2000, S.O. 2000, c. 8
• Tax Incentive Zones Act (Pilot Projects), 2002, S.O. 2002, c. 22, Sched. B
• Taxpayer Protection Act, 1999, S.O. 1999, c. 7, Sched. A
• Teachers' Pension Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. T.1
• Teaching Profession Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. T.2
• Technical Standards and Safety Act, 2000, S.O. 2000, c. 16
• Tenant Protection Act, 1997, S.O. 1997, c. 24
• Territorial Division Act, 2002, S.O. 2002, c. 17, Sched. E
• Ticket Speculation Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. T.7
• Tile Drainage Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. T.8
• Time Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. T.9
• Tobacco Control Act, 1994, S. O. 1994, c. 10 (See Now Smoke-Free Ontario Act)
• Tobacco Tax Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. T.10
• Toll Bridges Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. T.11
• Toronto Area Transit Operating Authority Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. T.13
• Toronto District Heating Corporation Act, 1998, S.O. 1998, c. 15, Sched. C
• Toronto Futures Exchange Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. T.14
• Toronto Islands Residential Community Stewardship Act, 1993, S.O. 1993, c. 15
• Toronto Stock Exchange Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. T.15
• Toronto Waterfront Revitalization Corporation Act, 2002, S.O. 2002, c. 28
• Tourism Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. T.16
• Town of Haldimand Act, 1999, S.O. 1999, c. 14, Sched. B
• Town of Moosonee Act, 2000, S.O. 2000, c. 5, Sched.
• Town of Norfolk Act, 1999, S.O. 1999, c. 14, Sched. D
• Trades Qualification and Apprenticeship Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. T.17
• Transboundary Pollution Reciprocal Access Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. T.18
• Travel Industry Act, 2002, S.O. 2002, c. 30, Sched. D
• Treasury Board Act, 1991, S.O. 1991, c. 14
• Trespass to Property Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. T.21
• Trillium Gift of Life Network Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. H.20
• Trust Beneficiaries' Liability Act, 2004, S.O. 2004, c. 29, Sched. A
• Trustee Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. T.23
• Unclaimed Intangible Property Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. U.1
• Unconscionable Transactions Relief Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. U.2
• United Empire Loyalists' Day Act, 1997, S.O. 1997, c. 42
• University Expropriation Powers Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. U.3
• University Foundations Act, 1992, S.O. 1992, c. 22
• University Health Network Act, 1997, S.O. 1997, c. 45
• University of Ontario Institute of Technology Act, 2002, S.O. 2002, c. 8, Sched. O
• University of Ottawa Heart Institute Act, 1999, S.O. 1999, c. 16
• Variation of Trusts Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. V.1
• Vendors and Purchasers Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. V.2
• Veterinarians Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. V.3
• Victims' Bill of Rights, 1995, S.O. 1995, c. 6
• Vintners Quality Alliance Act, 1999, S.O. 1999, c. 3
• Vital Statistics Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. V.4
• Wages Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. W.1
• Warehouse Receipts Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. W.3
• Waste Diversion Act, 2002, S.O. 2002, c. 6
• Waste Management Act, 1992, S.O. 1992, c. 1
• Water Transfer Control Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. W.4
• Waterfront Regeneration Trust Agency Act, 1992, S.O. 1992, c. 2
• Weed Control Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. W.5
• Wild Rice Harvesting Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. W.7
• Wilderness Areas Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. W.8
• Wine Content and Labelling Act, 2000, S.O. 2000, c. 26, Sched. P
• Workplace Safety and Insurance Act, 1997, S.O. 1997, c. 16, Sched. A

In my hands at last

I got my ELO remasters in the mail yesterday - On The Third Day, Face The Music and A New World Record. After so many delays in the issue of these CDs, I'm glad I have in my hands at last. Who knows? Maybe I'll feature one of them in an Album Spotlight in the coming weeks.

S$# 038 Big Country | In A Big Country

In A Big Country was one of my favourite songs of 1983. It was the Scottish quartet's third single from their debut album, The Crossing, and their only big hit on this side of the Atlantic. [Actually I was in the UK all that summer, so I heard it a lot on radio there, and that's where I bought the 45.]

What really impressed me about the song was the guitars sounding like bagpipes (courtesy of a MXR Pitch Transposer 129 Guitar Effect (according to Wikipedia ) or the MXR plus E-bow (according to a post on Harmony Central)) by axemen Stuart Adamson and Bruce Watson. The rhythm section of Mark Brzezicki on drums and Tony Butler on bass provides a really solid foundation to the track too. It was also interesting that the group had a song title that sounded like the band name.

The song seems to be an anthem about perseverance:

So take that look off of your face, it doesn't fit you
Because it's happened doesn't mean you've been discarded
Pull up your head off the floor—come up screaming
Cry out for everything you ever might have wanted
I thought that pain and truth were things that really mattered
But you can't stay here with every single hope you had shattered

I'm not expecting to grow flowers in a desert
But I can live and breathe
And see the sun in wintertime

In a big country dreams stay with you
Like a lover's voice fires the mountainside
Stay alive

The lyrics now have a more poignant feel, considering front man Adamson, battling years of alcoholism, committed suicide in Hawaii in 2001.

In A Big Country is available on The Crossing and and several Big Country compilations.

A$# 038 Bob Dylan | Blonde On Blonde

Bob Dylan's always had a way with his words. It's not for naught that he's called the modern Bard; Dylan's ability to brilliantly turn a phrase has set him apart from all his contemporaries, for more than four decades. With his massive double album Blonde On Blonde, from 1966, Bob had reached a creative crescendo.

Consider some of the song titles: Stuck Inside Of Mobile With The Memphis Blues Again, Sad Eyed Lady Of The Lowlands, Absolutely Sweet Marie, Rainy Day Women #12 & 35: these are surreal and sometimes cryptic phrases. The lyrics of the songs explore many facets of human existence in a variety of poetic ways.

It issn't just the lyrics that stand out on the album, though. Dylan continues to evolve as an electric folk rocker, expanding on the direction he'd started down with Bringing It All Back Home and Highway 61 Revisited in 1965. Here he plays with former Hawks (and future Band members) Robbie Robertson, Rick Danko and Garth Hudson, plus a coterie of ace Memphis session musicians.

The album opener, RDW#12&35, for example, is a stoner anthem with prominent organ and brass band. Throughout the album, Dylan is backed by a strong rhythm section, plus many keyboards and guitars. Of course Bob still uses his acoustic guitar and harmonica to great effect.

There are many bright gems on BOB, such as the paeans to love I Want You and Just Like A Woman, and chronicles of loss, like Visions of Johanna, plus the epic, album-closing Sad Eyed Lady Of The Lowlands. There are ruminations on life like the curiously titled Stuck Inside Of Mobile With the Memphis Blues Again:

Well, Shakespeare, he's in the alley
With his pointed shoes and his bells,
Speaking to some French girl,
Who says she knows me well.
And I would send a message
To find out if she's talked,
But the post office has been stolen
And the mailbox is locked.
Oh, Mama, can this really be the end,
To be stuck inside of Mobile
With the Memphis blues again.

Though Bob was still getting booed at many of his concerts from folk purists who accused him of selling out, he was moving forward bravely, boldly going where no bard had gone before. Blonde On Blonde sold well, spawned several successful singles, and was praised by critics. It has been recognized as one of his best, and most influential, albums of his entire career.

Track listing:
1. Rainy Day Women #12 & 35
2. Pledging My Time
3. Visions Of Johanna
4. One Of Us Must Know (Sooner or Later)
5. I Want You
6. Stuck Inside Of Mobile With the Memphis Blues Again
7. Leopard-Skin Pill-Box Hat
8. Just Like A Woman
9. Most Likely You Go Your Way (And I'll Go Mine)
10. Temporary Like Achilles
11. Absolutely Sweet Marie
12. 4th Time Around
13. Obviously 5 Believers
14. Sad Eyed Lady Of The Lowlands

A heavy horse and a tumbling sky, brewing heavy weather

It was on this day in 1978 that I first bought Jethro Tull's Heavy Horses album. It is my favourite Tull disc. I spotlighted it several months ago. You can reread that post here.

Thanks for the invitation ... but no thanks

Here's a piece of history. The US invited Canada to join up with them - way back in 1777!

The 11th article of the Articles of Confederation - the first constitutional document of the then fledgling country - states:

Canada acceding to this confederation, and adjoining in the measures of the United States, shall be admitted into, and entitled to all the advantages of this Union; but no other colony shall be admitted into the same, unless such admission be agreed to by nine States.

The Articles of Confederation were superseded by the US Constitution, so the invitation for the norther neighbours is probably not still open ... But I saw a satirical articles at Uncyclopedia that says Canada has gone to court to argue that the AofC are still in force, so we should be let in.

If you want to read a more reality-based entry on the AofC, check out Wikipedia.

His name is Earl

I enjoy watching the sitcome My Name Is Earl. The items on his famous list are documented at Wikipedia.

Here are just a few of them:

* Gave Joy a tape worm (154)
* Gave Joy 236 bladder infections (157)
* Gave Joy's car a dent - said it was hit & run (205)

ww on the www

In southern Ontario, Waterloo Region is right next to Wellington County. Some organizations and businesses are set up to cover both areas. So there are few instances of "WW" in the abbreviations:

• Waterloo Wellington Flight Centre (WWFC)
• Waterloo Wellington Mechanical Contractors Association (WWMCA)
• Waterloo Wellington Mobile Radio (WWMR)
• Waterloo Wellington Training And Adjustment Board (WWTAB)
• Waterloo Wellington Wildlife Control (WWWC)

also

• Culligan Waterloo Wellington Limited (CWWL)
• Epilepsy Ontario Waterloo Wellington(EOWW)
• John Howard Society Of Waterloo Wellington (JHSWW)

There are other locales in the world that have two Ws - such as:

• Walla Walla, Washington
• Wagga Wagga, New South Wales

and, closer to home:

• Wawa, Ontario - it's just one word, but there are two Ws in it.

Not all over the world

The next batch of ELO remasters - On The Third Day, Face The Music and A New World Record - are finally out, in the US today and Britain yesterday.

They don't seem to be out in Canada yet. Amazon.ca lists them as being released Sept. 26. I've heard that ANWR will be released in Australia, but not the other two.

All this BS comes after at least two earlier delays: first they were supposed to come out in 2001 on the heels of Zoom and the first 4 remasters. Then they were announced for May of this year. Now they're here, but not all over the world.

The stupidity, shortsightedness and bumbling of the record companies never ceases to amaze me. Here's a tip, guys in suits: release them everywhere, at the same time.

S$# 037 FM | Phasors On Stun

The prog rock group FM started out in Toronto in the mid-70s with Cameron Hawkins on bass and keyboards, plus the incredible bandaged Nash The Slash on electric violin and electric mandolin. Drummer Martin Deller soon joined them.

It was this line-up that recorded Phasors On Stun, the big hit from their debut album Black Noise, first released in 1977. Written by Cameron and Nash, it's a prog rock treasure, which conveys a futuristic mood and atmoshpere. (Despite the title, the song has nothing to do with Star Trek or the weapons used therein, though.) Writing at allmusic.com, Mike DeGagne says:

Mixing cold, mechanical instrumentation with the sizzle of keyboards, FM played an irregular style of progressive music that sounded isolated and pleasantly hollow... Phasors on Stun sounds like it's sung from the blackness of space, with piercing laser blasts shooting through the body of the song. Nash the Slash uses his voice and his violins to conjure up a science fiction motif that is convincing through all eight songs. FM's music relies on loose structure and small surges of numerous instruments to create a large sound. Black Noise is a prime example of how well instruments can be used to convey, shape and utilize imagery.

What is POS about? It's one of those songs that lends itself to a variety of interpretations. It might be about perseverance, or a mind-expanding trip, or a voyage through hyperspace.

Hold fast
Hold on
Nothing is a dream
Yet in changing faster
It never seems to be here long
Move on
Turn 'round
Just can't seem to find it
Try and reach out
Hold out
I cannot touch the wind
I touch you

Reach out
Hold on
Nothing here is real
Yet in searching farther
It almost seems to live until it
Moves on, turns 'round
Just can't seem to lose it,
Try and hold fast
Hold on
I cannot ride the wind
I ride you

Hold fast
Hold on
Nothing is a dream until you
Wake up
Cry out
Now it isn't real, now you
Hold fast, nothing is a dream
Hold on, just can't lose it now
Move on turning round and round
Wake up, you cannot ride the wind

Phasors On Stun didn't chart very high, but it has received a fair amount of airplay on FM back then and on classic rock stations ever since.

A$# 037 ABBA | Super Trouper

I had thought about writing about this album this week; what clinched it was when a colleague at work told me today how much she hates ABBA music. That’s the thing about ABBA – they seem to evoke strong reactions; either you love 'em or you hate 'em. Judging by the mega-success of the stellar Swedish group, it would seem that there are more of the former than the latter.

More than two decades after they split, their success is still felt in the music world, given the success of shows like Mamma Mia, and the long line of tribute shows, imitators, ABBA compilations and astronomical sums that have been offered to the four musicians to perform a reunion show.

1980’s Super Trouper was, imho, the apex of the group’s musical achievement, and one of the last (They would record one more studio album in 1981, then two new tracks for a 1982 compilation.) The arrangements, performances, singing and production were superb. The lyrics showed a sophistication that was a long way from Ring Ring.

In much the same way that the songwriters of Fleetwood Mac had chronicled the disintegration of relationships of the group’s couples, Benny and Bjorn wrote a number of songs that revealed much about the breakdown in the marriages of Bjorn and Agnetha, and Benny and Frida (The Winner Takes It All; Me And I) and the exhaustion of touring (Super Trouper). They also explore looking back on and examining one’s life (Happy New Year; Our Last Summer). There are still odes to romance (Andante, Andante; Lay All Your Love On Me), legend (The Piper) and redemption (Like Old Friends Do).

Here’s a sample of their powerful storytelling, from Our Last Summer:

I can still recall
our last summer
I still see it all
in the tourist jam
’round the Notre Dame
our last summer
walking hand in hand
Paris restaurants
our last summer
morning croissants
living for the day
worries far away
our last summer
we could laugh and play

And now you’re working in a bank
the family man, a football fan
and your name is Harry
how dull it seems
yet you’re the hero of my dreams

I can still recall
our last summer
I still see it all

The remastered CD has two bonus tracks, but I have an older CD pressing, so I can’t say much about them.

If you want to hear an outstanding album with great songwriting, then I would highly recommend Super Trouper. You may find you’re actually an ABBA fan afterall.

Track listing:
1. Super Trouper
2. The Winner Takes It All
3. On And On And On
4. Andante, Andante
5. Me And I
6. Happy New Year
7. Our Last Summer
8. The Piper
9. Lay All Your Love on Me
10. The Way Old Friends Do
Plus bonus tracks on remastered CD:
11. Elaine
12. Put on Your White Sombrero

Avengers

I always liked The Avengers. Of course it was Emma Peel who caught my eye.

Check out The Avengers Forever, a thorough tribute site to the British phenomenon. It covers the David Keele, Cathy Gale, Emma Peel and Tara King eras, plus The New Avengers, the stage play and radio shows, and even the dreadful feature film.

There are episode guides, screen savers and more.

Lunar peaks

Here's a list of some mountains on the moon:

* Mons Agnes
* Mons Ampère
* Mons André
* Mons Ardeshir
* Mons Argaeus
* Mons Blanc
* Mons Bradley
* Mons Delisle
* Mons Dieter
* Mons Dilip
* Mons Esam
* Mons Ganau
* Mons Gruithuisen Delta
* Mons Gruithuisen Gamma
* Mons Hadley
* Mons Hadley Delta
* Mons Hansteen
* Mons Herodotus
* Mons Huygens
* Mons La Hire
* Mons Maraldi
* Mons Moro
* Mons Penck
* Mons Pico
* Mons Piton
* Mons Rümker
* Mons Usov
* Mons Vinogradov
* Mons Vitruvius
* Mons Wolff

More information on them is available at Wikipedia.

Some of my bad poetry, volume 04

Here I am again with my awful rhyming words
Enough, you say, this is "for the birds"

Yeah well boo hoo for you
The freedom of expression is mine too

Even if I make an ass of myself
Taking words at random off the shelf

I spew such trash
You develop a rash

Sounds ok to me
Can't you see?

landlocked

Landlocked is the name of an unreleased Beach Boys album.

There are also 43 landlocked countries in the world. Here they are:

* Afghanistan
* Andorra
* Armenia
* Austria
* Azerbaijan
* Belarus
* Bhutan
* Bolivia
* Botswana
* Burkina Faso
* Burundi
* Central African Republic
* Chad
* Czech Republic
* Ethiopia
* Hungary
* Kazakhstan
* Kyrgyzstan
* Laos
* Lesotho
* Liechtenstein
* Luxembourg
* Macedonia
* Malawi
* Mali
* Moldova
* Mongolia
* Nepal
* Niger
* Paraguay
* Rwanda
* San Marino
* Serbia
* Slovakia
* Swaziland
* Switzerland
* Tajikistan
* Turkmenistan
* Uganda
* Uzbekistan
* Vatican City
* Zambia
* Zimbabwe

Some of them do have coastlines on the Caspian or Aral seas, but those bodies of water are inland seas.

S$# 036 Tracey Ullman | They Don't Know

Some weeks, I have a grand design in mind when I pick which song so spotlight. At other times, some serendipitous brain wave leads me to my decision.

This week's number is clearly in the latter category. I'd forgotten about Tracey Ullman's 1983 hit, They Don't Know, until a Macca buddy posted a link to the video of the song on youtube.com - the video features a cameo appearance by Paul McCartney. Tracey appeared the next year in Paul's Give My Regards To Broad Street.

Known primarily as a highly talented comic actor, Tracey managed to have a respectable, albeit brief, pop career in the mid-1980s. Her album You Broke My Heart in 17 Places produced two hits: the title song and You Don't Know, a cover of the song by Kirsty MacColl. (Apparently she used the actual backing tracks from Kirsty's recording, and added her own vocal track.)

It's a song about the joy of a newfound love love. It's not the weightiest of songs, but as allmusic describes the sound,"it's kitschy pop fluff at its best."

Baby!
There's no need for living in the past
Now I've found good lovin' gonna make it last
I tell the others 'Don't bother me'
Cause when they look at you they don't see what I see

No I don't listen to their wasted lines
Got my eyes wide open and I see the signs
'Cause they don't know 'bout us
And they've never heard of love

YDK is on You Broke My Heart in 17 Places and a couple of compilation albums.

A$# 036 Moody Blues | Seventh Sojourn

Seventh Sojourn, released in 1972, is my favourite Moody Blues album from their cosmic era.

It was their seventh disc since 1967, and they were really in top form. But the stresses of recording, touring, business and being rock stars were taking their toll - after recording Seventh Sojourn and touring to support it, the Moody Blues would take a hiatus of more than five years.

Perhaps it was that adversity that brought out the best in the five musicians - what a fantastic disc this is. It's just eight songs, but they cover a lot of ground in exploring life and existence in the universe.

Mike Pinder's Lost In A Lost World opens the album. To me, Mike's songs always presented a darker insight onto the world. Here, he laments the sorry state of the world, with so much death and destruction. But he outlines a recipe for harmony in When You're A Free Man.

Ray Thomas makes a fine contribution with his moving and gentle For My Lady. It's a great romantic number that should be played at more weddings.

Guitarist and leader Justin Hayward wrote New Horizons and The Land Of Make-Believe; he also co-wrote You And Me with drummer Graeme Edge.

Justin has always been the romantic / idealist of the group. You And Me is a spiritual number with religious elements. In New Horizons, Justin explores the happiness, wonder and awe of the birth of his daughter, but tinged with the sadness of the death of his own father, and still find hope for the future. The Land Of Make-Believe is an idealistic wish, almost as moving as John Lennon's Imagine:

Open all the shutters on your windows
Unlock all the locks upon your doors
Brush away the cobwebs from your day-dreams
No secrets come between us anymore
Oh, say it's true
Only love can see you through
You know our love can't hurt you

We're living in a land of make believe
And trying no to let it show...
Maybe in that land of make believe
Heartaches can turn into joy

The two tracks that really propelled the album to the top of the charts (it reached no. 5 in the UK and No. 1 in the USA) are the two John Lodge songs, Isn't Life Strange and I'm Just A Singer (In A Rock And Roll Band).

Isn't Life Strange is a great song - philosophical treatise, expression of love and catchy pop song all rolled into one. As John said in the liner notes from the 1997 remaster:

I was having dinner one night with some friends and I heard "Isn't Life Strange" in my head while I was eating. I went straight to the piano and within fifteen minutes, I'd got roughly the whole song finished - except every line was "Isn't Life Strange"! It didn't have any other lyric. Isn't Life Strange is about when you try and analyse your life and somethings always seem the same. And so you're asking that question: can you really expect it to be not the same in yourself? So many people just think that, because life goes on, it should get better, but it's something you have to put in that makes it better. Also, on top of that, it's a collective idea, that when you're looking one way, suddenly what's really going to happen comes from the other way. At the end of the day, isn't life strange?

Just A Singer is a much heavier piece of rock than most Moody Blues songs; but it makes the perfect album closer. A semi-autobiographical piece, it reminds the listener that the Moodies, even though they examine great questions of the cosmos, karma and life, they're just ordinary guys, making great music.

Seventh Sojourn featured the great musicianship and artistry that had gone into the previous six albums - but it was a difficult and painful experience for them to make. They would need a few years of rest, and producing solo albums (and in the case of Justin and John, a duo album together), before their reunion.

But Seventh Sojourn stands as a milestone in the career of the Moody Blues.

Track listing:

1. Lost In A Lost World
2. New Horizons
3. For My Lady
4. Isn't Life Strange
5. You And Me
6. Land Of Make-Believe
7. When You're A Free Man
8. I'm Just a Singer (In A Rock And Roll Band)

Contax RTS

The Contax RTS was the first, and the standard by which others would be measured, camera produced by Yashica under the Contax name, which it licensed in the early 1970s.

Previewed at photo shows in 1974 and hitting the streets in1975, the Contax RTS was an SLR to be reckoned with. From its Porsche-designed body to the interchangeable focus screens, available power winder and motor drive, and - especially - its Carl Zeiss T* lenses (which used the Yashica bayonet mount), the RTS was an elegant camera.

Its cloth focal-plane shutter had speeds from 4 seconds to 1/2000th. Its electronics included apertury-priority automatic exposure control, with exposure compensation. It also featured a 250-exposure bulk film back.

The RTS (which stands for "real time system") was available until 1982, when the RTS 2 was introduced.

You can read more about the Contax RTS at Camerapedia or cdegroot.com.

In a totally unrelated (?) subject, on Labour Day in 1977, I lost a multi-bit screwdriver under mysterious circumstances. Its disappearance was total and sudden. I suspect it fell through some sort of wormhole into either a parallel universe, or it went through a timewarp to some far off date in the past or future.

New Byrds box set out this month

There's a piece on the Billboard site about a new Byrds box set that is going to be released on September 26.

Founding members Roger McGuinn and Chris Hillman oversaw the creation of the 4-CD / 1-DVD set, which contains 5 previously unreleased tracks on the CDs, and a video disc of television appearances.

It looks like a great set.

shift

I tried shifting, and it works.

Zehrs

Zehrs is a chain of supermarkets in southwestern Ontario - part of the Loblaws group, which is part of the Weston corporate empire.

Grease is the word

Ever since I saw Grease (1978, directed by Randal Kleiser) on September 1, 1978, I've thought it's been one of the most fun cinematic experiences one could ever have.

Sure, the movie is silly, and you know that Olivia Newton-John (then 30) and John Travolta (then 24) aren't teenagers. But that doesn't matter, because they do such a great job in their parts. Also, the story and the music are so engaging.

Summer lovin', had me a blast
Summer lovin', happened so fast
Met a girl crazy for me
Met a boy cute as can be
Summer days drifting away
To, uh oh, those summer nights

Well-a, well-a, well-a, uh!