Category Archives: Entertainment

CBC Blocks Human Rights Hearing

The CBC has filed a court application in the PEI Supreme Court to stop a Human Rights Panel hearing into a complaint of disability discrimination against a local journalist with a disability

CBC fights to block Human Rights panel

PEI Disability Alert PRLog – The Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, a publicly funded broadcaster, has filed a court application in the Supreme Court of Prince Edward Island to stop a Human Rights Panel hearing into a complaint of disability discrimination against a local journalist living with a disability.

Stephen Pate, an internet journalist, filed a complaint against CBC News producer Donna Allen and other members of the Press Gallery of the PEI Legislature after they took away his press pass in October 2009.

Pate says the CBC wanted him out of the press gallery since NJN Network was a vocal critic of the CBC’s media bias. Continue reading →

Fender and other instruments 50% off for Father’s Day

It’s huge – up to 50% discounts on brand-name musical instruments like Fender guitars, Yamaha keyboards, Ampeg amps, violins and mics

Fender American Vintage ’72 Telecaster® Custom Electric Guitar, 3 Tone Sunburst, Maple Fretboard

I can’t resist an instrument sale. Amazon.com is having a doozy.

I found a Fender American Vintage ’72 Telecaster® Custom Electric Guitar, 3 Tone Sunburst going for $1,199.

The products include beginner guitar and keyboard kits to high-end gear at bargain prices.

Along with Fender, there are guitars from Martin, Gibson, Squire and Ovation, keyboards by Yamaha, Novation and Casio, mics by Blue Microphone, Shure, and Rode violins by Molinari, bass amps by Ampeg, and hundreds of other name brand companies. Continue reading →

PEI Battle Ground for New Media and Journalist with a Disability

A raging human rights battle is being waged on PEI in an ongoing battle for legitimacy between old and new media, as well as accessibility issues for the press

Wayne Thibodeau, Guardian no room in the inn for journalists in wheelchairs (Facebook photo)

By Chris Benjamin, OyeTimes – A raging human rights battle on PEI that highlights an ongoing battle for legitimacy between old and new media, as well as accessibility issues for the press, has garnered surprisingly little media attention.

It began in the fall of 2009, when the explosion of news blogging was a mere gathering of volatile gasses. After unanimously voting controversial news blogger Stephen Pate their secretary/treasurer, members of the Island’s press gallery booted him from their ranks. They claimed the issue was spurious content; Pate says it was his association with a disability advocate group—a violation of human rights law. Continue reading →

Happy 72nd Birthday Bob Dylan May 24 2013

Has my life been wasted listening to and following Bob Dylan for almost 5 decades?

Bob Dylan on tour in Barrowsland UK

One of the world’s most prolific songwriters and touring performers turns 72 doing what he likes the most – touring.

Bob Dylan, who is 72 years old today, is taking a few days off from The Never Ending Tour but he will be back on the road June 26th in West Palm Beach Florida.

Born May 24, 1941, Dylan was the darling of the 1960′s folk and folk rock scene, establishing a legacy for himself as the pre-eminent singer songwriter.

Celebrate his birthday by listening to your fave Dylan music. Continue reading →

How Netflix Killed Cable TV

With the release of the drama series “Arrested Development” Netflix is poised to take more people away from cable and only costs $8 per month

3 seasons of the Fox Series Arrested Development now available on Netflix

Two weeks ago, when I called a reporter buddy about a story, he was engrossed in watching several episodes of the drama series Mad Men.

We only talked briefly about the story but did compare notes on which Netflix series we were watching. Continue reading →

Taylor Swift sweeps Billboard Music Awards performs Reds – digital sales take off

Taylor Swift cleaned up at the 2013 Billboard Music Awards. The biggest winner was the internet as music lovers grew digital sales 10% and CD’s declined

Taylor Swift performing “Reds” wins 8 Billboard Awards

Taylor Swift swept the 2013 Billboard Awards in Los Vegas with 8 awards, including top artist and top album. Other winners include Justin Bieber, Gotye and Rihanna.

Swift has totally crossed over winning Top Country and Top Artist in the same year.

“You are the longest and best relationship I ever had,” said Swift whose songs chronicle the ups and downs of her personal relationships. Continue reading →

Things to do on Sunday morning – update your Nokia Lumia Windows Phone

Looking for trouble on a Sunday, I updated my trouble-prone Lumia 920 with the much-anticipated, latest Nokia firmware 1232.5962.1314.0000

Nokia Lumia 920 home screen (S. Pate photo)

The sun was streaming in the south-facing Windows two hours ago when I announced to my wife “Oh look, my Nokia phone has an automatic update.

“You are a bear for punishment,” she said from her easy-boy chair taking in the morning sun after the frost last night.

“Isn’t that phone jinxed?”

“Babe, I like being on the bleeding edge.” I replied with a smile.

“Just because the phone has been replaced 3 times since Christmas and bricked last weekend does not mean anything. Hope springs eternal that Nokia will finally get it right.”

With a devil-may-care grin I pressed the OK on the automatic update and 10 minutes and one cold boot later, the Lumia 920 was back in action. Continue reading →