Where you at Red?

We've received hundred upon hundreds (yeah, right!) of emails asking us where we have been and if this is the end of Reality On Hold. The simple answer to the question is no. We've taken a brief hiatus to start compiling all the information we want to use in our next several posts.


Instead of focusing in on current events, December will be dedicated to looking into the past and reviewing the year that was 2009. We had a pretty incredible year with many ups and downs and we plan on looking back at some of those key moments that defined this year as well as our own review on some of the best music, movies and events from the past 12 months.


We also intend to make these posts as reader influenced as possible as we will have a few polls for you to vote on.


Keep on checking in on us over the next few weeks as we're sure there will be a lot of content to read. Feel free to leave as many comments as you would like as well, they are always welcome and we will try our best to respond to each and every one of you. (and by one of you I literally mean one of you as I think there is only one person out there that actually reads this thing!)


For now, take a look at the poll on the right and vote for your favourite song of 2009. There are links at the bottom of this post if you wish to see the music videos for these songs.


Cheers,
Red


"Single Ladies" - Beyonce
"I Gotta Feeling" - Black Eyed Peas
"Why I Am" - Dave Matthews Band
"Use Somebody" - Kings of Leon
"Poker Face" - Lady GaGa

'O' No, say it ain't so!

Prepare yourselves ladies (and men too ashamed to admit it) but you will soon have to find a new talk show to glue yourself to during the afternoon.


That's right, after more than 2 decades on the air, Oprah is set to announce to her audience tomorrow that she will be ending the show.


Although this may come as a shock, don't fret yet as she is only expected to be announcing the termination of the show on tomorrow's program. Rumours are that the cameras won't stop rolling until sometime in September 2011, at the end of her 25th year of the show.


Nobody is certain why the boss would want to stop the Oprah Winfrey Show, which has become a media institution in the US, with an average of 7 million viewers tuning in each day. The open atmosphere and frank conversation has defined the talk show genre and has also made Oprah the wealthiest black woman in the world.


But the Winfrey empire isn't about to collapse. Oprah still has her hand in several pies with her magazine production, and radio show. She is also scheduled to launch a television network, OWN, the Oprah Winfrey Network sometime in 2011 which will focus on issues such as money, health and relationships.


The closing of the Oprah Show will upset many for sure but will also lead to greater recognition for the funniest, and in our own opinion, best talk show on television today, The Ellen Degeneres Show.

IN THE CITY: Queen Elizabeth gets a much needed facelift

No, we're not talking about the 83-year-old leader of the British monarchy (although that would be funny) but instead the 50-year-old theatre in downtown Vancouver that bears her name.


Since the theatre opened it's doors back in 1959 it seems everyone has become a critic, often complaining about the sightlines, the acoustics, and the legroom of the auditorium as well as the unexciting, boring and dimly lit foyer. Women have complained about large lineups for the washrooms and technicians have fretted over how difficult it was to light a show and deal with the muddy sound. Even audiences seeing serious theatre next door at the Playhouse Theatre walked out, demanding their money back because the sound from rock concerts at the QE was leaking through the walls.


This weekend marks a new act in the theatre's life as it reopens to the public after an extensive four and a half year $48.5 million renovation. Here are some of the new improvements to the theatre along with a few photos:


LOBBY/FOYER
Gone is the poorly lit, low ceilinged lobbies that were on every floor. The closed-in space has been opened up to a three-storey atrium with new light-coloured, marble-covered concrete walls supporting the building - part of a massive seismic upgrade.
Floor to ceiling glass covers the south wall of the building bringing in lots of light and beautiful views of the city alive outside. Also constructed are new bars and concessions, slick, new furniture and, yes, more women's washrooms on every level. Beautiful chandeliers made from sustainably harvested seashells from the Straight of Georgia dangle from above.

SOUND DECISIONS
Acoustics in the auditorium have been improved in letter grade from a dismal D to an amazing A by directing the sound at the audience in many ways. The ceiling was raised by six to twelve metres, carpet was ripped out and replaced with engineered hardwood flooring and new modern wooden and upholstered seating was installed. There were about 100 sound reflectors installed as well to aid with directing the sound towards the middle of the audience. Meanwhile, the QE and Playhouse were structurally separated so sound no longer leaks through.

SEATING
169 fewer seats are in the new auditorium leaving for more comfort and plenty of legroom. The seating in the centre block is staggered so you no longer have to stare directly at somebody's head in front of you. Also removed was the sloped floor that had you standing on an uncomfortable downward angle towards the stage. A new tiered riser floor has been installed as in most modern venues today.

SITUATION ROOM
A glassed-in room, overlooking the stage from the mezzanine level serves as a refuge for patrons with whiny babies or screaming little children.


Now we will have to see how these improvements stack up to other great theatre venues in the city but this much needed renovation should bring a lot more great acts to this theatre fit for a queen.

FRIDAY FUNNIES: J-E-L-L-O Time!

In honour of one of the funniest men we remember from growing up we start this Friday morning with a look back at the great Bill Cosby.


Mr. Cosby has given us so many moments of laughter in life, whether it be from his comedy sitcom "The Cosby Show," his variety program "Kids Say The Darndest Things," or his stand up material.


The now 72-year-old Cosby is performing this evening at the River Rock Casino.


Take a look back and watch this classic clip of young Cosby explaining the effects of drugs…absolutely hilarious!


Happy Friday!

COMING ATTRACTION: 2012

"We Were Warned"


Opening this Friday, November 13th, is the new action/drama 2012 from director Roland Emmerich (The Day After Tomorrow, Independence Day.)


Never before has a date in history been so significant to so many cultures, so many religions, scientists, and government. 2012 is an epic adventure about a global cataclysm that brings an end to the world and tells of the heroic struggle of the survivors.


The movie stars some credible names including John Cusack, Amanda Peet and Danny Glover. The $200 million production was to begin filming in LA in 2008 but luckily was moved to beautiful Vancouver and wrapped up earlier this year.


This film has been built up for several months as one of the top blockbusters of the year. We will only have to wait a few more days to find out how it makes out in the box office wars but we shouldn't be too surprised to see it rake in top honours considering there are no real big movies being released at the same time. The true test will come in it's second weekend in theatres when it will battle The Twilight Saga: New Moon.


Check out the trailer for 2012 below. It looks pretty amazing:

MUSIC REVIEW: David Gray - Draw the Line

After a four-year hiatus, David Gray has returned with a new band, a new record label, and a new studio album, his 7th to date. However, no matter how new everything is, one thing remains the same - that is his warm calloused voice, creative lyrics and catchy songs.


Draw the Line is a collection of 11 solid tracks consistent in appeal to previous recordings. The title track "Fugitive" is a powerful song that kicks off the album with a martial tempo drum beat followed by a looping piano and then "live in the moment" lyrics.


Gray shares some time on this album with 2 brilliant female singers as well. Jolie Holland, founding member of The Be Good Tanyas lends her vocals on the track titled "Kathleen" which perfectly portrays the spectral scene of a man wondering, lost, with a bygone lover on his mind. And then Annie Lennox trades lines with Gray on the wrenching ballad "Full Steam" that closes the record.


Draw the Line is unmistakably David Gray - his voice is distinct and the melodies are instantly recognizable. It may be pretty tough to top our own personal favourite album White Ladder from 1999 but Draw the Line is definitely on the right track to bring this artist back to the limelight he deserves.


Check out the trailer for the new album as well as the video for the first single "Fugitive" below:

BOOKMARK: Nubs: The True Story of a Mutt, A Marine, and a Miracle

A touching story on TV tonight from The Tonight Show with Conan O'Brien told the story of Marine Major Brian Dennis and his stray friend Nubs.


This book tells the story of how nothing could come between a dog and a man and how loyal a canine companion can be.


Straight from the inside cover:


Nubs, an Iraqi dog of war, never had a home or a person of his own. He was the leader of a pack of wild dogs living off the land and barely surviving. But Nubs's life changed when he met Marine Major Brian Dennis. The two formed a fast friendship, made stronger by Dennis's willingness to share his meals, offer a warm place to sleep, and give Nubs the kind of care and attention he had never received before. Nubs became part of Dennis's human "pack" until duty required the Marines to relocate a full 70 miles away--without him. Nubs had no way of knowing that Marines were not allowed to have pets.


So began an incredible journey that would take Nubs through a freezing desert, filled with danger tofind his friend and would lead Dennis on a mission that would touch the hearts of people all over the world.


Nubs and Dennis will remind readers that friendship has the power to cross deserts, continents, and even species.