Monday Madness on Tuesday...

"Fly the friendly skies!..."  United Airlines

I am well aware that it is Tuesday, trust me on that.  But I figured that since I couldn't get my two cents in yesterday on the news that irked me, I would give you a rundown on my flight into Canada with Air Canada.  As of Sunday, I THA CONNOISSEUR, HATE AIR CANADA.

This slogan was used by United Airlines to show the world that they were quite capable in carrying their customers to where they need to go on a daily basis.  Well my dear friends, Air Canada's slogan is: "The Freedom To Fly Your Way" which I think is really a load of %&$!?!

I have always been weary about using Air Canada to go anywhere because of horror stories I have heard from people who have dared to get on one of their flights.  So I finally bit the bullet and took my tail on my first Air Canada flight last year - and low and behold, they lost my luggage.  You would think that I have learned from that experience, but nooooo.  So again when I left for NYC in February, my travel agent booked a cheap Air Canada flight and OH LORD not ever again shall I fall for that!  Please take into consideration that the flight was to leave at 6:30 pm and my ass should have been home on Sunday evening around 8 pm.

Here is a rundown of the events:

Sunday June 8th @ 4:30pm - Arrived at LaGauardia airport and WAS NOT told that the plane was delayed.  According to the system when I called in to check my reservation, the plane was on time.

5:00 pm -  A young lady checks in and upon her finding a seat at the gate, let's us know that the plane has been delayed until 7:45.  Not one announcement has been made as yet or at least, none was heard.

6:00 pm -  Announcement made that the flight has been delayed for 7:45 pm (no really??)

7:15 pm - Announcement made that the flight has now been cancelled but we were being put on standby for a 10 pm flight that same night.  HOWEVER, not everyone heard because the shotty PA system was not working at our gate.  As we all got up to find out what was going on, the little she-devil behind the counter decided to then tell everyone "You didn't hear because the PA system does not work on that side (you THINK they would let their customers know before hand?) and that we should move so we could hear."  Trust me, it was not said as nice as it is being relayed.

7:35 pm - Finally my turn at the desk to make a choice, standby or book for the next day.  I chose both.  I mean come on, I was already there so I matter as well get my tail home no?

---- In waiting, I met a Torontonian who was on the same flight as I was.  She was a sweetheart and we ranted about Air Canada and it's stupidities.  It is not the first time that either of us has had a problem with them - surprise surprise.  

9:59 pm -  GUESS WHAT??!!  The standby flight for 10 pm has now been cancelled.  So the choice was to sleep in the airport or go back to Brooklyn.  So being that I did not want to dish out another $30 for another cab back, I took the long haul back to Brooklyn by bus and subway, reaching home at 12:15 am.  Oh and to make things worse, people were already pissed and such from waiting in the airport all day, the aforementioned she-devil at the desk relayed this message to the masses:

"I will say it again, the 10 pm plane is now cancelled and you have two options.  One, you are welcome to sleep in the airport or two, YOU have to find accommodations, Air Canada will not be paying them for you..."  What a heathen.

----Now I had to start all over again on Monday, for my flight at 12:30 pm.

9:30 am - Left the house in Brooklyn (by cab!) to head out to the hell hole once again.

10:00 am - I am right back to where I started, waiting for my 12:30 flight.

12:05 pm - We were supposed to board at 11:55, but I guess since we were on the plane we really didn't care.

12:40 pm - Everyone is on the plane and we learn from the pilot that we are 15th in line to take off because of the backup in flights due to the storm the day before.  WTF!!  Fifteenth!!  Here we go again...

----Alright, enough of the timeline.  We finally took off at around 1:45 pm and reached Toronto at 2:30 pm.  I hate to travel during the hours of one and six because of the craziness and long lines at immigration.  And so said, so done.  The lines were insane and I stood there for 45 minutes just for a one minute conversation...

"Where did you come from?" - New York

"How long where you there?" - 4 months

"Alright"

"You are all set, have a good day..." - You too.

SERIOUSLY!!???

By the time I got out of Pearson airport it was around 4 pm.  I made yet another friend and ended up getting a ride half way to my destination, which helped immensely.  I AM SPENT!! D-O-N-E!  But I guarantee that your girl will be in top form and back to some sort or normality soon.  Do know that I WILL NOT be taking any form of Air Canada back to anywhere if there is anyway that I can avoid it, it will be done!!  Have any flight horror stories?  Do share!

Flashback of the day:  Today is a chill day and I am so set in chill mode.  So here is a little fun pick me up ditty from my girl Aretha.

See y'all soon...

Tha Connoisseur 

Groove With Me...

"You know that its true, you can call me crazy!"  Guy - You Can Call Me Crazy

It is Friday yet again!  Why is it when you want the week to speed by, it usually goes at a turtle's pace and vice versa?  This is one of the weeks that I would have preferred that it went slowly, as I am heading back to Toronto for the summer.  I don't want to leave NYC for the obvious reason that there is nothing and I mean NOTHING like New York in the summertime.  But I see it this way, the silver lining for me is seeing family and friends, touching base with the peoples, catching shows and keeping up with the writing gigs from TDot.  I will be right back in Brooklyn come September, to pick up where I left off.

So with that said, the album of the week is:

The New Jack Swing era was brought forth by producer extraordinaire Mr. Teddy Riley, with the merging of r&b and hip-hop a new sound was born in the streets.  Teddy's known vehicle of delivery was none other than the assembling of Aaron "Nasty Man" Hall, Teddy himself and Aaron's brother Damion "Crazy Legs" Hall.  Now the original line up did not include Damion Hall, but Timmy Gatlin (featured on the cover of the album) who was from Teddy's first group Kids At Work.  Personally, I say thank god for Damion, he is so much more memorable.   Teddy Riley's work has not gone unnoticed at all, with collaborations and hits with some of the most well known acts in the industry like Michael Jackson, Al B. Sure!, Heavy D & The Boyz, Blackstreet (just the tip of the iceberg, there are so many more) and notably–Guy, he is seen as an instrumental part of contributing his funky style to the r&b genre in the early 90's.  

It is impossible to turn on this album without movin' and shakin' your ass, unless you don't have a pulse!  Guy is a funky, upbeat, soulful and danceable disc.  The album's domineering opening track "Groove Me" is a testament to true ol' school dancers everywhere, just take a look at the video.  "Teddy's Jam" is a classic instrumental jam with Aaron doing his best Charlie Wilson in the background, "You Can Call Me Crazy" is a solid Al B Sure! mistaken track–no y'all it is NOT him!  While the two ballads "Piece Of My Love" and "Goodbye Love" are definitely quiet storm classics as well, with the latter being sampled by Mary J. Blige on "Don't Go".  It seems like the all around word here is "classic", however I will be honest, the one song that does not agree with me is "My Business."  I am so happy that song is at the end of the disc, I still listen to it but would not be heartbroken at all if it somehow got missed on the album.  

Besides Teddy Riley being the formidable producer that he is, bringing us Guy, he also brought us Blackstreet and a host of unmistakeable hits like "My Prerogative", "Do The Right Thing" and "Just Got Paid" just to name a few.  He is still wearing his producer hat and lent a hand in working 0n New Kids On The Block's new album.  And judging from the first single, the album just may be something to talk about.  The voice behind the outfit–Aaron Hall, went on to a promising solo career with his debut solo album The Truth that gave us "Don't Be Afraid" and the heart wrenching "I Miss You."  He also did guest spots on the Boomerang soundtrack with his idol, aforementioned Charlie Wilson and with R. Kelly and a host of R&B male singers called Black Men United (BMU) on the Jason's Lyric soundtrack.  Even though Aaron's star fizzled out (I did not enjoy his album Adults Only) and R. Kelly bit off of him like no one else could do, his voice is distinctive and can never be forgotten.  His brother Damion Hall, was not the strongest vocal performer in my book, but he carried the background bits well.  He went on to bring us his debut solo album Straight To The Point, which was actually pretty good, but his remake of Donny Hathaway's "Song For You" featuring Aaron Hall and his single "Satisfy You" featuring Chante Moore are the definite stand outs and are worth the downloads from iTunes or wherever you plan to cop it.  Look out for Guy, last I heard is that they were working on an album, but who knows with everyone and their cat and dog using a vocoder now a days , what does that leave for Teddy?  God knows I don't want to hear him sing–think of "No Diggity"...ya I thought so.

Flashback of the day:  Well, today I decided to cheat just a bit.  It's not that often that I do so is it?  I have decided to bring three videos your way–a video of each artist doing their Guy thing and their solo thing.

First up, Guy and yes I am aware this was on previously but who cares?  Since I posted the video last time, I thought I would go with the live version at the Apollo this time:

Second, Aaron Hall in a suit and his background dancers wearing Cross Colors (holy ish!!):

And lastly, Damion and Chante Moore doing the damn thing...so sexy!  It's not the original, but the remix is alright...

See y'all on the Canadian side on Monday...

Tha Connoisseur