Leprosy: Lesions and respiratory effects, what's not to love Vancouver?

The International Office of Epizootics has declared the armadillo as being the only other living creature, besides humans, to contract Leprosy. A new reason for me to fear armadillos is here! The armored insectivore has yet to make the North American Trek to Vancouver or even Canada for that matter, but a rare and unusual coincidence has occurred this past weekend…

A crew member aboard an Olympic personnel ship was diagnosed with the chronic disease by health officials on Friday. The ship, docked at a Vancouver’s city harbor, housed police and Canadian Forces serving at the 2010 Games. The crew member who remains unnamed, reportedly did not come in contact with any passengers, as he worked primarily in the engine room.

Everyone aboard the ship was tested and no one else has contracted the disease — yet. But the disease could still spread, although the risk is low. However, the infected crew member is reported to be on his way back home.

The feeling that I was missing out on a tremendous event in Canadian history has somewhat simmered since the commencement of the 2010 Games. And now the petite wish to physically be in Vancouver has completely vanished.

However, I think being out west right now would be better than having to sit through “I Believe” commercials and hear the cheesy “I Believe” song. And don’t get me started on the ridiculousness of Olympic athletes (who have little to no body fat), promoting MacDonald’s and Coca-Cola...? Yes, a fast food chain does make the most sense to be an official sponsor to a world wide event that is not only sport-based but is all consumed by Sporty Spices.

Whatevs, “Go Canada Go!” Patriotism is so in right now, don’tcha know?!

Grammy’s: A night full of glitz, tits and glamour

The 52nd Annual Grammy Awards took over network television last night. Beyonce Knowles was the lead nominee up for 10 awards. Taylor Swift was close behind with eight nominations. Knowles grabbed six awards, including song of the year for “Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It)”, the most to be won by a female performer in a single event. Swift did not go unnoticed as she won the coveted album of the year category, at the age of 20 she is now the youngest to win this award. And rounding out the top awards was Kings of Leon, who stole the record of the year category for “Use Somebody.”

Performance Rundown

The 3-D tribute to Michael Jackson performed the most unusual collaboration of artists—Jennifer Hudson, Carrie Underwood, Usher, Smokey Robinson, and Celine Dion...? While most of the crowd was watching the show designed for Jackson’s This Is It Tour with 3-D glasses, it begs to wonder if they were watching the performers. Usher Raymond was showboating and performing with over-the-top dramatics. Celine Dion stood there looking pretty and French in her bedazzled gown. The best in show had to be Hudson who not only looked good with her post baby figure, but also belted out a memorable verse of Jackson’s hit “Earth Song.”

“Blame it (On the Alcohol)” was performed by Jamie Foxx and company. Decked out in questionable attire, Foxx led his hit single starting out as an opera performance. The conductor of the “orchestra” was revealed later to be T-Pain. Slash, the big-haired guitarist from Guns ’n’ Roses, came in with the solo from “November Rain.” This definitely upped the cool factor for Foxx’s song about drinking vodka and bagging the ladies. Jay-Z, who is openly against audio tune, was on his feet during the performance. Foxx ended it with apologizing to Jay-Z for the audio tune. Hey Foxx, why did you apologize for a song that made your whole album?

Pink, dressed head to toe in a white hooded gown, performed her song “Glitter in the Air.” Halfway through the performance I was thinking, “Wow, Beyonce could take a note from Pink. She is always so over exposed, but look at Pink she is the epitome of class right here…” and then Pink sheds her gown! After her strip down, revealing a skin tight body suit, she goes for the trapeze theatrics once again. Flying high and singing along, Pink then gets dipped into a pool of unknown liquid, which was spun and spewed onto members of the crowd. I guess you’ve made it when no one complains that you just spewed crap all over them.

The most interesting point of the night, for me, had to be Taylor Swift and Stevie Nicks. The simplicity was a breath of fresh air from all the circus and opera antics. However, Swift, the new teen queen, did not respect her elder, who happens to be a music icon. Swift’s voice overpowered Nicks' at various times throughout the performance, which just seemed blasphemous to me. Stevie Nicks should have been the centre with Swift being the back-up singer, not the other way around. Does respect for seniority mean nothing anymore?

Fashion Wise

Beyonce’s garb looked like it was designed by Mr. T who was just messing around with some chain-mail.

Ke$ha looked like she rolled out of the ditch, where she slept the night before. Her make-up was whack, not in the trendy, 80s sense, but in the way of “Why did you do your own make-up?” Who is her handler and are they on just as much drugs as she looks to be?

Katy Perry looked like an ice-skating pop princess…should of let that non-trend glide by Katy. The flesh coloured, body-suit-like bedazzled get up was juvenile and unfashionable, in my eyes anyway. Tonya Harding, on the other hand, probably would have killed Perry for her outfit.

Rihanna, seemed to play it fashionably safe in a white gown by Elie Saab. That is until she stood up and walked to accept the best rap collaboration award with Jay-Z. I think she took inspiration from the cockatoo bird.

To sum it up, I should have skipped the show and went to bed early as the show lasted a grueling three and half hours, ending at 11:30 p.m. Way too long and drawn out for me, so next year I will be catching the highlights on E!

(AP Photo/Matt Sayles)