I have a weekly meeting at 7.30 on Wednesday morning.
I am tired.
I heard from Leah. The band is not playing in Sydney anymore, and are heading back today. The drive to Cape Breton was too far too make it worth their while. It sounds like all of their shows in the maritime provinces were lots of fun.
They are planning on driving straight back without stopping (3 drivers on rotation...) so they should be back tomorrow.
Hooray.
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
Monday, August 25, 2008
Monday
I pretty much hit you up with the weekend already.
Last night the cat managed to get cat-poop on a) herself b) the cone that is on her head to stop her from killing herself. I was very excited to have to clean it all up.
When I woke up this morning there was puke all over a) the kitchen b) the living room c) the cone that is on her head to stop her from killing herself. I was very excited to have to clean it all up.
Last night I watched a strange movie called the Princess and the Warrior. It was made by the Run Lola Run people, but with less electronic music. It featured the most artfully directed tracheotomy scene ever.
Last night the cat managed to get cat-poop on a) herself b) the cone that is on her head to stop her from killing herself. I was very excited to have to clean it all up.
When I woke up this morning there was puke all over a) the kitchen b) the living room c) the cone that is on her head to stop her from killing herself. I was very excited to have to clean it all up.
Last night I watched a strange movie called the Princess and the Warrior. It was made by the Run Lola Run people, but with less electronic music. It featured the most artfully directed tracheotomy scene ever.
Sunday, August 24, 2008
Mid-weekend - part two
I just talked to Leah - she called from PEI - the band seems to be doing well and having a good time for the most part! It sounds like they had an amazing show in Sackville (I'm jealous that I wasn't able to hang out at a barbecue with Julie Doiron and the Sappy folks)... and a good house-party show last night.
Here is a video that Reg made (with music by the talented Mr Peter Katz)
Yesterday - after doing laundry, I went to the islands. Their was a man-shower/hangout of sorts for Andrew - although I wasn't sure where/when on the islands people were meeting. I ended up walking around by myself on the islands for about 2-3 hours (and at least 10 kilometres). It was hot and I wanted to swim, but I didn't have a bathing suit so I was out of luck.
At least I would have been were it not for the clothing optional beach at the far end of the island. Relying on my non-north american upbringing (and subsequent lack of naked-phobia), I was able to enjoy a quick swim in the lake, along with a bunch of old fat nude guys.
Eventually (reclothed) I ran into Esther, and met up with Andrew and co for a little while. Then I made my way over to the little island church. I stopped behind a bush to put on a dress-shirt and tie, and then went to watch Dylan and Joanna get married. Afterwards, David rang the church bell a bunch, and then got me to give the rope a tug too (you don't get to toll a bell everyday!) The groomsmen looked even more like Reservoir dogs once they got outside and the sunglasses came out.
We all walked over to the little coffee shop before taking the Ward's island ferry back to 'the mainland'.
Here is a video that Reg made (with music by the talented Mr Peter Katz)
Yesterday - after doing laundry, I went to the islands. Their was a man-shower/hangout of sorts for Andrew - although I wasn't sure where/when on the islands people were meeting. I ended up walking around by myself on the islands for about 2-3 hours (and at least 10 kilometres). It was hot and I wanted to swim, but I didn't have a bathing suit so I was out of luck.
At least I would have been were it not for the clothing optional beach at the far end of the island. Relying on my non-north american upbringing (and subsequent lack of naked-phobia), I was able to enjoy a quick swim in the lake, along with a bunch of old fat nude guys.
Eventually (reclothed) I ran into Esther, and met up with Andrew and co for a little while. Then I made my way over to the little island church. I stopped behind a bush to put on a dress-shirt and tie, and then went to watch Dylan and Joanna get married. Afterwards, David rang the church bell a bunch, and then got me to give the rope a tug too (you don't get to toll a bell everyday!) The groomsmen looked even more like Reservoir dogs once they got outside and the sunglasses came out.
We all walked over to the little coffee shop before taking the Ward's island ferry back to 'the mainland'.
Midweekend Update
On Friday night I went to a show at the Horseshoe. Despite being a bit lonely sans my lovely wife, it was probably the funnest show I have been to in a long time.
I was a bit early, so I walked to the Horseshoe, and then hung out in the coffeeshop across the street. I had never heard of the first band, the Stables, from Oshawa. They were a country-ish trio with a definite punk bent. Also, their instruments were amazing. Instead of a bass, they had a metal wash-basin, with a rope attached to a hockey stick. The bass-player (which rotated from song to song) would stand on the upturned basin, with the hockey stick between his legs, and pluck the rope, pulling on the stick to adjust the pitch. And (with a mic stuck underneath the basin) it totally worked.
The drum kit was an old suitcase for a kickdrum, a snare, two bongos, and a tambourine. The guitar and lead vocals switched from song to song, and a banjo (with a light-bulb hacked into the body) would show up now and then. Everyone had a vocal mic for harmonies and yell-along choruses.
Novelty instruments aside, these guys put on quite a show. Their country-punk energy and enjoyment was contagious... and their cover of the Dead Milkmen's Punk-Rock Girl was awesome.
The second band was Toronto's own Bruce Peninsula. They were in amazing percussive sing-along form, and were clearly enjoying themselves. This band has amazing vocalists - between the three female singers (crazy voices), second guitarist, and Neil Haverty (with his gravelly voice), not to mention the rhythm section joining in when appropriate, they are able to nail their gospel/slave-song/american music anthology sound. Coupled with their crazy percussion, this band is pretty crazy (not to mention eerily creepy). Their last song, with the guitars cutting out and Neil at his most vocally devastating, over sing-along backup vocals, was amazing.
Cuff the Duke was the main act. These guys seem to me to be the ultimate Canadian small-townish band. Understated and well-mannered, they could easily be extras in a 50s era movie (or the perfect live backing-band for label-mate Hayden). Wayne, with his Buddy Holly/Elvis Costello glasses, is the most charismatic of the lot, in his own understated way. They could almost be a boring act to watch, if it weren't for a) their songs are good b) they play well c) by the time they got going they were having SO MUCH FUN. They seemed to improve steadily throughout their set, and by the end of it they were pretty amazing. Highlights included a guest appearance by label-mate Basia Bulat and her backup vocalists (Sep12 at Nightfall, Sep13 at Eddie's Attic, for all you southerners who might read this), and an encore sing-along cover of Bob Seger's Against the Wind, with Basia and co, the Stables and Bruce Peninsula all on stage.
It was fun.
I was a bit early, so I walked to the Horseshoe, and then hung out in the coffeeshop across the street. I had never heard of the first band, the Stables, from Oshawa. They were a country-ish trio with a definite punk bent. Also, their instruments were amazing. Instead of a bass, they had a metal wash-basin, with a rope attached to a hockey stick. The bass-player (which rotated from song to song) would stand on the upturned basin, with the hockey stick between his legs, and pluck the rope, pulling on the stick to adjust the pitch. And (with a mic stuck underneath the basin) it totally worked.
The drum kit was an old suitcase for a kickdrum, a snare, two bongos, and a tambourine. The guitar and lead vocals switched from song to song, and a banjo (with a light-bulb hacked into the body) would show up now and then. Everyone had a vocal mic for harmonies and yell-along choruses.
Novelty instruments aside, these guys put on quite a show. Their country-punk energy and enjoyment was contagious... and their cover of the Dead Milkmen's Punk-Rock Girl was awesome.
The second band was Toronto's own Bruce Peninsula. They were in amazing percussive sing-along form, and were clearly enjoying themselves. This band has amazing vocalists - between the three female singers (crazy voices), second guitarist, and Neil Haverty (with his gravelly voice), not to mention the rhythm section joining in when appropriate, they are able to nail their gospel/slave-song/american music anthology sound. Coupled with their crazy percussion, this band is pretty crazy (not to mention eerily creepy). Their last song, with the guitars cutting out and Neil at his most vocally devastating, over sing-along backup vocals, was amazing.
Cuff the Duke was the main act. These guys seem to me to be the ultimate Canadian small-townish band. Understated and well-mannered, they could easily be extras in a 50s era movie (or the perfect live backing-band for label-mate Hayden). Wayne, with his Buddy Holly/Elvis Costello glasses, is the most charismatic of the lot, in his own understated way. They could almost be a boring act to watch, if it weren't for a) their songs are good b) they play well c) by the time they got going they were having SO MUCH FUN. They seemed to improve steadily throughout their set, and by the end of it they were pretty amazing. Highlights included a guest appearance by label-mate Basia Bulat and her backup vocalists (Sep12 at Nightfall, Sep13 at Eddie's Attic, for all you southerners who might read this), and an encore sing-along cover of Bob Seger's Against the Wind, with Basia and co, the Stables and Bruce Peninsula all on stage.
It was fun.
Thursday, August 21, 2008
Thursday
Yesterday I had a 7.30 morning meeting. I also had a site visit to a new clinic in Markham in the afternoon, so I got home at around 7. That makes for a work day just shy of the 12 hour mark. At least it was broken up with meetings and field trips...
Marcus came over for dinner. We ate some salad and each had half a chicken, from the cooked chicken store.
Today, I take the unstoppable Mabel back to the vet. She is determined to sever her head from her body, using only the power of her ever-licking tongue.
Leah and the rest of the band are currently in Fredericton (I think). Tomorrow they are playing in Sackville, at a barbecue. Leah's parents will be in attendance.
That is all!
Marcus came over for dinner. We ate some salad and each had half a chicken, from the cooked chicken store.
Today, I take the unstoppable Mabel back to the vet. She is determined to sever her head from her body, using only the power of her ever-licking tongue.
Leah and the rest of the band are currently in Fredericton (I think). Tomorrow they are playing in Sackville, at a barbecue. Leah's parents will be in attendance.
That is all!
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
News
The band is now into New Brunswick, and getting ready for a bunch of shows all over the maritimes.
Monday, August 18, 2008
Tour Update
Check out the Their Shallow Valley myspace page for tour updates from Joel.
I have talked to Leah a couple of times. So far it sounds like they are having a fun and exhausting time. They started off playing their first show to an audience of about 3 people, and spending their first night in a rather filthy house - so things could only get better after that!
Since then, things have gotten better. They played to a rammed bro-crowd in a bar in Kingston, and then spent a night with Josh, Corky, Hannah, and Molly. When Leah got up for breakfast, she was greeted by Hannah, who told her that she looks like a pixie.
They had a day off, and spent last night in luxury in a house in... I forget where (Brockville?) Leah had her own room and bed, and everyone had a chance to sleep. Today they are off to Ottawa, to rock our nation's capital.
I have talked to Leah a couple of times. So far it sounds like they are having a fun and exhausting time. They started off playing their first show to an audience of about 3 people, and spending their first night in a rather filthy house - so things could only get better after that!
Since then, things have gotten better. They played to a rammed bro-crowd in a bar in Kingston, and then spent a night with Josh, Corky, Hannah, and Molly. When Leah got up for breakfast, she was greeted by Hannah, who told her that she looks like a pixie.
They had a day off, and spent last night in luxury in a house in... I forget where (Brockville?) Leah had her own room and bed, and everyone had a chance to sleep. Today they are off to Ottawa, to rock our nation's capital.
Weekend
I got home early enough on Friday to see Leah and the rest of the band off on their tour. The van was absolutely rammed full of stuff, and they managed to leave an hour or two later than planned, but just before a crazy storm landed.
I watched quite a few movies and went for quite a few long walks over the course of the weekend. I also took another trip to the vet with Mabel. Due to her obsessive-compulsive character, she has been trying to lick her own head off. She left with a cone around her head, which she likes to lick instead. I hope she gets used to it, because there are times when she licks at it non-stop - like every second = 60+ times/minute = 3600+ times/hour = 86400+ times/day. Luckily she takes breaks to sleep and to walk around the apartment hating everything, otherwise I think she would seriously lick her own tongue to shreds.
I also got a haircut.
I watched quite a few movies and went for quite a few long walks over the course of the weekend. I also took another trip to the vet with Mabel. Due to her obsessive-compulsive character, she has been trying to lick her own head off. She left with a cone around her head, which she likes to lick instead. I hope she gets used to it, because there are times when she licks at it non-stop - like every second = 60+ times/minute = 3600+ times/hour = 86400+ times/day. Luckily she takes breaks to sleep and to walk around the apartment hating everything, otherwise I think she would seriously lick her own tongue to shreds.
I also got a haircut.
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
TSV
Today is Leah's last day at Evergreen. Yesterday, Joel picked up their band's CDs. On Friday they all leave for a 15 day tour.
Monday, August 11, 2008
wknd
Friday night - We rented and watched Back to the Future. That movie is good!
Saturday - We took the cats to the vet for vaccinations. It was a mission that traumatized all parties involved. In the afternoon we went to the Dufferin Mall. That night we went to a show at the Whippersnapper gallery. We were old. Luckily we were able to get earplugs at Shoppers, for the sound was ridiculously loud. By the time the first three bands were done, we were kind of too tired to stay for the whole Bruce Peninsula set. It was still fun though.
Sunday - We went to the Common (favorite coffee shop in the city), and while we were there, Jen dropped off a dresser for us. It is now in the living room and working out very well. Church was good, and afterwards Brad and Sarah came over for dinner. We stayed up too late.
Saturday - We took the cats to the vet for vaccinations. It was a mission that traumatized all parties involved. In the afternoon we went to the Dufferin Mall. That night we went to a show at the Whippersnapper gallery. We were old. Luckily we were able to get earplugs at Shoppers, for the sound was ridiculously loud. By the time the first three bands were done, we were kind of too tired to stay for the whole Bruce Peninsula set. It was still fun though.
Sunday - We went to the Common (favorite coffee shop in the city), and while we were there, Jen dropped off a dresser for us. It is now in the living room and working out very well. Church was good, and afterwards Brad and Sarah came over for dinner. We stayed up too late.
Tuesday, August 05, 2008
Weekend
Blogging is a bore
On Friday, I got off work a little early. I went to a bookstore and a record store. I bought A Story Like The Wind, and Herman Dune's Not On Top. I've read the book before, so I know that it is a good one. The CD is typical Herman Dune - weirdly awesome. (sample chorus lyrics - I woke up in/Seven different cities/With the same stain/Of ketchup on my khakis... check out some tunes here and here.)
That night we braved the club district on Caribana weekend to try to see Batman in Imax. Unfortunately, it was sold out, so we watched the 'regular' version instead. The theatre was so packed that Leah, Jen and I had to sit in different parts of the room. I was in the back row. I like superhero movies, and I had heard that this was the best one ever. I had also heard that the Joker performance was mind-blowing. I think I disagree with both claims. The movie was pretty good though - I think the best part was the writing of such an evil insane character (the Joker acting was good too, don't get me wrong).
Somehow, I think I might have enjoyed the Ironman and Hulk movies more... even though (because???) they took themselves less seriously. Also, every time Batman said anything, I wanted to laugh. The effects on his voice were more over-the-top than any insane clown posse.
On Saturday my uncle was in town, so Leah and I went out for dinner with him. It was great to see him, and to hear about what he, and my cousins, are up to.
On Sunday, we did laundry, and then went to church.
On Monday, we went to Cedarvale park for a picnic with Anne and Joel, and later Dan and Enoch showed up too. It was fun to sit around and do nothing. Afterwards, we watched Superman Returns at Anne and Joel's house. My weekend was bookended by Gotham and Metropolis. During the course of the movie, I managed to get a crazy headache, so we biked home and I took a shower and crashed.
Superman is by far the cheesiest of the superheroes! The movie was pretty sweet though.
On Friday, I got off work a little early. I went to a bookstore and a record store. I bought A Story Like The Wind, and Herman Dune's Not On Top. I've read the book before, so I know that it is a good one. The CD is typical Herman Dune - weirdly awesome. (sample chorus lyrics - I woke up in/Seven different cities/With the same stain/Of ketchup on my khakis... check out some tunes here and here.)
That night we braved the club district on Caribana weekend to try to see Batman in Imax. Unfortunately, it was sold out, so we watched the 'regular' version instead. The theatre was so packed that Leah, Jen and I had to sit in different parts of the room. I was in the back row. I like superhero movies, and I had heard that this was the best one ever. I had also heard that the Joker performance was mind-blowing. I think I disagree with both claims. The movie was pretty good though - I think the best part was the writing of such an evil insane character (the Joker acting was good too, don't get me wrong).
Somehow, I think I might have enjoyed the Ironman and Hulk movies more... even though (because???) they took themselves less seriously. Also, every time Batman said anything, I wanted to laugh. The effects on his voice were more over-the-top than any insane clown posse.
On Saturday my uncle was in town, so Leah and I went out for dinner with him. It was great to see him, and to hear about what he, and my cousins, are up to.
On Sunday, we did laundry, and then went to church.
On Monday, we went to Cedarvale park for a picnic with Anne and Joel, and later Dan and Enoch showed up too. It was fun to sit around and do nothing. Afterwards, we watched Superman Returns at Anne and Joel's house. My weekend was bookended by Gotham and Metropolis. During the course of the movie, I managed to get a crazy headache, so we biked home and I took a shower and crashed.
Superman is by far the cheesiest of the superheroes! The movie was pretty sweet though.
Friday, August 01, 2008
August 30
Last night we listened to the Their Shallow Valley CD master in Joel & Anne's car.
The CD is currently being duplicated, and should be ready in time for their tour, which starts on the 15th.
If you are in or near Toronto on the 30th, be sure to be at the Rivoli for the official CD release. This is also the closing show of the tour, and it is sure to be legendary.
The CD is currently being duplicated, and should be ready in time for their tour, which starts on the 15th.
If you are in or near Toronto on the 30th, be sure to be at the Rivoli for the official CD release. This is also the closing show of the tour, and it is sure to be legendary.
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