Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Monday, January 12, 2009
Weekend
On Saturday, I went to an epic elders' meeting for church.
That night we went to the Tranzac to see Hobson's Choice. It was uncomfortably rammed with people, and we only stayed for the first set.
On Sunday, I bought some pants and jeans. I ended up buying both at H&M. Sometimes it is just easier to buy something plain and cheap.
Leah went to church early, for practice, and I threw together a TSV flyer before heading to church myself.
Afterwards we got takeout Korean food.
That night we went to the Tranzac to see Hobson's Choice. It was uncomfortably rammed with people, and we only stayed for the first set.
On Sunday, I bought some pants and jeans. I ended up buying both at H&M. Sometimes it is just easier to buy something plain and cheap.
Leah went to church early, for practice, and I threw together a TSV flyer before heading to church myself.
Afterwards we got takeout Korean food.
Tuesday, January 06, 2009
Create a Blog - It's Free
Yesterday I called in sick to work.
I spent a good deal of the morning on the couch. Later in the afternoon I went to the walk-in clinic at Queen and Spadina. That place is sort of ghetto. I sat around waiting for a couple of hours, and eventually saw the doctor, who said exactly what I expected... it's the flu - do nothing.
Today I decided to come in to work. I pretty much feel ok, except I tend to get tired.
On Sunday, Jess Cantelon played music at church. He is the old-school worship leader from back in the day. It was kinda cool, and also kinda strange to see a lot of people show up that used to come to church...
Afterwards, we had dinner at the McGhee's, with the Cumbys.
I spent a good deal of the morning on the couch. Later in the afternoon I went to the walk-in clinic at Queen and Spadina. That place is sort of ghetto. I sat around waiting for a couple of hours, and eventually saw the doctor, who said exactly what I expected... it's the flu - do nothing.
Today I decided to come in to work. I pretty much feel ok, except I tend to get tired.
On Sunday, Jess Cantelon played music at church. He is the old-school worship leader from back in the day. It was kinda cool, and also kinda strange to see a lot of people show up that used to come to church...
Afterwards, we had dinner at the McGhee's, with the Cumbys.
Saturday, January 03, 2009
MerryChristmasHappyNewYear
Well... I ended up taking the last two days before Christmas as vacation. Leah and I went out to the airport on Christmas eve. It was a zoo - even the bus to the airport was crazy. After waiting in a line for around 2 hours, we discovered that our flight was upgraded from delayed to cancelled.
We kept hearing that all Halifax flights were full, and that our earliest next flight would be boxing day, if we were lucky. Eventually, I got super lucky, talked to the right person, and we ended up booked on a 6-something-am Christmas day flight.
We went home and set the alarm for 3-something. We got up and waited out for the late-night Bloor bus to the airport at 5 am. The bus never showed up!!! We got a different bus as far as Islington station, and then, after almost freezing whilst waiting some more, eventually took a cab to the airport.
Christmas in NS was good, despite the fact that I got the flu or something, and ended up in bed/on the couch for almost the whole time we were there. We played quite a bit of Mario 3, and watched the ends of a lot of movies that were on TV. It was good to see Leah's folks.
We made it back home at a minute or two before the new year. I have sort of continued to be in bed/on the couch since then, with short excursions. Leah is away today to play a Their Shallow Valley show in New Market.
We kept hearing that all Halifax flights were full, and that our earliest next flight would be boxing day, if we were lucky. Eventually, I got super lucky, talked to the right person, and we ended up booked on a 6-something-am Christmas day flight.
We went home and set the alarm for 3-something. We got up and waited out for the late-night Bloor bus to the airport at 5 am. The bus never showed up!!! We got a different bus as far as Islington station, and then, after almost freezing whilst waiting some more, eventually took a cab to the airport.
Christmas in NS was good, despite the fact that I got the flu or something, and ended up in bed/on the couch for almost the whole time we were there. We played quite a bit of Mario 3, and watched the ends of a lot of movies that were on TV. It was good to see Leah's folks.
We made it back home at a minute or two before the new year. I have sort of continued to be in bed/on the couch since then, with short excursions. Leah is away today to play a Their Shallow Valley show in New Market.
Monday, December 22, 2008
Weekend
Busy
Friday night was the work party. I was so freaking tired - the week was busy, and Thursday night was the TSV show at the Horseshoe. By the time Friday evening happened, I was ready to fall over. The party was pretty good, and then we went home pretty early.
Saturday, we went to the Eaton centre and bought some gloves for Leah. We went over to David and Jen's for dinner, and watched Bobby on their big TV.
On Sunday, we had church, which involved a big huge band... afterwards we went to the Woods for dinner.
I am ready for a holiday.
Friday night was the work party. I was so freaking tired - the week was busy, and Thursday night was the TSV show at the Horseshoe. By the time Friday evening happened, I was ready to fall over. The party was pretty good, and then we went home pretty early.
Saturday, we went to the Eaton centre and bought some gloves for Leah. We went over to David and Jen's for dinner, and watched Bobby on their big TV.
On Sunday, we had church, which involved a big huge band... afterwards we went to the Woods for dinner.
I am ready for a holiday.
Friday, December 19, 2008
Thursday, December 18, 2008
Horseshoe
Go to the Horseshoe tonight to see the Cavaliers CD release show. Their Shallow Valley will be one of the opening bands.
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
Movies
I finally watched a couple of movies that I've been wanting to see for ages.
Over the weekend we watched Old Joy. It stars the freaky-looking Bonnie 'Prince' Billy, and some other guy, in a movie about two guys that go camping with a dog. It is the kind of movie that I often like, where not much actually happens in terms of plot... Also, Yo La Tengo does the soundtrack. (Check out Junebug, if you want more BPB+YLT, although BPB is barely in that one.)
Last night, while Leah was at practice, I watched Everything's Gone Green. It wasn't bad - it was Coupland-for-the-movies, with some of the pointier edges smoothed off. In a lot of ways it was similar to J-Pod (the book - I haven't seen the show), with some shared plot points, but the lead characters at least recognized their loss of a moral foundation, and tried to move against that. I found J-Pod brutally amoral - and it had more of an impact for being so - but it was interesting to see a reintroduction of some moral conflict.
Over the weekend we watched Old Joy. It stars the freaky-looking Bonnie 'Prince' Billy, and some other guy, in a movie about two guys that go camping with a dog. It is the kind of movie that I often like, where not much actually happens in terms of plot... Also, Yo La Tengo does the soundtrack. (Check out Junebug, if you want more BPB+YLT, although BPB is barely in that one.)
Last night, while Leah was at practice, I watched Everything's Gone Green. It wasn't bad - it was Coupland-for-the-movies, with some of the pointier edges smoothed off. In a lot of ways it was similar to J-Pod (the book - I haven't seen the show), with some shared plot points, but the lead characters at least recognized their loss of a moral foundation, and tried to move against that. I found J-Pod brutally amoral - and it had more of an impact for being so - but it was interesting to see a reintroduction of some moral conflict.
Monday, December 15, 2008
Weekend
This blog should be called Trent's weekends.
On Friday night we had practice. I rented a recorder from L&M, so we were able to get some really rough copies of our songs. Afterwards we went to the Rex to see Don and Michael's new super-band.
On Saturday, we stopped by Miriam's Christmas Sale. She is raising money to go and work in Brazil, with Word Made Flesh. Leah took over some GGH Christmas CD's, and the band gave Miriam the profits of any sales.
That night we had Becca T over for dinner.
On Sunday, we went to Billy's for breakfast. After church, we went to the Bowser/Cumby house for dinner.
On Friday night we had practice. I rented a recorder from L&M, so we were able to get some really rough copies of our songs. Afterwards we went to the Rex to see Don and Michael's new super-band.
On Saturday, we stopped by Miriam's Christmas Sale. She is raising money to go and work in Brazil, with Word Made Flesh. Leah took over some GGH Christmas CD's, and the band gave Miriam the profits of any sales.
That night we had Becca T over for dinner.
On Sunday, we went to Billy's for breakfast. After church, we went to the Bowser/Cumby house for dinner.
Monday, December 08, 2008
weekend
Friday - we had practice. We really need some way to record our practices, so that we don't waste time trying to remember all the stuff we figured out the week before. Also, the future of the rehearsal space is possibly a little unsure, since the band we are sharing it with is likely disbanding. We shall see...
Saturday - I went to an elders' meeting. Afterwards I bought eggnog and made muffins, and then headed over to St John's Anglican church, where Leah and GGH were setting up for their Christmas concert.
Sunday - we went out for lunch, and then I went to FT for church. Leah skipped FT, and went to mass with Jen. Afterwards, I made carrot soup with purple carrots.
I also bought the Neil Young live at Massey Hall CD. It is good.
Saturday - I went to an elders' meeting. Afterwards I bought eggnog and made muffins, and then headed over to St John's Anglican church, where Leah and GGH were setting up for their Christmas concert.
Sunday - we went out for lunch, and then I went to FT for church. Leah skipped FT, and went to mass with Jen. Afterwards, I made carrot soup with purple carrots.
I also bought the Neil Young live at Massey Hall CD. It is good.
Monday, December 01, 2008
Weekend
On Friday night we went to practice, despite a desparate need to stay home and do other things (like laundry). On the way home, an extremely drunk guy asked us if we knew if there was a corner store nearby. His friend (there were about 5 drunk guys in total) then informed us, rather loudly, that the real question was whether we had bought Chinese Democracy yet.
On Saturday we helped Joel and Anne move. Afterwards we went to Tim and Kate's Christmas/Engagement party. Their Shallow Valley (4/5ths of which was moving all day) played a set, and then Glory Glory Hallelujah played a few Christmas songs too.
On Sunday morning, Leah went to play at the Anglican church with GGH. I managed to do epic quantities of laundry. I think I made 3 trips to the laundromat and back. When Leah got home, we went grocery shopping. When we reached the checkout counter we realized that the lid of a bottle of window cleaner had come unscrewed, and that a portion of our groceries, and our old-lady shopping cart, were soaked in soap. When we got home, I washed the groceries in the sink. Leah went to church for sound-check/practice, and I did the dishes.
After church, we went to Andrew and Esther's (and Joel and Anne's!) and ate sushi, whilst listening to GGH's Christmas CD...
Today, on my way to work, I reached the part in A Prayer for Owen Meany where Owen Meany devises a way for the narrator to avoid going to Vietnam. GROSS!
On Saturday we helped Joel and Anne move. Afterwards we went to Tim and Kate's Christmas/Engagement party. Their Shallow Valley (4/5ths of which was moving all day) played a set, and then Glory Glory Hallelujah played a few Christmas songs too.
On Sunday morning, Leah went to play at the Anglican church with GGH. I managed to do epic quantities of laundry. I think I made 3 trips to the laundromat and back. When Leah got home, we went grocery shopping. When we reached the checkout counter we realized that the lid of a bottle of window cleaner had come unscrewed, and that a portion of our groceries, and our old-lady shopping cart, were soaked in soap. When we got home, I washed the groceries in the sink. Leah went to church for sound-check/practice, and I did the dishes.
After church, we went to Andrew and Esther's (and Joel and Anne's!) and ate sushi, whilst listening to GGH's Christmas CD...
Today, on my way to work, I reached the part in A Prayer for Owen Meany where Owen Meany devises a way for the narrator to avoid going to Vietnam. GROSS!
Thursday, November 27, 2008
Neil Young
If you (or your employer) has the bandwidth, check out this live concert recording from 1968...
We have Harvest, and we have the Decade double album... and I have been listening to them quite a bit recently. Perhaps I will have to get some more Neil for Christmas.
We have Harvest, and we have the Decade double album... and I have been listening to them quite a bit recently. Perhaps I will have to get some more Neil for Christmas.
Happy Thanksgiving
Last night I went to the AGO - it is free on Wednesdays.
I wanted to see the newly unveiled Frank Gehry renovation. Overall, I think it is well done - it is sort of the opposite of the ROM. Fairly reserved - well thought out - and I found the new galley spaces way less annoying than the labyrinthine older galleries are.
Also - I saw some pretty cool art. There was a FREAKY sculpture by Evan Penny - I can't find a picture of it online - it is an astonishingly realistic bust, but stretched out vertically to an alarming aspect ratio. It is really crazy.
There was also a huge cube sculpture covered in iron filings, by Mona Hatoum. The filings make visible the magnetic field formed by a whole bunch of covered magnets. The thing looks furry and rippled, and is almost impossible to not touch.
Lastly, in that big windshield of a space along Dundas street, there were huge vertical sculptures by Giuseppe Penone. These consited mostly of huge pieces of wood, with portions carved down to the size and shape of the tree at some point in its past life. They are amazing - check out some pics...
I wanted to see the newly unveiled Frank Gehry renovation. Overall, I think it is well done - it is sort of the opposite of the ROM. Fairly reserved - well thought out - and I found the new galley spaces way less annoying than the labyrinthine older galleries are.
Also - I saw some pretty cool art. There was a FREAKY sculpture by Evan Penny - I can't find a picture of it online - it is an astonishingly realistic bust, but stretched out vertically to an alarming aspect ratio. It is really crazy.
There was also a huge cube sculpture covered in iron filings, by Mona Hatoum. The filings make visible the magnetic field formed by a whole bunch of covered magnets. The thing looks furry and rippled, and is almost impossible to not touch.
Lastly, in that big windshield of a space along Dundas street, there were huge vertical sculptures by Giuseppe Penone. These consited mostly of huge pieces of wood, with portions carved down to the size and shape of the tree at some point in its past life. They are amazing - check out some pics...
Monday, November 24, 2008
The weekend
I am surprised that I have kept up doing the old weekend update blog for so long...
This weekend had us practicing Friday night - we had an almost 4 hour rehearsal, which was good.
On Saturday, we went to the FT leaders meeting/day. We showed up late, skipping the pot-luck lunch part...
Afterwards we went to Andrew and Esther's to record a couple of parts for a Christmas CD.
On Sunday - I went to the Common in the morning. I was halfway home when I realized that I hadn't paid for my coffee and shortbread, so I had to walk back.
I went to get a haircut before church. I ended up running sound, since there was no sound guy. Marty had managed to figure out enough for the band to get through sound-check/rehearsal, and it ended up being a pretty easy job.
After church we went to Andrew and Esther's (again!) with a whole bunch of people, for a pot-luck dinner and game-playing.
The end.
This weekend had us practicing Friday night - we had an almost 4 hour rehearsal, which was good.
On Saturday, we went to the FT leaders meeting/day. We showed up late, skipping the pot-luck lunch part...
Afterwards we went to Andrew and Esther's to record a couple of parts for a Christmas CD.
On Sunday - I went to the Common in the morning. I was halfway home when I realized that I hadn't paid for my coffee and shortbread, so I had to walk back.
I went to get a haircut before church. I ended up running sound, since there was no sound guy. Marty had managed to figure out enough for the band to get through sound-check/rehearsal, and it ended up being a pretty easy job.
After church we went to Andrew and Esther's (again!) with a whole bunch of people, for a pot-luck dinner and game-playing.
The end.
Monday, November 17, 2008
Weekend Update
On Friday, Brad came out to the rehearsal space with us and played bass. It was fun, and useful to have a new set of ears listening to a couple of our songs. We have a lot of work to do...
On Saturday, I went to the (first ever???) FT men's seminar. It took up the bulk of the day. That evening, we bummed a ride out to the 'Sauga for Cyril's birthday party. We ended up staying pretty late (after a bunch of people left, we stuck around and watched B-Boy Nation).
fun fact - the previous owner of the house that Cyril and Mae bought was the guitar player for Megadeath.
Sunday was kind of a write-off. We tried to sleep-in (I pretty much have to fight to NOT wake up before 8), and then were pretty tired all day. Leah played music at church. Afterwards, we went to Anne and Joel's for a pot-luck dinner, but didn't stay super long.
Last night we had a really crappy sleep, so I am TIRED today.
On Saturday, I went to the (first ever???) FT men's seminar. It took up the bulk of the day. That evening, we bummed a ride out to the 'Sauga for Cyril's birthday party. We ended up staying pretty late (after a bunch of people left, we stuck around and watched B-Boy Nation).
fun fact - the previous owner of the house that Cyril and Mae bought was the guitar player for Megadeath.
Sunday was kind of a write-off. We tried to sleep-in (I pretty much have to fight to NOT wake up before 8), and then were pretty tired all day. Leah played music at church. Afterwards, we went to Anne and Joel's for a pot-luck dinner, but didn't stay super long.
Last night we had a really crappy sleep, so I am TIRED today.
Monday, November 10, 2008
Weekend
Friday night was practice.
On Saturday, Leah and I walked along Queen street from Roncesvales to Ossington. We went into a few antique stores and art galleries, and ended up having lunch in a small cafe.
That evening we went to see Changeling with Brad and Sarah. My recommendation would be that you do not watch this movie. I don't understand the fairly positive reviews this one got. (I didn't understand what was supposed to be good about Mystic River either). Clint Eastwood seems to be mistaken for a good filmmaker simply by telling miserable/horrible stories. And then, in this case, cranking up the drama as much as possible. I actually threw my hands up on multiple occasions. I suppose I shouldn't go to see a Clint Eastwood movie if I want subtlety and nuance. Or good storytelling. Or anything other than badass tough guys.
I don't understand how the same guy made A Perfect World.
On Sunday - I cooked a whole bunch of food, and then a whole bunch of people came over for dinner after church.
On Saturday, Leah and I walked along Queen street from Roncesvales to Ossington. We went into a few antique stores and art galleries, and ended up having lunch in a small cafe.
That evening we went to see Changeling with Brad and Sarah. My recommendation would be that you do not watch this movie. I don't understand the fairly positive reviews this one got. (I didn't understand what was supposed to be good about Mystic River either). Clint Eastwood seems to be mistaken for a good filmmaker simply by telling miserable/horrible stories. And then, in this case, cranking up the drama as much as possible. I actually threw my hands up on multiple occasions. I suppose I shouldn't go to see a Clint Eastwood movie if I want subtlety and nuance. Or good storytelling. Or anything other than badass tough guys.
I don't understand how the same guy made A Perfect World.
On Sunday - I cooked a whole bunch of food, and then a whole bunch of people came over for dinner after church.
Tuesday, November 04, 2008
SP
Last night Leah and I went to the first of two Smashing Pumpkins shows at Massey Hall. Despite the venue being a bit weird for such an event, and our somewhat odd vantage point from the side balcony, it was a pretty great show.
The band only played a few of their huge hits - saving the rest for tonight's show, I suppose. They did take the opportunity for some long-form guitar/pedal/feedback numbers, which were pretty great, and some almost Canada-Arts-Council ambient noise (guitar/pedal/feedback) sessions too.
Embarrassingly, some of the audience was a little less receptive to these pretty freaking cool sections, and there were some embarrassing moments of idiots yelling things like, 'Play a song'. For the rest of the time, they seemed mostly satisfied with the full on onslaught of noise and volume.
Monday, November 03, 2008
Halloweekendupdate
Leah and I pretty much skipped Halloween for band practice.
On Saturday we went to a wedding, and then watched Bladerunner until Leah fell asleep.
On Sunday Leah played music in the morning at the Anglican church. I did laundry and then went to non-Anglican church early to help set things up. I also ran sound - which was hard work as usual, but I was pretty pleased with how things went.
Afterwards, we finished watching Bladerunner - that movie is pretty freaking good.
I also managed to find some almost-at-cost tickets on Craigslist to the sold-out Smashing Pumpkins show tonight. I never knew the huge number of idiots who try to make a killing off of selling tickets on Craigslist for WAY more than they paid for them...
On Saturday we went to a wedding, and then watched Bladerunner until Leah fell asleep.
On Sunday Leah played music in the morning at the Anglican church. I did laundry and then went to non-Anglican church early to help set things up. I also ran sound - which was hard work as usual, but I was pretty pleased with how things went.
Afterwards, we finished watching Bladerunner - that movie is pretty freaking good.
I also managed to find some almost-at-cost tickets on Craigslist to the sold-out Smashing Pumpkins show tonight. I never knew the huge number of idiots who try to make a killing off of selling tickets on Craigslist for WAY more than they paid for them...
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)