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.
Monday, December 15, 2008
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...
Friday, October 31, 2008
Some things I forgot to mention
Re: the election
My previously stated reasons for voting democrat failed to mention perhaps the most important one. This is a less definable overall need for change in the USA. Obama has been branding himself as the candidate of HOPE - and for all the vagueness of the assertion, I think it identifies a real need. This is a little difficult to guage, living outside of the country (there is definitely a desire for change in the USA from this side of the border).
But I do think that there is certainly a place for HOPE and a place for dreams - and it seems like at this particular point in time, a healthy dose of optimism is necessary. I think people are waiting to see if America can change for the better - and I think we have a candidate who is calling for such change. Whether he can deliver on any of his claims remains to be seen, but this doesn't take away the need to believe that we CAN change.
Anyway - enough about that. Remember to vote.
Re: a movie we watched
Don't Come Knocking is a pretty cool movie. It is sort of a bit of a western... about a washed up cowboy actor who finds out that he has a son. It is the kind of movie that I really like - character driven, with not a whole lot of action, and a somewhat stylized treatment of characters and photography.
And the soundtrack is kinda cool.
And Sarah Polly is in it.
My previously stated reasons for voting democrat failed to mention perhaps the most important one. This is a less definable overall need for change in the USA. Obama has been branding himself as the candidate of HOPE - and for all the vagueness of the assertion, I think it identifies a real need. This is a little difficult to guage, living outside of the country (there is definitely a desire for change in the USA from this side of the border).
But I do think that there is certainly a place for HOPE and a place for dreams - and it seems like at this particular point in time, a healthy dose of optimism is necessary. I think people are waiting to see if America can change for the better - and I think we have a candidate who is calling for such change. Whether he can deliver on any of his claims remains to be seen, but this doesn't take away the need to believe that we CAN change.
Anyway - enough about that. Remember to vote.
Re: a movie we watched
Don't Come Knocking is a pretty cool movie. It is sort of a bit of a western... about a washed up cowboy actor who finds out that he has a son. It is the kind of movie that I really like - character driven, with not a whole lot of action, and a somewhat stylized treatment of characters and photography.
And the soundtrack is kinda cool.
And Sarah Polly is in it.
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Lunchtime
Today at lunch I mailed my absentee ballot. As mentioned before, it is my first time voting. I am generally not eligible to vote where I live, and this is the first time I applied early enough for my ballot to come to me.
I am pretty ignorant when it comes to politics, so voting for somebody to lead 300+ million people is sort of scary. Here are some things that I do know:
Denying the human rights of enemies and suspected enemies of the USA is extremely worrisome. It is unAmerican, and violates rights protected in the constitution. Rights which we believe to be unalienable and god-given should surely be granted to all people (of all nations) even if there is a chance that it compromises national security. Otherwise we could, for example, have rounded up Japanese americans and held them in camps during WWII, on the grounds that they might be a threat. (Oh yeah, we did that too... but that doesn't make it OK.)
Healthcare in our country is ridiculous. Having seen the system in Canada, I can assure you that it is better - even with the higher taxes. When people make decisions about whether or not they will see a doctor based on whether or not they can afford to, then something is wrong.
A hands off approach to the economy seems a bit dodgy. I don't know much about economics, but I don't trust humans enough to do the right thing without regulation. If left to our own devices, greed would have us borrowing irresponsibly, lending irresponsibly, and the freedom of the market would lead us all into a big economic crisis. Hypothetically, of course.
Anyway - like I said, I'm not an expert, so I feel a little unqualified to be chosing a leader. That being said, I still think you should vote for Obama.
Also at lunch, I bought the new Mt Eerie CD (featuring Julie Doiron - hooray), to which I will now listen.
I am pretty ignorant when it comes to politics, so voting for somebody to lead 300+ million people is sort of scary. Here are some things that I do know:
Denying the human rights of enemies and suspected enemies of the USA is extremely worrisome. It is unAmerican, and violates rights protected in the constitution. Rights which we believe to be unalienable and god-given should surely be granted to all people (of all nations) even if there is a chance that it compromises national security. Otherwise we could, for example, have rounded up Japanese americans and held them in camps during WWII, on the grounds that they might be a threat. (Oh yeah, we did that too... but that doesn't make it OK.)
Healthcare in our country is ridiculous. Having seen the system in Canada, I can assure you that it is better - even with the higher taxes. When people make decisions about whether or not they will see a doctor based on whether or not they can afford to, then something is wrong.
A hands off approach to the economy seems a bit dodgy. I don't know much about economics, but I don't trust humans enough to do the right thing without regulation. If left to our own devices, greed would have us borrowing irresponsibly, lending irresponsibly, and the freedom of the market would lead us all into a big economic crisis. Hypothetically, of course.
Anyway - like I said, I'm not an expert, so I feel a little unqualified to be chosing a leader. That being said, I still think you should vote for Obama.
Also at lunch, I bought the new Mt Eerie CD (featuring Julie Doiron - hooray), to which I will now listen.
Monday, October 27, 2008
Weekend
Friday:
Leah and I headed to the rehearsal studio for a good 3-4 hour practice.
Saturday:
We went over to the Kelly's for brunch. It was fun.
That evening, Jen came over for dinner and then we headed to a party at the Bowser-Huang residence. There were 4 floors of party, with the most popular being the giant projected rock-band floor. That game is ridiculous.
Sunday:
We did loads of laundry in the morning.
After church we went to David and Jen's for dinner. Their lizard is steadily growing.
Leah and I headed to the rehearsal studio for a good 3-4 hour practice.
Saturday:
We went over to the Kelly's for brunch. It was fun.
That evening, Jen came over for dinner and then we headed to a party at the Bowser-Huang residence. There were 4 floors of party, with the most popular being the giant projected rock-band floor. That game is ridiculous.
Sunday:
We did loads of laundry in the morning.
After church we went to David and Jen's for dinner. Their lizard is steadily growing.
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Obama Mix 2
I posted this Obama mix a while back...
If you want more Obama themed tunes, check out the Yes We Can Mixtape [Sendspace]
Monday, October 20, 2008
Week Update
I spent last week on vacation - but stayed in T.O.
Highlights:
My parents visited from Thursday to Sunday.
We ate a couple of Thanksgiving meals to kick off the week.
We went to Hamilton for an afternoon.
Today I am back at work - and I left my headphones at home... =(
Highlights:
My parents visited from Thursday to Sunday.
We ate a couple of Thanksgiving meals to kick off the week.
We went to Hamilton for an afternoon.
Today I am back at work - and I left my headphones at home... =(
Friday, October 10, 2008
Party for Change
If you've got the bandwidth, check out this Probama dj-mix.
I tend to be pretty politically ignorant. This is perhaps partly due to the fact that I've never lived anywhere where I could legally vote (I have legally paid taxes a lot though!)
To be honest, it probably has more to do with ignorance and laziness. I did make the effort to register to vote from abroad this time around.
Anyway - what prompted this (unusual for me) post about politics was a message on my church bulletin board linking to a YouTube clip (which, to be honest, I didn't bother watching) about how Obama supports letting babies die. I responded with a link to an Obama interview where he talks about this exact bill...
So - I figured I'd link to that interview here too...
I tend to be pretty politically ignorant. This is perhaps partly due to the fact that I've never lived anywhere where I could legally vote (I have legally paid taxes a lot though!)
To be honest, it probably has more to do with ignorance and laziness. I did make the effort to register to vote from abroad this time around.
Anyway - what prompted this (unusual for me) post about politics was a message on my church bulletin board linking to a YouTube clip (which, to be honest, I didn't bother watching) about how Obama supports letting babies die. I responded with a link to an Obama interview where he talks about this exact bill...
So - I figured I'd link to that interview here too...
Tuesday, October 07, 2008
Moonlight Shadow
For the last week I have been taking transit to work. The back tire on my bike needs a new tube, and I haven't had a chance to replace it. Also, the weather has gotten colder, so my motivation to get the thing fixed is waning.
As I was rushing out of the house this morning, I stopped to grab a book from the bookshelf. I didn't have anything in mind, and ended up with Banana Yoshimoto's Kitchen. This book is on my list of titles that I have read, and will read, over and over again.
I started with the short novella in the back, Moonlight Shadow, and I finished it at lunchtime. This story makes me want to make films. Actually, not films in general - it makes me want to remake this story in film. Yoshimoto translates feeling into hues and images, and translates those into written words. I can only imagine that reading her stories in the original Kanji is even more magical.
Monday, October 06, 2008
busy weekend
On Friday, Kate and Tim came over for dinner. Afterwards, we went to see Laura sing in the semi-finals of a bizarro Gospel Idol type TV show. The mash-up of church and contest show was completely ridiculous (not in a good way), but is was cool to see Laura do her thing (very well).
Afterwards, we were able to stop by the rehearsal studio and play music for about an hour.
On Saturday, we went to pick up a rental car, and then drove with David and Jen out to the Niagara region for Karl and Nicole's wedding. They were married in the back yard of a BIG house, with vineyards in the background. The ceremony was great, if a bit cold, and the reception (in a huge heated tent) was super fun. Justin DJ'd for hours, and I think the party went a bit longer than the parents expected...
We got home around 3am, and didn't feel up to going out to Nuit Blanche.
On Sunday, we had to get up around 9 to take the car back. Afterwards, we went to Mars for breakfast. Anne and Joel picked Leah (and her amp) up for church... They also came over for dinner afterwards.
Afterwards, we were able to stop by the rehearsal studio and play music for about an hour.
On Saturday, we went to pick up a rental car, and then drove with David and Jen out to the Niagara region for Karl and Nicole's wedding. They were married in the back yard of a BIG house, with vineyards in the background. The ceremony was great, if a bit cold, and the reception (in a huge heated tent) was super fun. Justin DJ'd for hours, and I think the party went a bit longer than the parents expected...
We got home around 3am, and didn't feel up to going out to Nuit Blanche.
On Sunday, we had to get up around 9 to take the car back. Afterwards, we went to Mars for breakfast. Anne and Joel picked Leah (and her amp) up for church... They also came over for dinner afterwards.
Thursday, October 02, 2008
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