Tuesday, March 11th, 2003
I got a shiny new fifty-cent coin in my change today. I haven’t had one of these in years. At first, I thought it was a toonie since it’s almost exactly the same size. And then I realized that the person who gave me the change, I’m not sure where I got it, may have thought the same thing and screwed me out of $1.50. I’d be more upset, but it’s so shiny… so very shiny…
I got my Idlewild and Mark Gardener tickets today. My Idlewild is ticket #1! Yes, I am so dorky that that makes me happy.
So the Leafs picked up Doug Gilmour and Phil Housley at the trade deadline. We are now so old, so very old. I’ll be able to hear the creaking of their joints all the way up Bay St.
Some random links for your entertainment and edification. The good, the bad, and the ugly.
np – Calla / Televise
Tuesday, March 11th, 2003
Today’s routine:
1) Go to TSN’s NHL trade deadline page.
2) Click refresh.
3) Go to 2)
There’s nothing I like more than getting to the subway station and seeing a queue coming from the platform, up the stairs and into the station, especially coupled with a stream of people coming up from the platform lasting at least a few minutes. Know what folks? If they’re emptying the subway car, it’s probably NOT to let us on.
The Uncle Tupelo reissues are out today, and from the online shops, they appear to be pretty expensive (except Anodyne). The only thing better than being compelled to buy CDs I already have is being hosed in the process.
np – The Soft Boys / Underwater Moonlight
Monday, March 10th, 2003
Haven’t made a post all day. Been busy busy busy with work, and rehearsal, and being really tired all the while. And anyway, there’s not much to say.
Here’s a pic of my new guitar, the modifications of which have been such a fixation for me the last while. Isn’t it pretty? Never mind the fingerprints all over it. It’s a Fender Nashville Deluxe Telecaster, though with all the changes I’ve made to it, I’d prefer to call it my Memphis Telecaster. It’s fat like Elvis.
I had feared that I lost my engineering decoder ring last week during rehearsal, perhaps in a particularly enthusiastic bout of rocking out. It would have been fittingly symbolic for the last vestige of my past engineering life to become a casualty of rock and roll. But it turns out it just fell out of my shirt pocket and was caught underneath a keyboard. I have it back now.
np – Emmylou Harris / Wrecking Ball
Sunday, March 9th, 2003
Went and caught the CD release show for The Hidden Cameras last night at the Bloor Street United Church – an unusual venue for a show, but perfectly suited. I’ve had Brad and 517 preaching the Cameras gospel to me for nigh on a year now, but had never gotten around to checking out one of their live spectacles until now, and I’m happy to say that the praise is totally deserved. The Cameras put on an energetic and infectious show – I mean, when there’s over 20 people on stage jumping around like they’re having the best time of their lives, how can you not want to get in the game?
As you’d expect in a church, the acoustics were terrific and the band took advantage by playing the first three songs totally unamplified. The crowd was obligingly silent, letting the nuances of the acoustic guitar, violin, cello and voices hang in the air – a very effective opening. Then the rest of the band poured onstage and it was glorious pandemonium. Particularly refreshing was the crowd – despite this being a pretty hyped-up show, the crowd was refreshingly hipster-free. Most everyone in attendance seemed to really be there to enjoy the show, and not just be seen or whatever. With their new album The Smell Of Our Own getting its worldwide release on the legendary Rough Trade records next month, it will be interesting to see how the Cameras maintain the inclusive love-in atmosphere as they play outside their hometown where folks may not quite ‘get it’. But good luck to them regardless.
np – The Mountain Goats / Tallahassee
Saturday, March 8th, 2003
Quick summary of the day. Went back to Oakville in the morning to pick up tax junk from the parentals’ place. Was asked by my dad to hook up his A/V receiver, despite the fact that he doesn’t use the speakers. I just plugged it in and left it as is. Went for a little driving tour of the old hood with Kyle. They’ve torn down one of the malls and replaced it with one of those big box complexes. The world I grewed up in is gone.
Went for a quick sweep of the Annex, came out with Calla’s Televise (found used – in your face Kyle!), The Chameleons’ Live In Toronto, The Very Best Of Otis Redding and Jeff Tweedy’s Chelsea Walls soundtrack. Not a bad haul.
I also finally picked up the new guitar neck and got that installed. Took a little more doing than I anticipated to get it set up – it was adjusted pretty different from my old neck. I will post a pic of the final result tomorrow.
Going to see the Hidden Cameras tonight after watching the first period of Owen Nolan’s debut as a Leaf.
np – Calla / Televise
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