Well, December is here. Snow, freezing rain, tacky lights and music, everything one could want!
Ah, it's not that bad. I'm just grumpy because I threw my back out and have to shovel.
Barry White is enjoying life as a playful eunich and Rumble and he race around the house like demon spawn.
The studio projects of Charity Brown and Andrew Butcher are both doing well.
Live music continues to be weekly.
Lots of socializations.
School is busy and as f#cked up as usual. The kids are great. Most of the adults are inept.
All in all, all is well. The usual...lol...
Cheers and have a fun holiday season!
Don
Sunday, December 02, 2007
Thursday, November 01, 2007
Barry White is in the HOUSE!!!
So, Rumble was lonely by himself, and now he now has a playmate - a kitten who was saved (choked, a little sick) in North Halton. He's full of love, skinny and white, so Barry White seems like a somewhat apt name. Here's some pics of the little guy!
Nod
Wednesday, October 24, 2007
Hallowe'en Approaches
I know, it's been a while. Here's the update.
To recap the last month, our fearless Warrior, aptly named Nod the Fearless, played for a drunken hockey team in Elmira at the town's aptly named Central Tavern. These guys ordered drinks by the bakers dozen - it was a 'light' night they claimed - and asked for 'Every Rose has It's Thorn' many, many times. They fought the bouncers at the end of the night, but were not in very good shape for walking, let alone pugilism. Not that Nod the Fearless wasn't ready...
The Charity Brown studio project chugs along in starts and stops. Has potential! Andy Macpherson of Panhandlers fame and Sean O'Brian played a private show with Nod south west of the tri-city area.
Nod the Educator took students to both Shaw and Stratford to see 'Hotel Peccadillo' and 'Oklahoma' (not staring his ex), respectively. His guru and Irish Yoda-like pal Keaner lead the play-going pilgrims.
The Duke was a blast, as usual, at the end of September. Kevin Coates unfortunately has given Duke gigs in October and December to the worthy, but usurping, Carter Lancaster, guitar playing god. But Good God Carter fears to tread the student-overrun hall named after she known as Molly Bloom. Unfortunate, for him, for wild, bacchanalian times abound in this den of inequity.
Christian Gundlack's band Zopiclone rocked London. I highly recommend them to lovers of independent rock music.
Into October, our Mighty Warrior opened up for the viking hord of Dutchmen known as Abnormal - one of the Neatherland's top bands - in Woodstock. Great masses of Dutch Farmers armed with overalls and beer swarmed the feasthall. While it was a misadventure, organizationally, the short set in overheated conditions was still pretty damn good. Nod then braved the stage rushing crowds of the Rockton World's Fair (both with Alysha Brooke). Okay, the pie eating contest is what they stormed the stage for, but Mighty Nod did not run. Well, he walked off the stage to eat a slice of pizza.
Thanksgiving at the cottage was a blast. Dave and Regina put up a mighty feast for the Mighty Nod and his parental units. Weather was good. The nephew's Simpsons video game was great. The next weekend Regina and the uber-progeny came down to K-dub. I played the Friday, but Rumble kept an eye on them.
Which brings brings me to the last glorious weekend. Our mighty hero found himself transported through a mysterious portal back to July and the glorious Sun God shone down to the delight of many. A hike on the Bruce Trail and a little deck time at Donsholm and the Boathouse rounded out the last month amicably.
To come, Nod's triumphant return to the Western Fair Grounds in London and of course the most glorious pagan celebration of the year, All Hallow's Eve.
May the spirits of the dead be nice to you all! Maybe they're happy were they live the other 360-odd days a year...
Nod
To recap the last month, our fearless Warrior, aptly named Nod the Fearless, played for a drunken hockey team in Elmira at the town's aptly named Central Tavern. These guys ordered drinks by the bakers dozen - it was a 'light' night they claimed - and asked for 'Every Rose has It's Thorn' many, many times. They fought the bouncers at the end of the night, but were not in very good shape for walking, let alone pugilism. Not that Nod the Fearless wasn't ready...
The Charity Brown studio project chugs along in starts and stops. Has potential! Andy Macpherson of Panhandlers fame and Sean O'Brian played a private show with Nod south west of the tri-city area.
Nod the Educator took students to both Shaw and Stratford to see 'Hotel Peccadillo' and 'Oklahoma' (not staring his ex), respectively. His guru and Irish Yoda-like pal Keaner lead the play-going pilgrims.
The Duke was a blast, as usual, at the end of September. Kevin Coates unfortunately has given Duke gigs in October and December to the worthy, but usurping, Carter Lancaster, guitar playing god. But Good God Carter fears to tread the student-overrun hall named after she known as Molly Bloom. Unfortunate, for him, for wild, bacchanalian times abound in this den of inequity.
Christian Gundlack's band Zopiclone rocked London. I highly recommend them to lovers of independent rock music.
Into October, our Mighty Warrior opened up for the viking hord of Dutchmen known as Abnormal - one of the Neatherland's top bands - in Woodstock. Great masses of Dutch Farmers armed with overalls and beer swarmed the feasthall. While it was a misadventure, organizationally, the short set in overheated conditions was still pretty damn good. Nod then braved the stage rushing crowds of the Rockton World's Fair (both with Alysha Brooke). Okay, the pie eating contest is what they stormed the stage for, but Mighty Nod did not run. Well, he walked off the stage to eat a slice of pizza.
Thanksgiving at the cottage was a blast. Dave and Regina put up a mighty feast for the Mighty Nod and his parental units. Weather was good. The nephew's Simpsons video game was great. The next weekend Regina and the uber-progeny came down to K-dub. I played the Friday, but Rumble kept an eye on them.
Which brings brings me to the last glorious weekend. Our mighty hero found himself transported through a mysterious portal back to July and the glorious Sun God shone down to the delight of many. A hike on the Bruce Trail and a little deck time at Donsholm and the Boathouse rounded out the last month amicably.
To come, Nod's triumphant return to the Western Fair Grounds in London and of course the most glorious pagan celebration of the year, All Hallow's Eve.
May the spirits of the dead be nice to you all! Maybe they're happy were they live the other 360-odd days a year...
Nod
Tuesday, September 18, 2007
Dog Days
Finally an update...
September...yuch. Well, it's not that bad, just busy.
Since I last blogged, school has started smoothly. About 70 grade 12 University-hopeful students and 20 'sweathogs' grace my door daily. The funk on hot days has been complained about as being an invisible presence of palpable odour on a few occassions (though I did lecture about hygene on day one). I won't go into one of my usual education rants...yet...
Musically, Kevin and I sweat many proverbial body parts off at the Fox & Fiddle. I'm still not sure if the AC was broken or the owner too cheap to run it. It was still packed with sweaty, dancing students - and again, not a nice smell. Played for some lovely farmers in Woodstock during the last week with the Alysha Brooke band. My buddies in Settlers Creek played the Stampede Corral around the corner, so I caught a bit of their show last week, too. Molly Bloom's Waterloo had a good crowd on Friday and the Acton Fall Fair was typical on Sunday - the power went off a few times in their brand new arena - go figure. Acton.
I just signed on to do some studio and live work with local Kitchener celeb and multi-Juno nominee Charity Brown, so being busy will continue unabated. I'm perhaps too busy now, but couldn't turn this one down.
Some time for pleasant company and socializing, but not enough....ever enough?
That's the word from the trenches. Time to go rehearse.
Nod
September...yuch. Well, it's not that bad, just busy.
Since I last blogged, school has started smoothly. About 70 grade 12 University-hopeful students and 20 'sweathogs' grace my door daily. The funk on hot days has been complained about as being an invisible presence of palpable odour on a few occassions (though I did lecture about hygene on day one). I won't go into one of my usual education rants...yet...
Musically, Kevin and I sweat many proverbial body parts off at the Fox & Fiddle. I'm still not sure if the AC was broken or the owner too cheap to run it. It was still packed with sweaty, dancing students - and again, not a nice smell. Played for some lovely farmers in Woodstock during the last week with the Alysha Brooke band. My buddies in Settlers Creek played the Stampede Corral around the corner, so I caught a bit of their show last week, too. Molly Bloom's Waterloo had a good crowd on Friday and the Acton Fall Fair was typical on Sunday - the power went off a few times in their brand new arena - go figure. Acton.
I just signed on to do some studio and live work with local Kitchener celeb and multi-Juno nominee Charity Brown, so being busy will continue unabated. I'm perhaps too busy now, but couldn't turn this one down.
Some time for pleasant company and socializing, but not enough....ever enough?
That's the word from the trenches. Time to go rehearse.
Nod
Monday, September 03, 2007
Summer wanes
Ahhh...heavy sigh...summer draws to a close. School bells and cool nights. Shorter days and fuller days. Mourning married with new expectations. But I wax philosophic...
The Isle of Nod has been a busy place of late. But I look on my list of things to do before the end of summer, and I'm falling woefully short. Procrastination and socializing has made the last couple of weeks fun and relaxing before the onslaught of September fully kicks in. I've got to hang out with great friends old and new this summer.
Ed Paton and I have the ball rolling on our t-shirt business idea, so I have some art work to do in the next weeks. Eddie's project "Redux" are preparing to release their second CD - http://www.reduxrmx.com/
School starts tomorrow. I have a class of 40 large grade 12 bodies in my last period, unairconditioned class which makes me a) hope for cool weather, b) hope their hygiene levels are good (I'm thinking that that might be one of the themes of Tuesday's lecture) and, c) want to go out and buy a large quantity of air fresheners. Unfortunately, I only have 34 desks and chairs, so that could be interesting.
Music kicks in locally on Friday as Kevin Coates and I welcome back the university students at the Fox & Fiddle in Waterloo. Should be fun just 'people watching' from the stage.
The Alysha Brooke band played the Country Classic horse competition on Saturday sans lead guitar. More bass solos than should really be allowed transpired, but I had fun.
My folks are cleaning out their house to potentially sell it - which means there are lots of new boxes springing up around my house and strange, arcane memorabilia from my past (most of which is basically old crap) littering my halls. Time to go put some more of it away.
That's the Isle of Nod's farewell to summer post...Summer of '07, you were a temperamental beast, but I will remember you fondly.
NOD
The Isle of Nod has been a busy place of late. But I look on my list of things to do before the end of summer, and I'm falling woefully short. Procrastination and socializing has made the last couple of weeks fun and relaxing before the onslaught of September fully kicks in. I've got to hang out with great friends old and new this summer.
Ed Paton and I have the ball rolling on our t-shirt business idea, so I have some art work to do in the next weeks. Eddie's project "Redux" are preparing to release their second CD - http://www.reduxrmx.com/
School starts tomorrow. I have a class of 40 large grade 12 bodies in my last period, unairconditioned class which makes me a) hope for cool weather, b) hope their hygiene levels are good (I'm thinking that that might be one of the themes of Tuesday's lecture) and, c) want to go out and buy a large quantity of air fresheners. Unfortunately, I only have 34 desks and chairs, so that could be interesting.
Music kicks in locally on Friday as Kevin Coates and I welcome back the university students at the Fox & Fiddle in Waterloo. Should be fun just 'people watching' from the stage.
The Alysha Brooke band played the Country Classic horse competition on Saturday sans lead guitar. More bass solos than should really be allowed transpired, but I had fun.
My folks are cleaning out their house to potentially sell it - which means there are lots of new boxes springing up around my house and strange, arcane memorabilia from my past (most of which is basically old crap) littering my halls. Time to go put some more of it away.
That's the Isle of Nod's farewell to summer post...Summer of '07, you were a temperamental beast, but I will remember you fondly.
NOD
Monday, August 13, 2007
Cottaging and Bluesfest
Here's the update for this hot stretch of August.
When we last left our hero...erm...I mean, since last post, my buddy Lane Burman had a birthday and we spent the afternoon smoking fish (no, that's not a metaphor), swimming, and enjoying some party treats. Twas a fine day and evening! Then my old pals Kevin and Melia dropped in (see pic below).
Part way through the long weekend I headed up to the cottage. Had fun with the family beaching it, kayaking, etc. My friend Luke Rogerson (gtr with Alysha Brooke Band) was cottaging with his wife and wife's family at Wasega at the same time so we did some narly (does anyone say that any more?) wave riding in some pretty high waves and capsized a few times. We hit a bar to check out a jam and a drummer we both know walked in out of nowhere...strange night indeed.
This weekend was the Kitchener Blues Fest - an event not to be missed! I saw many fine acts, including Jeff Healy, with my old friend Dave Murphy and his band as backup. Kevin Coates snuck out to hang out for that one. Shawn Kellerman was good on Friday night. Met some really cool new people - beautiful. On Sunday, I was having a beer with some friends at the Boathouse when the expected band didn't show up. So James, Doug and I grabbed some instruments and - totally unrehearsed - filled in. The first set was well received. The second set was not overly populated, but all of the important people were there. It was a blast. The 'hang out' afterwards was stimulating, too!
But I've gotten ahead of myself. Saturday I played for about 300 motorbikers with the Alysha Brooke Band. They were on a charity ride. We performed at the post ride celebrations - burning off tires and all. They were a bit scary, but since the average age of a biker is around 50 these days, I wasn't too worried. All went well and I made it back to Kitchener in time to catch a set by Douglas Watson and catch some fun down at the Boathouse.
Well, that's this week's excitement so far. Tune in next time when our hero will say...
Nod
When we last left our hero...erm...I mean, since last post, my buddy Lane Burman had a birthday and we spent the afternoon smoking fish (no, that's not a metaphor), swimming, and enjoying some party treats. Twas a fine day and evening! Then my old pals Kevin and Melia dropped in (see pic below).
Part way through the long weekend I headed up to the cottage. Had fun with the family beaching it, kayaking, etc. My friend Luke Rogerson (gtr with Alysha Brooke Band) was cottaging with his wife and wife's family at Wasega at the same time so we did some narly (does anyone say that any more?) wave riding in some pretty high waves and capsized a few times. We hit a bar to check out a jam and a drummer we both know walked in out of nowhere...strange night indeed.
This weekend was the Kitchener Blues Fest - an event not to be missed! I saw many fine acts, including Jeff Healy, with my old friend Dave Murphy and his band as backup. Kevin Coates snuck out to hang out for that one. Shawn Kellerman was good on Friday night. Met some really cool new people - beautiful. On Sunday, I was having a beer with some friends at the Boathouse when the expected band didn't show up. So James, Doug and I grabbed some instruments and - totally unrehearsed - filled in. The first set was well received. The second set was not overly populated, but all of the important people were there. It was a blast. The 'hang out' afterwards was stimulating, too!
But I've gotten ahead of myself. Saturday I played for about 300 motorbikers with the Alysha Brooke Band. They were on a charity ride. We performed at the post ride celebrations - burning off tires and all. They were a bit scary, but since the average age of a biker is around 50 these days, I wasn't too worried. All went well and I made it back to Kitchener in time to catch a set by Douglas Watson and catch some fun down at the Boathouse.
Well, that's this week's excitement so far. Tune in next time when our hero will say...
Nod
Pics from out West
Here's a couple of nature pictures from my trip to Victoria. The one with the deer in it is as seen from my room at the writer's conference. And the white things are seals from my Zodiak whale watching tour. (None of the killer whale or porpose pics turned out very well :-( )
Wednesday, August 01, 2007
Midweek and Melting
Wow, both of you people who read this blog are getting spoiled...updates every few days! Don't expect the same when Fall comes around...
Friday humped gear for Saturday's wedding gig in the countryside west of KW. It was a wild affair. Young crowd (who danced more for the band than the DJ which is a good sign) in a tent in a field in the middle of nowhere. Full moon. Warm night. Free food & drink. We should have paid them! (Well, maybe not.) They blew up fireworks for half an hour between sets. It was fun and "The Wedding Singers" may have more gigs coming up!
Sunday I did a walk around the park. On a whim I ventured into the Boathouse to hear some bluegrass. Soon many of the area musicians were all assembled on the patio: Al Carter, Corey Williams, Douglas Watson, Doug Mceachern, and more. Juno award winner Charity Brown invited some of us back to her patio where we had orange juice and tea and listened to her latest recording endeavors. A cool 'out of the blue' kind of afternoon.
Monday and Tuesday were back in the studio laying down bass tracks with producer/engineer Mike MacDonald who runs the Bayou Boys, a CCR tribute that's pretty much a full time touring band. Tuesday night I caught some of Shawn Kellerman shredding the blues at the Boathouse.
Lots of music, not a ton of writing going on right now.
Stay cool!
Nod
Friday humped gear for Saturday's wedding gig in the countryside west of KW. It was a wild affair. Young crowd (who danced more for the band than the DJ which is a good sign) in a tent in a field in the middle of nowhere. Full moon. Warm night. Free food & drink. We should have paid them! (Well, maybe not.) They blew up fireworks for half an hour between sets. It was fun and "The Wedding Singers" may have more gigs coming up!
Sunday I did a walk around the park. On a whim I ventured into the Boathouse to hear some bluegrass. Soon many of the area musicians were all assembled on the patio: Al Carter, Corey Williams, Douglas Watson, Doug Mceachern, and more. Juno award winner Charity Brown invited some of us back to her patio where we had orange juice and tea and listened to her latest recording endeavors. A cool 'out of the blue' kind of afternoon.
Monday and Tuesday were back in the studio laying down bass tracks with producer/engineer Mike MacDonald who runs the Bayou Boys, a CCR tribute that's pretty much a full time touring band. Tuesday night I caught some of Shawn Kellerman shredding the blues at the Boathouse.
Lots of music, not a ton of writing going on right now.
Stay cool!
Nod
Friday, July 27, 2007
The 29th Annual Keane...
The 29th annual Keane Bbq-Bocce Tournament-Jam session-Bring your own Birthday Cake event was held last night at the picturesque Keane Estates. Despite an interruption by a vast horde of killer bees, the night went off with great success. Exquisite food, wonderful conversation, and many laughs were had by all. All the problems of the world were solved as the moon set, but alas all solutions were erased with the rising of the sun. A personal highlight for me was doing the dishes.
As a side note, good thoughts and mojo are sent to Chris and his wife, who I will always think of as "Kong", as they endure a 22 hour flight beyond the boundries of the known world. "Here there be Dragons."
Nod
ps. How does someone as ugly as Keaner end up with such attractive offspring? lol
As a side note, good thoughts and mojo are sent to Chris and his wife, who I will always think of as "Kong", as they endure a 22 hour flight beyond the boundries of the known world. "Here there be Dragons."
Nod
ps. How does someone as ugly as Keaner end up with such attractive offspring? lol
Wednesday, July 25, 2007
"They keep pulling me back..."
So I was supposed to be playing less music this year and especially this summer, with leaving the show band and Kevin Coates taking his summer off, but like the mob guy said, (who was it in that Mafia movie?) "They keep pulling me back..."
Monday I had session work in the afternoon with bass player/song writer/singer Doug Maceachern at producer/engineer/gtr player Mike McDonald's studio to play some saxophone. They didn't like the bass on a track and asked me to have a go at it, and they liked what I did, so I'm playing both (the magic of the studio - you can play sax and bass at the same time).
Monday night I rehearsed with Mike Boltz and Vanyah Venhuizen (new band) for a wedding gig on the weekend. Tuesday did some woodshedding between unpacking and laundry, and Wednesday was like Monday. Thursday, in the studio again in the afternoon.
So focusing on fiction writing, this summer's goal, has not been going as well. Oh well...there are some emptier weeks coming up that may allow for more writing.
And the music has been fun - which hasn't always been the case in the last few years.
"They keep pulling me back" but at least I'm liking it!
NOD
Monday I had session work in the afternoon with bass player/song writer/singer Doug Maceachern at producer/engineer/gtr player Mike McDonald's studio to play some saxophone. They didn't like the bass on a track and asked me to have a go at it, and they liked what I did, so I'm playing both (the magic of the studio - you can play sax and bass at the same time).
Monday night I rehearsed with Mike Boltz and Vanyah Venhuizen (new band) for a wedding gig on the weekend. Tuesday did some woodshedding between unpacking and laundry, and Wednesday was like Monday. Thursday, in the studio again in the afternoon.
So focusing on fiction writing, this summer's goal, has not been going as well. Oh well...there are some emptier weeks coming up that may allow for more writing.
And the music has been fun - which hasn't always been the case in the last few years.
"They keep pulling me back" but at least I'm liking it!
NOD
Tuesday, July 24, 2007
Victoria - toria, toria... (as the song goes)
Here's the oft requested (at least 3 people!) travel-blog of my sojourne to Victoria!
After a night of playing, I took off from the airport, laid over in Calgary - talked to some very interesting guys - and arrived in Victoria. The first night I caught a couple bands, including an Irish guy singing Celtic tunes with a nice fiddle player (I thought this was the WEST coast). Great night!
I did a whale watching tour. Saw a pod of orcas, some of whom breached while feeding on salmon, seals, a bald eagle, porpoise, and more! A deceptive overcast and bombing along at 70k in a wide open Zodiak combined to give me a tragically red sun/wind burn. Needless to say, I was red faced and red faced to arrive at the literary conference for the inaugural cocktail party.
Monday I found myself in a conference subsection with wonderfully - and imposingly - literate writers, lead by award winning novelist/writer Billie Livingston. The week continued with daily readings, lectures, and informal conversations with writers of all levels, ages and varieties. Good food, good company and inspiring experiences were the order of the week. Among the conference participants, for example, could be found lawyers, a hitch-hiking ex-snowboarder carpenter, a librarian, a past university president, a conscientious objector from the late '60's, a writer from RIM, teachers of all levels, high school non-finishers, a guy who narrowly survived attacks by both pigmy elephants and sloth bears, a house flipper...I could go on. Deer and rabbits were common on the private school campus and the final bbq was in old growth forest in a 120 year old cabin.
That exhaused and exhilerated me, but I still had the final days in Victoria. I found Mile Zero on the TransCanada, sat at the sea to have 3 baby sea otters play within arms reach, watched a mariachi band in the park, ate noodles in Chinatown, and watched a few more bands before coming home.
Much inspiration for writing was gained. The Isle of Nod will feature some chunks in the coming weeks.
Overall, this was a wonderful experience. And I was ready for one!
NOD
After a night of playing, I took off from the airport, laid over in Calgary - talked to some very interesting guys - and arrived in Victoria. The first night I caught a couple bands, including an Irish guy singing Celtic tunes with a nice fiddle player (I thought this was the WEST coast). Great night!
I did a whale watching tour. Saw a pod of orcas, some of whom breached while feeding on salmon, seals, a bald eagle, porpoise, and more! A deceptive overcast and bombing along at 70k in a wide open Zodiak combined to give me a tragically red sun/wind burn. Needless to say, I was red faced and red faced to arrive at the literary conference for the inaugural cocktail party.
Monday I found myself in a conference subsection with wonderfully - and imposingly - literate writers, lead by award winning novelist/writer Billie Livingston. The week continued with daily readings, lectures, and informal conversations with writers of all levels, ages and varieties. Good food, good company and inspiring experiences were the order of the week. Among the conference participants, for example, could be found lawyers, a hitch-hiking ex-snowboarder carpenter, a librarian, a past university president, a conscientious objector from the late '60's, a writer from RIM, teachers of all levels, high school non-finishers, a guy who narrowly survived attacks by both pigmy elephants and sloth bears, a house flipper...I could go on. Deer and rabbits were common on the private school campus and the final bbq was in old growth forest in a 120 year old cabin.
That exhaused and exhilerated me, but I still had the final days in Victoria. I found Mile Zero on the TransCanada, sat at the sea to have 3 baby sea otters play within arms reach, watched a mariachi band in the park, ate noodles in Chinatown, and watched a few more bands before coming home.
Much inspiration for writing was gained. The Isle of Nod will feature some chunks in the coming weeks.
Overall, this was a wonderful experience. And I was ready for one!
NOD
Sunday, July 22, 2007
Back in KW
Just made it back a couple hours ago. Had a great time.
When I'm less tired I'll add a more detailed entry - or 3.
For friends who know him, Doriano's dad just died and our thoughts and good vibes are directed his way.
Peace to all.
Don
When I'm less tired I'll add a more detailed entry - or 3.
For friends who know him, Doriano's dad just died and our thoughts and good vibes are directed his way.
Peace to all.
Don
Wednesday, July 11, 2007
Summertime and the livin'...
Greetings from the Isle of Nod. Yet ANOTHER update. Summer...time to do fun stuff like this.
Played a great gig with Kevin Coates on Friday. A fun with with Alisha Brooke on Saturday. Had a wild post show part at a campfire. Drove to the cottage.
My awesome nephew Dan and I spent Monday together. Pizza, a couple hours at the beach, and an afternoon of paintballing - it was too cool.
Friday is Kevin Coates final gig of the summer at the Duke of Wellington. Should be a blast!
The livin' is easy!
Nod
Played a great gig with Kevin Coates on Friday. A fun with with Alisha Brooke on Saturday. Had a wild post show part at a campfire. Drove to the cottage.
My awesome nephew Dan and I spent Monday together. Pizza, a couple hours at the beach, and an afternoon of paintballing - it was too cool.
Friday is Kevin Coates final gig of the summer at the Duke of Wellington. Should be a blast!
The livin' is easy!
Nod
Saturday, July 07, 2007
Gotta love summer.
Great gig last night with Kevin Coates. We played some cool tunes. The crowd was slow at first, but it was busy from 10pm on. Great crowd for the summer. Lovely scenery. I stretched a bit on sax and bass to some applause and had a fun time.
Playing in Erin tonight with the country band. An after party is planned with Bryce, who lives there and used to play in the band. Apparently, it could get ugly. Hoping to hit the cottage for the hot days forcasted for Sunday - Monday.
Writing is going great. Novel is well organized and writing is coming. Some networking opportunities are happening, too.
Rented the apartment out, too. That's good news.
Summer on the Isle of Nod is very cool.
Nod
Great gig last night with Kevin Coates. We played some cool tunes. The crowd was slow at first, but it was busy from 10pm on. Great crowd for the summer. Lovely scenery. I stretched a bit on sax and bass to some applause and had a fun time.
Playing in Erin tonight with the country band. An after party is planned with Bryce, who lives there and used to play in the band. Apparently, it could get ugly. Hoping to hit the cottage for the hot days forcasted for Sunday - Monday.
Writing is going great. Novel is well organized and writing is coming. Some networking opportunities are happening, too.
Rented the apartment out, too. That's good news.
Summer on the Isle of Nod is very cool.
Nod
Tuesday, July 03, 2007
Multicultural Fair - Victoria Park
Here's me and Kevin's lad Dillon at the awesome Kitchener multicultural festival.
Monday, July 02, 2007
SUMMER's HERE!
Ah, let the teacher bashing begin - I don't care! I'm on holidays! June was crazy with end of school year, a good number of gigs and studio work, and Sandra moving out (yes, we've split up), but now there's lots of time to unwind, regroup, reorganize and move forward.
Some good gigs with Kevin Coates and Alysha Brooke in the last little while. 2 more this weekend coming.
Putting the house in order and writing fiction have been my main activities so far.
Looking for a renter for my house's apartment - new floors, paint, windows, appliances - if you know anyone, let me know!
Time to go soak up some sun - one scientist says don't go near it, another says you need some...who really knows? Moderation, I suppose, is the best answer.
Let the summer holidays begin!
NOD
ps. the Isle of Nod is finally updated, too - www3.sympatico.ca/donfeatherstone
Some good gigs with Kevin Coates and Alysha Brooke in the last little while. 2 more this weekend coming.
Putting the house in order and writing fiction have been my main activities so far.
Looking for a renter for my house's apartment - new floors, paint, windows, appliances - if you know anyone, let me know!
Time to go soak up some sun - one scientist says don't go near it, another says you need some...who really knows? Moderation, I suppose, is the best answer.
Let the summer holidays begin!
NOD
ps. the Isle of Nod is finally updated, too - www3.sympatico.ca/donfeatherstone
Sunday, June 17, 2007
Summer cometh...yippy!
Greetings Nodblog readers (both of you - and you know who you are).
Since last post, its been a crazy month.
School year is coming with its inherent marking piles, parent phone calls for kids who are failing (but Dalton doesn't want any of them to fail), meetings, retirement gatherings, and writing the exams the students will write.
Speaking of Dalton, next year there are no late penalties to be awarded. No student can recieve a zero if they don't hand in assignments, and he expects all medians to magically go up 10%. That's one way to keep everyone in high school and have more get their diplomas - lower your standards! Big picture societal impact? Not a consideration. Small picture - some good looking statistics for the fall election.
Been doing a good bit of fiction writing - short story and a novel I'm hoping to work on in the summer. Might go to a writers' conference/retreat as well.
Mysterious happenings around the house.
Lots of Music - 3 gigs in 6 days, two of them on weekdays - I thought I was going to avoid weeks like that without the Elvis band - but it was fun, busy but fun. Kevin Coates and I played Molly's Waterloo. We keep waiting to show up and it will be dead because it is summer (no students), but it was packed and crazy again. We also played a lovely little corperate cocktail party thing on Thursday. Alysha Brooke and band played "ladies night" at the Coral in Oshawa. A bit of a rough town, but lots of ladies!
Exams start next week - and their marking and the resulting report card writing. Kevin and I play the DUKE of WELLINGTON in Waterloo and Alysha Brooke plays Elmira, Friday and Saturday, respectively. Come on out if you're in the area! My buddy Ray Smith's band Led Zep or something plays the Ivy on Canada Day Weekend's Saturday. Another highly recommended experience.
My folks are off on a retirement trip, a cruise to Alaska! And a well earned one at that....CONGRATULATIONS. I may stay over there in Milton a couple of nights this week while I'm bogged in work at school and to look after the place a bit.
There's the update from the Isle of Nod. Come for the food, stay for the shite!
Nod
Since last post, its been a crazy month.
School year is coming with its inherent marking piles, parent phone calls for kids who are failing (but Dalton doesn't want any of them to fail), meetings, retirement gatherings, and writing the exams the students will write.
Speaking of Dalton, next year there are no late penalties to be awarded. No student can recieve a zero if they don't hand in assignments, and he expects all medians to magically go up 10%. That's one way to keep everyone in high school and have more get their diplomas - lower your standards! Big picture societal impact? Not a consideration. Small picture - some good looking statistics for the fall election.
Been doing a good bit of fiction writing - short story and a novel I'm hoping to work on in the summer. Might go to a writers' conference/retreat as well.
Mysterious happenings around the house.
Lots of Music - 3 gigs in 6 days, two of them on weekdays - I thought I was going to avoid weeks like that without the Elvis band - but it was fun, busy but fun. Kevin Coates and I played Molly's Waterloo. We keep waiting to show up and it will be dead because it is summer (no students), but it was packed and crazy again. We also played a lovely little corperate cocktail party thing on Thursday. Alysha Brooke and band played "ladies night" at the Coral in Oshawa. A bit of a rough town, but lots of ladies!
Exams start next week - and their marking and the resulting report card writing. Kevin and I play the DUKE of WELLINGTON in Waterloo and Alysha Brooke plays Elmira, Friday and Saturday, respectively. Come on out if you're in the area! My buddy Ray Smith's band Led Zep or something plays the Ivy on Canada Day Weekend's Saturday. Another highly recommended experience.
My folks are off on a retirement trip, a cruise to Alaska! And a well earned one at that....CONGRATULATIONS. I may stay over there in Milton a couple of nights this week while I'm bogged in work at school and to look after the place a bit.
There's the update from the Isle of Nod. Come for the food, stay for the shite!
Nod
Sunday, June 03, 2007
Music Stuff
Time I updated this thing.
Been spending some time writing these days - relaxed schedule and all. I'm thinking of going to some writers' conferences and workshops this summer.
Speaking of travel, Ma and Pa Featherstone are off to cruise up to Alaska in June - cool! And a well deserved holiday for them!
Also, I have managed to visit some live music recently - mostly local Kitchener stuff. Saw my old buddy Fernando playing drums the other weekend. The blues jam at The Still is quite a cool scene in the summer. The Boathouse also has some nearby live tunes - lovely!
The Alysha Brooke project continues to work in the studio. We have a sub drummer for an upcoming gig who played on the old hit "Hang On Sloopy". He's 70, spry, full of energy, great on grooves and loves playing music still - something to aspire to...
One more (hard) month of school - June is tough, but the end-of-tunnel light is there. Had a wonderfully successful Coffee House last week, full of student writing and music. Cool...
Ah, sun and summer is here. Gotta love it.
Nod
Been spending some time writing these days - relaxed schedule and all. I'm thinking of going to some writers' conferences and workshops this summer.
Speaking of travel, Ma and Pa Featherstone are off to cruise up to Alaska in June - cool! And a well deserved holiday for them!
Also, I have managed to visit some live music recently - mostly local Kitchener stuff. Saw my old buddy Fernando playing drums the other weekend. The blues jam at The Still is quite a cool scene in the summer. The Boathouse also has some nearby live tunes - lovely!
The Alysha Brooke project continues to work in the studio. We have a sub drummer for an upcoming gig who played on the old hit "Hang On Sloopy". He's 70, spry, full of energy, great on grooves and loves playing music still - something to aspire to...
One more (hard) month of school - June is tough, but the end-of-tunnel light is there. Had a wonderfully successful Coffee House last week, full of student writing and music. Cool...
Ah, sun and summer is here. Gotta love it.
Nod
Wednesday, May 16, 2007
May be an Update...
Greatings all!
Since my last posting things have been normal busy. Kevin Coates and I had a great gig on Friday at Molly's north. Lots of "never played before" tunes! We had the whole clan over for Mother's Day. The weather cooperated. Our friend Robert took a bunch of pictures...it was a fun day!
Tomorrow I'm in the studio - Abbymax Studios, to be precise - to record with Alysha. Then, how that goes will decide on if the cottage or more studio work is in the cards for the weekend.
Since my last posting things have been normal busy. Kevin Coates and I had a great gig on Friday at Molly's north. Lots of "never played before" tunes! We had the whole clan over for Mother's Day. The weather cooperated. Our friend Robert took a bunch of pictures...it was a fun day!
Tomorrow I'm in the studio - Abbymax Studios, to be precise - to record with Alysha. Then, how that goes will decide on if the cottage or more studio work is in the cards for the weekend.
That's all the news for today. Cheers all!
Nod
Monday, April 30, 2007
Recent Stuff
Wow, a good rant feels great.
What have we been up too?
In the last few weeks Sandra hosted 50 parties in about 8 days for work and her Newfoundland trip and such - that was busy. I played with the Alysha Brooke Band, the Kris Miles Blues Band and Kevin Coates at some fun gigs, locally.
Day gig-wise, I've been developing curriculum for grade 10's, introducing a new novel to the school, "Memory Boy" that has been doing very well. Recently I've been researching grade 9 and 10 graphic novels for use next year. That's on top of the usual course work, parent conferences, meetings and classes, as well as my two 'clubs', Reach for the Top and the Writers' Guild.
We've done a bit of work around the place. Sandra has the gardens rolling. Apartment is ready for a renter - have to find one, though.
That's the news from the Isle of Nod - oh, and that the web site is back up and running, of course - www3.sympatico.ca/donfeatherstone
Happy May Day!
nod
What have we been up too?
In the last few weeks Sandra hosted 50 parties in about 8 days for work and her Newfoundland trip and such - that was busy. I played with the Alysha Brooke Band, the Kris Miles Blues Band and Kevin Coates at some fun gigs, locally.
Day gig-wise, I've been developing curriculum for grade 10's, introducing a new novel to the school, "Memory Boy" that has been doing very well. Recently I've been researching grade 9 and 10 graphic novels for use next year. That's on top of the usual course work, parent conferences, meetings and classes, as well as my two 'clubs', Reach for the Top and the Writers' Guild.
We've done a bit of work around the place. Sandra has the gardens rolling. Apartment is ready for a renter - have to find one, though.
That's the news from the Isle of Nod - oh, and that the web site is back up and running, of course - www3.sympatico.ca/donfeatherstone
Happy May Day!
nod
For Whom the Bell Toll
"What are they smoking at Bell?"Well, many of us have to ask about the "toll" we've paid Ma Bell. Here is the abridged version of my own Bell Sympatico odyssey.
---A few months ago I could no longer upload changes to "The Isle of Nod"
(which is why it hasn't been updated in so long...)
---I called and got patched through...eventually...to India where they said they'd change my password to reinitialize. Didn't work.
---I called again. After more stretches of hold listening to Gershwin Muzak, they said maybe my account was in default. They patched me back to Canada (I think). They then patched me back to India when they realized I was all paid up. They said I could have an upgraded modem, though, for FREE (Who knows when I was eligible for that) and would send one. Besides that, there was nothing they could do - the problem was at my end.
---I downloaded new FTP software (to 'file transfer') - 2 different versions. I tried every combination of passwords, etc. I could think of. Well, being a borderline Ludite (and I'm thinking of going full bore soon!) I assumed it was my fault for being so stupid.
---I called Bob the computer guy, paid him. He said I was doing everything fine and the problem was there's. We called their 24 hour help line - to find that is only 24 hrs if you pay more per month. (Even though they advertise that, I guess it's the 'small print'.) Since he has a day job (computers), I'm on my own again.
---I phone the tech help line again. I forgot to mention, but they read off of one of those dreaded "scripts" that don't allow them to actually do any thinking. Every time I've called about this I've had their caution - printed on the internet, too - that they don't support your web applications, they just provide the space. I can probably recite the paragraph they read you by now. The guy in India said I needed the new modem. I told they had ordered one for me a month ago but it hadn't arrived. He said no one had sent one. BUT when it arrives, all will be well again. BUT I'll have to PAY for it. I complain and he says to wait and see if they bill me(?).
---I hook up the modem when it finally comes. Internet all works. I STILL cannot upload to my webspace.
---I call the help line, having taken a day off work to take care of this during their business hours. I'm patched through to India once again. All of the operators in India have been very polite and apologetic so far. This one is snippy. She reads me the "we don't support your problems running your website" paragraph at least four times. I try to explain the problem to her - I can't access it on their end; it's their problem!!! I ask to speak to someone higher up who can help. She reads the paragraph again. Ugh! I ask to speak to her supervisor. After more lovely muzak listening, she comes back on and says my password isn't working. Duh!? She then says we'll change it and that will fix it. I've heard that tune before, but I go with it. She changes it and it still doesn't work. FINALLY someone there believes me. After more time on hold, she says there is a problem at her end. DUH!!! It will be fixed in 48 hours. I ask if someone will email to notified when it is fixed? No. But they'll fix it.
---FINALLY they fixed it.
THE ISLE OF NOD LIVES AGAIN!!!
(www3.sympatico.ca/donfeatherstone)
I'm wondering if I should send them some of the above, plus a bill for the hours of time - not to mention the computer technician's - that their inept line of service has cost me. Maybe I should send them a "toll".
But guess what just arrived in the mail - a Bell customer satisfaction survey!!! I never fill those out, but this time...
Rant out.
Nod
Sunday, April 15, 2007
Tunes, apartments, report cards, Rik etc.
Hello Nodblog Readers!
Busy week here on the Isle of Nod. We've been working hard on the apartment. I don't think we're slum lords - I'd live there. If anyone knows anyone who is looking for a place in KW, let us know!
Played with Kevin Coates on Friday. It was a wild night as university comes to an end. Drunk guys unsuccessfully hitting on young ladies, dirty dancing, unlimited requests - the crowd literally went wild many times. Kevin had to pull out the Tom Waites tunes to settle them down and save his gear from beer drenching in the limited dance space. The show was definately entertaining for all involved. Good bye students - we will miss you in the quiet summer gigs - but fall will come again and the rituals of youth will continue, unabated.
I played a cool blues gig with Kris Miles last night, a new thing happening at a pool hall in Fredrick Street mall. The crowd is slowly growing and playing pool while listening to blues sounds like a natural combination. I might do it again, so stay posted!
Report cards are finally done. Here's a question for the logic based, left-brained, computer experts out there: if computers work logically, why can't we have software that works properly. Microsoft has rarely improved my computer with its updates without at least partially screwing it up. The school's computer systems and the programmes for report cards - that thousands of schools use - are similarly flawed. I can't fix the Isle of Nod without 10 hours of phone consultation and an hour of personal service - and then the programmes to carry it still don't work. Computers can do some wonderful things, but why do they so frequently not work right? I know, I know...computers are made by humans and humans are flawed. I know, I know....there's no such thing as a computer error, just human error. But why does every 'upgrade' not fix but break something that didn't need an upgrade in the first place? Rant over. Next computer: a MAC.
Saw Rik Emmitt and a bunch of other singers and the KW orchestra play Beatles tunes on Wednesday. It was a great show. I got to shake hands and have a brief chat with him after the show. That was cool.
Anyway, that's the news here on the Isle of Nod. Website status: the guy in India said it might work once they get me the hardware (new modem) they said they were sending me over a month ago. We shall see...
In the great words of...someone..."if it aint broke, don't fix it"
nod
Busy week here on the Isle of Nod. We've been working hard on the apartment. I don't think we're slum lords - I'd live there. If anyone knows anyone who is looking for a place in KW, let us know!
Played with Kevin Coates on Friday. It was a wild night as university comes to an end. Drunk guys unsuccessfully hitting on young ladies, dirty dancing, unlimited requests - the crowd literally went wild many times. Kevin had to pull out the Tom Waites tunes to settle them down and save his gear from beer drenching in the limited dance space. The show was definately entertaining for all involved. Good bye students - we will miss you in the quiet summer gigs - but fall will come again and the rituals of youth will continue, unabated.
I played a cool blues gig with Kris Miles last night, a new thing happening at a pool hall in Fredrick Street mall. The crowd is slowly growing and playing pool while listening to blues sounds like a natural combination. I might do it again, so stay posted!
Report cards are finally done. Here's a question for the logic based, left-brained, computer experts out there: if computers work logically, why can't we have software that works properly. Microsoft has rarely improved my computer with its updates without at least partially screwing it up. The school's computer systems and the programmes for report cards - that thousands of schools use - are similarly flawed. I can't fix the Isle of Nod without 10 hours of phone consultation and an hour of personal service - and then the programmes to carry it still don't work. Computers can do some wonderful things, but why do they so frequently not work right? I know, I know...computers are made by humans and humans are flawed. I know, I know....there's no such thing as a computer error, just human error. But why does every 'upgrade' not fix but break something that didn't need an upgrade in the first place? Rant over. Next computer: a MAC.
Saw Rik Emmitt and a bunch of other singers and the KW orchestra play Beatles tunes on Wednesday. It was a great show. I got to shake hands and have a brief chat with him after the show. That was cool.
Anyway, that's the news here on the Isle of Nod. Website status: the guy in India said it might work once they get me the hardware (new modem) they said they were sending me over a month ago. We shall see...
In the great words of...someone..."if it aint broke, don't fix it"
nod
Monday, April 09, 2007
Happy Hoppy!
Happy Easter and all that!
Spent some time up at the cottage with the family this weekend - that was fun. Lots of good visiting.
Nothing like a snowy Easter! After a very green Christmas, it appears that perhaps we have completely screwed up the planet.
Pet peeve of the week - maybe a repeat - people NOT signalling turns or lane changes. Too tired to go on with that rant right now, but let's just say that they could be too lazy, they could be full of hubris concerning their road awareness, they could be rude morons, or perhaps they have something more important to do with that hand, like shoving their finger up their nose past the third knuckle so they can fish around in their cranium trying to locate something resembling a brain.
Busy week ahead: report card week at school and lots of music related evenings. Playing with Kevin Coates, Alysha Brooke and perhaps Kris Miles in the coming days. Should be fun!
Website update: The Isle of Nod is still not updateable. I had a computer guru here tonight. Seems I'm doing everything right. So we called BellSurf for Sympatico's 24/7 help tech support...and they were closed! Grrrrr...
Easter bunny, forget the chocolate crap and bring some warm weather, wouldja?
Happy Hoppy to all!
nod
Spent some time up at the cottage with the family this weekend - that was fun. Lots of good visiting.
Nothing like a snowy Easter! After a very green Christmas, it appears that perhaps we have completely screwed up the planet.
Pet peeve of the week - maybe a repeat - people NOT signalling turns or lane changes. Too tired to go on with that rant right now, but let's just say that they could be too lazy, they could be full of hubris concerning their road awareness, they could be rude morons, or perhaps they have something more important to do with that hand, like shoving their finger up their nose past the third knuckle so they can fish around in their cranium trying to locate something resembling a brain.
Busy week ahead: report card week at school and lots of music related evenings. Playing with Kevin Coates, Alysha Brooke and perhaps Kris Miles in the coming days. Should be fun!
Website update: The Isle of Nod is still not updateable. I had a computer guru here tonight. Seems I'm doing everything right. So we called BellSurf for Sympatico's 24/7 help tech support...and they were closed! Grrrrr...
Easter bunny, forget the chocolate crap and bring some warm weather, wouldja?
Happy Hoppy to all!
nod
Monday, April 02, 2007
April Fools
It's April. Bring on the good weather! Sleep appears to be optional again tonight, so I thought I'd update the ol' BLOG!
Sandra is working hard (too hard?) at a new job. We're both brushing up our vacant basement appartment - clean here, patch there, paint over there. If you know someone who'd like a large, clean place in Kitchener, let us know!
Hooray for short weeks! Off to the cottage for the long weekend coming up.
New sign up in the neighbourhood....
Have a great April!!!
NOD
Sunday, March 25, 2007
KEVIN - Old, but not really..25 years!!!
Sandra and I in the massive crowd.
PICs of the 25 Year Gig!!!
"The Duke Brothers Band"
Thursday, March 22, 2007
Short Short Short Stories
Here are some of my favourite short, short, short stories. Hope you enjoy them.
Hemingway once wrote a story (he claimed, the saddest story ever) in just six words and others have tried the six word story...
"For sale: baby shoes, never worn." - Hemingway
Computer, did we bring batteries? Computer? - Eileen Gunn
Gown removed carelessly. Head, less so.- Joss Whedon
Automobile warranty expires. So does engine.- Stan Lee
Longed for him. Got him. Shit.- Margaret Atwood
We kissed. She melted. Mop please!- James Patrick Kelly
It’s behind you! Hurry before it - Rockne S. O’Bannon
Husband, transgenic mistress; wife: "You cow!" - Paul Di Filippo
Easy. Just touch the match to - Ursula K. Le Guin
Bush told the truth. Hell froze. - William Gibson
Dorothy: "Fuck it, I'll stay here." - Steven Meretzky
Toto for now,
Nod
Hemingway once wrote a story (he claimed, the saddest story ever) in just six words and others have tried the six word story...
"For sale: baby shoes, never worn." - Hemingway
Computer, did we bring batteries? Computer? - Eileen Gunn
Gown removed carelessly. Head, less so.- Joss Whedon
Automobile warranty expires. So does engine.- Stan Lee
Longed for him. Got him. Shit.- Margaret Atwood
We kissed. She melted. Mop please!- James Patrick Kelly
It’s behind you! Hurry before it - Rockne S. O’Bannon
Husband, transgenic mistress; wife: "You cow!" - Paul Di Filippo
Easy. Just touch the match to - Ursula K. Le Guin
Bush told the truth. Hell froze. - William Gibson
Dorothy: "Fuck it, I'll stay here." - Steven Meretzky
Toto for now,
Nod
Wednesday, March 21, 2007
Don's Gigs thus far
Hi All!
I'm still struggling to get the Isle of Nod up and running, so here is a list of my booked shows coming in the next while...
March 23 - Kevin Coates 25th!!! Anniversary Gig at the DUKE of WELLINGTON - see where it all started!
April 13 - KC - Molly's, Waterloo
April 14 - Kris Miles Blues Band - Blues and Cues, Fredrick St Mall, Kitchener
April 21 - Alysha - Lenny B's, Cambridge
April 27 - KC - Fox and Fiddle, Waterloo
May 11 - KC - Molly's, Waterlooo
May 25 - KC - Duke of Wellington, Waterpoo
May 27 - Alysha - Oakville's 150th Birthday, 1pm
June 8 - KC - Molly's, Waterzoo
June 22 - KC - Duke, Laterwoo
July 6 - KC - Molly's, Watermoo
July 13 - KC - Duke, Vaterloo
August 11 - Alysha - Campvilleville - Private Function
September 7 - Fox and Fiddle, Faterloo
Sept. 1 - Alysha - Canadian Country Classic, Milton
Sept 14 - KC - Molly's, Waterloo....just after me birthday!
September 28 - KC - Duke, Waterloo
October 12 - KC - Molly's, Waterworld
October 19 - KC - Duke of Wellington, Waterlooniebin
November 9 - KC - Molly's - Waterloob - sorry, can't play it, getting married and all....
NOVEMBER 10 - WEDDING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
November 17 - Alysha - Help For Holly Fundraiser, Milton
November 23 - KC - Duke, Wawala
December 7 - KC - Molly's, Waterworld
December 14 - KC - Duke of Christmas, Northpole
I'm still struggling to get the Isle of Nod up and running, so here is a list of my booked shows coming in the next while...
March 23 - Kevin Coates 25th!!! Anniversary Gig at the DUKE of WELLINGTON - see where it all started!
April 13 - KC - Molly's, Waterloo
April 14 - Kris Miles Blues Band - Blues and Cues, Fredrick St Mall, Kitchener
April 21 - Alysha - Lenny B's, Cambridge
April 27 - KC - Fox and Fiddle, Waterloo
May 11 - KC - Molly's, Waterlooo
May 25 - KC - Duke of Wellington, Waterpoo
May 27 - Alysha - Oakville's 150th Birthday, 1pm
June 8 - KC - Molly's, Waterzoo
June 22 - KC - Duke, Laterwoo
July 6 - KC - Molly's, Watermoo
July 13 - KC - Duke, Vaterloo
August 11 - Alysha - Campvilleville - Private Function
September 7 - Fox and Fiddle, Faterloo
Sept. 1 - Alysha - Canadian Country Classic, Milton
Sept 14 - KC - Molly's, Waterloo....just after me birthday!
September 28 - KC - Duke, Waterloo
October 12 - KC - Molly's, Waterworld
October 19 - KC - Duke of Wellington, Waterlooniebin
November 9 - KC - Molly's - Waterloob - sorry, can't play it, getting married and all....
NOVEMBER 10 - WEDDING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
November 17 - Alysha - Help For Holly Fundraiser, Milton
November 23 - KC - Duke, Wawala
December 7 - KC - Molly's, Waterworld
December 14 - KC - Duke of Christmas, Northpole
Thursday, March 15, 2007
March Break - March on
It's March Break. Yahoo...sort of. Kind of dull here.
Still getting over pnemonia - that sucks. Hard to breath sometimes.
Survived my one gig of the week but it set me back, recovery-wise.
Just when we think everything that could go wrong with the house had, the basement flooded. Gotta love that warm spell. Now we're getting a new sump pump, a new tenent (hopefully), and a new line of credit. I hope the furnace will hold off for another year.
Fixed the dryer, though. Nice to do laundry. Hard to go without it for over a month with a brand new one sitting in the house. Ironic and torturous.
Hope to be feeling better for the weekend and back to the day job.
Been fighting with the Isle of Nod this week. Hopefully it will be updated before 2008.
Not a very exciting BLOG. Sorry.
March on, citizens of (and visitors to) Nod, Come on April!
Nod
ps. Sandra is healthy again (sort of) and has a new job. That's the excitement, I guess!
Still getting over pnemonia - that sucks. Hard to breath sometimes.
Survived my one gig of the week but it set me back, recovery-wise.
Just when we think everything that could go wrong with the house had, the basement flooded. Gotta love that warm spell. Now we're getting a new sump pump, a new tenent (hopefully), and a new line of credit. I hope the furnace will hold off for another year.
Fixed the dryer, though. Nice to do laundry. Hard to go without it for over a month with a brand new one sitting in the house. Ironic and torturous.
Hope to be feeling better for the weekend and back to the day job.
Been fighting with the Isle of Nod this week. Hopefully it will be updated before 2008.
Not a very exciting BLOG. Sorry.
March on, citizens of (and visitors to) Nod, Come on April!
Nod
ps. Sandra is healthy again (sort of) and has a new job. That's the excitement, I guess!
Saturday, February 24, 2007
Bottles, Gigs, and Snot
A viscious head cold has had me using vast amounts of tissue this week and fighting the urge to take the power drill to my sinuses.
Okay, I feel a rant coming on....I got a notice in my recycling box about wine bottles no longer belonging there from my friendly neighbourhood waste disposal agent. I'm thinking that we could save our municipalities a whole lot of money by eliminating recycling altogether. Half the big garbage trucks on the road, too - that will help traffic and the environment. And our provincial government has already started the process; they just need to continue it. Whenever you buy a newspaper, you should pay, let's say, a quarter deposit on it. When you are done, bring it back to the store - who will be obligated to recycle it - and get the quarter back. When you buy a can of beans, another quarter. Bring back the empty can to the grocery store and get it back. If you buy something packaged in cardboard, maybe a fifty cent deposit, a loonie if it's big like a TV, and then bring it back to Future Shop to get the loonie back. (Although, if my plan was to mirror the government's, you'd return Future Shop cardboard to Leon's, Loblaws bean cans to A&P, newspapers bought at 7-11 to Mac's, but hey, I'm not as forward thinking as our MPP's).
Does anyone else see this bottle thing as stupid? Does anyone out there NOT put their wine bottles in the recycling bin already? Great move, Dalton McGinty. And when election time comes and we ask what you did, we'll have this plan and falacious statistics about hospital wait times for specific proceedures and more slanted numbers about educational improvements and class sizes (40 students in a class isn't too high, is it Dalton? And who names their kid Dalton? The only Daltons I've heard of were the Dalton Gang in the Old West and they robbed people....hey wait...let me think about that for a second....)
I'm Bill Needle, for SCTV.
Gigs last weekend went well. More studio stuff keeps coming up for me. Kris Myles, a KW troubadour has asked me about recording with him in March, the Butcher project continues to simmer, Kevin Coates is looking at going into a local studio here, and work on Alysha's material with Toronto producer Gary LaBarr continues.
Off to a gig in Waterloo now. Hope my mucus behaves itself.
Nod
Okay, I feel a rant coming on....I got a notice in my recycling box about wine bottles no longer belonging there from my friendly neighbourhood waste disposal agent. I'm thinking that we could save our municipalities a whole lot of money by eliminating recycling altogether. Half the big garbage trucks on the road, too - that will help traffic and the environment. And our provincial government has already started the process; they just need to continue it. Whenever you buy a newspaper, you should pay, let's say, a quarter deposit on it. When you are done, bring it back to the store - who will be obligated to recycle it - and get the quarter back. When you buy a can of beans, another quarter. Bring back the empty can to the grocery store and get it back. If you buy something packaged in cardboard, maybe a fifty cent deposit, a loonie if it's big like a TV, and then bring it back to Future Shop to get the loonie back. (Although, if my plan was to mirror the government's, you'd return Future Shop cardboard to Leon's, Loblaws bean cans to A&P, newspapers bought at 7-11 to Mac's, but hey, I'm not as forward thinking as our MPP's).
Does anyone else see this bottle thing as stupid? Does anyone out there NOT put their wine bottles in the recycling bin already? Great move, Dalton McGinty. And when election time comes and we ask what you did, we'll have this plan and falacious statistics about hospital wait times for specific proceedures and more slanted numbers about educational improvements and class sizes (40 students in a class isn't too high, is it Dalton? And who names their kid Dalton? The only Daltons I've heard of were the Dalton Gang in the Old West and they robbed people....hey wait...let me think about that for a second....)
I'm Bill Needle, for SCTV.
Gigs last weekend went well. More studio stuff keeps coming up for me. Kris Myles, a KW troubadour has asked me about recording with him in March, the Butcher project continues to simmer, Kevin Coates is looking at going into a local studio here, and work on Alysha's material with Toronto producer Gary LaBarr continues.
Off to a gig in Waterloo now. Hope my mucus behaves itself.
Nod
Wednesday, February 14, 2007
Snow Dog is victorious
The snow is here!!!!
I get today off from school....but will spend most of it shovelling, it looks like.
People always talk about the weather; it is a universal topic everyone uses, stranger or friend. Neighbour can talk with neighbour about it, millionaire with welfare recipient, priest with satanist, everyone has common ground with the weather. You can talk to your best friend about it or converse with someone you secretly despise and it's still all good. The weather....always topical, neutral and never awkward...I nominate you for topic of the day. It'll be -20 tonight with more snow, by the way...
I digress....again...
Second semester is starting up at school. I lent one of the newer teachers my course binder for a class I'm teaching this semester and it has disappeared...very annoying. Lots of work was in there! My classes seem pretty good, but the honeymoon isn't over, yet.
This weekend is a crazy one for music - I thought I'd have less of them now that I'm down to two bands. Thursday I rehearse with Alysha, Friday I gig with Kevin, Saturday I gig with Alysha in Orangeville, and Sunday is another pre-recording session with the producer of Alysha's next project.
Now, it is Valentine's Day (if you were not aware of this, you are in big trouble) and so I am posting my favourite love poem, dedicated to Sandra, of course:
A Drinking Song
WINE comes in at the mouth
And love comes in at the eye;
That's all we shall know for truth
Before we grow old and die.
I lift the glass to my mouth,
I look at you, and sigh.
- William Butler Yeats
We bottled some wine for the wedding last night, so this poem is perhaps even more appropriate on this Valentine's Day.
I hope you have a good one!
Peace. Out.
Nod
I get today off from school....but will spend most of it shovelling, it looks like.
People always talk about the weather; it is a universal topic everyone uses, stranger or friend. Neighbour can talk with neighbour about it, millionaire with welfare recipient, priest with satanist, everyone has common ground with the weather. You can talk to your best friend about it or converse with someone you secretly despise and it's still all good. The weather....always topical, neutral and never awkward...I nominate you for topic of the day. It'll be -20 tonight with more snow, by the way...
I digress....again...
Second semester is starting up at school. I lent one of the newer teachers my course binder for a class I'm teaching this semester and it has disappeared...very annoying. Lots of work was in there! My classes seem pretty good, but the honeymoon isn't over, yet.
This weekend is a crazy one for music - I thought I'd have less of them now that I'm down to two bands. Thursday I rehearse with Alysha, Friday I gig with Kevin, Saturday I gig with Alysha in Orangeville, and Sunday is another pre-recording session with the producer of Alysha's next project.
Now, it is Valentine's Day (if you were not aware of this, you are in big trouble) and so I am posting my favourite love poem, dedicated to Sandra, of course:
A Drinking Song
WINE comes in at the mouth
And love comes in at the eye;
That's all we shall know for truth
Before we grow old and die.
I lift the glass to my mouth,
I look at you, and sigh.
- William Butler Yeats
We bottled some wine for the wedding last night, so this poem is perhaps even more appropriate on this Valentine's Day.
I hope you have a good one!
Peace. Out.
Nod
Saturday, January 27, 2007
January Snow Dog
The legendary snow dog has swept down from the north, giving us a reminder that this is Canada and it is Winter!
Jammed with Ray and the "Just Zepplin" band on Saturday last weekend. It was a blast - a very loud blast - full of musical mahem. Rehearsed with the Alysha band and producer Gary La Barr on Sunday which was challenging, musically, for everyone in the band, I think.
It's exam week - too much marking to do. Lots of kids failing and even more deserve to, but we're not allowed to fail kids so much these days - Dalton McGinty wants some good education stats for his campaign, I guess. Educational quality is an afterthought, it seems.
Fighting the flu bug - everytime I feel recovered, it comes back - this is the third reappearance. Not nice. Hope you don't get it.
Having a quiet, domestic chores and relaxation weekend - and marking, of course. Staying warm with Sandra.
You stay warm, too, and don't let the snow dog bite! (And watch out for the yellow snow!)
nod
Jammed with Ray and the "Just Zepplin" band on Saturday last weekend. It was a blast - a very loud blast - full of musical mahem. Rehearsed with the Alysha band and producer Gary La Barr on Sunday which was challenging, musically, for everyone in the band, I think.
It's exam week - too much marking to do. Lots of kids failing and even more deserve to, but we're not allowed to fail kids so much these days - Dalton McGinty wants some good education stats for his campaign, I guess. Educational quality is an afterthought, it seems.
Fighting the flu bug - everytime I feel recovered, it comes back - this is the third reappearance. Not nice. Hope you don't get it.
Having a quiet, domestic chores and relaxation weekend - and marking, of course. Staying warm with Sandra.
You stay warm, too, and don't let the snow dog bite! (And watch out for the yellow snow!)
nod
Wednesday, January 17, 2007
Oh Sooo Long
He0000000000y all,
Been a very long time updating, and one of my new resolutions is to do this every week. If you would read this blog weekly, let me know. Encouragement is a true inspiration. Also, may need to a pro to help me update the webpage (Isle of Nod) which may become partially a wedding news website this year. I can't get the updates to upload - new hub, perhaps.
December was crazy as usual but, unusually, I did not get overly sick. I did stints in the Sarnia area and the massive gigs at the Rose in Brampton and River Run in Guelph and the month was busy, but full of entertaining.
Christmas and New Years was with the family in Milton and Wasega Beach. Gifts were over the top, again, and New Years without a gig was still a blast, singing tunes, playing video games, eating seafood and chillin' with relatives. Dave can produce an A1 party in a solitary cell.
One of my New Year's resolutions is to spend more time with all the components of my family. This especially includes a) my dad, who is so wise and wealthy an individual, newly retired and finally relaxing in this life; b) my brother's wonderful gang and kids who are destined to be above the crowd; c) Sandra, last but never least, who will hopefully marry me in November.
Winnipeg in the first week of January went well, but left a bug in most of the band. But it was not a cold town - Portage and Main was only 5 below or so. The next week I was very sick. (Yuck) I hope you miss the flu bugs that are about.
Kevin and I slayed the crowd at the Duke on Friday. Always - even when you feel sick - this is a great venue to hang in.
Westjet creamed my bass guitar - more stuff to deal with, repair wise.
Just finished overhauling my sax (big $) and setting up my bass.
One week of classes and exam marking left - it's been a pretty good year at work, even if class sizes are huge and the politics are ridiculous. More rants to come, to be sure...
I have sooooo many projects on the go right now:
- Kevin Coates and his duo or band gigs are soo fun and satisfying, musically, that I can't express enough how fun and enriching they are.
- Alysha is still working and recording/working with some interesting opportunities in the industry
- The "Butcher" project sees me helping a talented young gtr/singer/songwriter put together a CD with rock/alternative/blues influences - right up my alley
- I can't wait to see if I can't get more shows settled out with Ray or Ed - two of the best mates any one could ask for - to play with such musical geniuses and friends is a rare treat indeed
The new year promises to be challenging and musically enriching - what more could one ask for?
Cheers,
NOD
Been a very long time updating, and one of my new resolutions is to do this every week. If you would read this blog weekly, let me know. Encouragement is a true inspiration. Also, may need to a pro to help me update the webpage (Isle of Nod) which may become partially a wedding news website this year. I can't get the updates to upload - new hub, perhaps.
December was crazy as usual but, unusually, I did not get overly sick. I did stints in the Sarnia area and the massive gigs at the Rose in Brampton and River Run in Guelph and the month was busy, but full of entertaining.
Christmas and New Years was with the family in Milton and Wasega Beach. Gifts were over the top, again, and New Years without a gig was still a blast, singing tunes, playing video games, eating seafood and chillin' with relatives. Dave can produce an A1 party in a solitary cell.
One of my New Year's resolutions is to spend more time with all the components of my family. This especially includes a) my dad, who is so wise and wealthy an individual, newly retired and finally relaxing in this life; b) my brother's wonderful gang and kids who are destined to be above the crowd; c) Sandra, last but never least, who will hopefully marry me in November.
Winnipeg in the first week of January went well, but left a bug in most of the band. But it was not a cold town - Portage and Main was only 5 below or so. The next week I was very sick. (Yuck) I hope you miss the flu bugs that are about.
Kevin and I slayed the crowd at the Duke on Friday. Always - even when you feel sick - this is a great venue to hang in.
Westjet creamed my bass guitar - more stuff to deal with, repair wise.
Just finished overhauling my sax (big $) and setting up my bass.
One week of classes and exam marking left - it's been a pretty good year at work, even if class sizes are huge and the politics are ridiculous. More rants to come, to be sure...
I have sooooo many projects on the go right now:
- Kevin Coates and his duo or band gigs are soo fun and satisfying, musically, that I can't express enough how fun and enriching they are.
- Alysha is still working and recording/working with some interesting opportunities in the industry
- The "Butcher" project sees me helping a talented young gtr/singer/songwriter put together a CD with rock/alternative/blues influences - right up my alley
- I can't wait to see if I can't get more shows settled out with Ray or Ed - two of the best mates any one could ask for - to play with such musical geniuses and friends is a rare treat indeed
The new year promises to be challenging and musically enriching - what more could one ask for?
Cheers,
NOD
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