shits & giggles

Crap, I didn't win the lottery!

2006-12-17T07:31:00.000-08:00

Kris made it home for my birthday and I'm really glad she's home. I've been real tired of late as work's been very stressful. The "company" is pretty pleased with the progress and next year should be kick-ass! Until I win the lottery, guess I'll keep on keepin on.

Check out my new bbq Kris helped me buy!!!

A new season, a new setup

2006-12-13T16:48:00.000-08:00

(said like Owen Wilson) I'm soooo totally stoooooked for some sweet riding this year!!!! Snagged a used Burton Custom on eBay to replace my board that was snitched last year - can you imagine???? She's soon to be united with a pair of kick ass Burton Cartel bindings. Check out my new Caddilac riiiiiiiide...

Catch a ride in Quebec

2006-11-21T17:47:00.000-08:00

Slants

2006-11-21T17:35:00.000-08:00

The Irish, they're everywhere!

2006-11-21T17:27:00.000-08:00

wallwork

2006-11-21T17:19:00.000-08:00

Old man.

2006-11-21T17:03:00.000-08:00

Bricklayers.

2006-11-21T16:55:00.000-08:00

Roadwork...deux!!

2006-11-21T16:43:00.000-08:00

Waiting to blow...

2006-11-21T16:07:00.000-08:00

Roadwork in ol' Quebec!

2006-11-21T16:04:00.000-08:00

Still water.

2006-11-21T15:57:00.000-08:00

Nice finds

2006-10-17T21:55:00.000-07:00

Yes...it's the little things isn't it? The other day, I found an unrecognizable cd lying on the back seat floor of my car. Insert, press play...nothing but neck-boppin funk! Who dat? Tonight I popped the cd in the laptop and it turns out this mystery cat is Nino Moschella, cd The Fix. PING!!!! Just remembered that I bought it a few months ago at Birdman records. Actually I was actually looking for Bay Area funk (which I later went back to buy) that day but the cash dude gave this one instead. So it sat in my car until this past week...uncovered but now firmly entrenched in the Collection.

Check it...
http://www.myspace.com/ninomoschella

The life of Andrew

2006-08-08T19:30:00.000-07:00

Sara's crawling now...with 4 teeth!!!

2006-08-08T19:17:00.000-07:00

it's 4am...I have a great idea!!!!

2006-08-08T19:07:00.000-07:00

Triumph and Heartbreak

2006-06-30T08:40:00.000-07:00

Good news and bad news my fellow readers...

Broke the 80 barrier up at le Diable (the devil for you Englishaphones) for the first time. 77 with four birdies, four fingers of JD and about 10 beers.

an den...

Shot 80 this past week but went bogey bogey double bogey (three putt from fifteen feet) in the last three holes. UNLUCKY!!!!

Oh well, I'm now a 10.0 handicap which is the lowest ever for me!!!

I'm thinking of some swing changes...

can my body keep up?

2006-05-30T07:00:00.000-07:00

My back's sore from golf and now I pulled my tricep last night playing beach volleyball. It better be ready for hockey tomorrow because it's the last game with the boys and I wouldn't want to let my new lineman down. Seems I need to stretch more.

A new year for the Sens - Muckler interview

2006-05-17T08:17:00.000-07:00

This morning the TEAM1200 replayed their interview with John Muckler yesterday (see link to listen). I must say, I liked the fact he was extremely pissed off. There will be more grit to this team next year I'm sure. He mentioned Ryan Smyth as someone they might chase. I dig it. We need a power forward and another leader to help Alfie and spread the hunger like a disease to the rest of the crew. He referenced the adversity Edmonton went through before they eventually won 4 straight cups. I still have my doubts on whether our team can rise to the challenge and pay the price to get to the show. It should be an interesting few months and I'll be sad to see some of our boys go. But I'm excited to see we'll finally have some extra power up front...what I've wanted for some time - a gritty big time power forward.

The Strokes

2006-05-17T07:52:00.000-07:00

YEahhhhh! Ottawa is richer since the Strokes came to play. Bring us some more of that !!!! One of my favorite bands of the decade. I really dug Julian Casablancas - nice name eh? His mom was Miss Denmark 1965, his Dad runs Elite. Fucking models!! But this cat's a great frontman...soulful voice and melodic.

I must say...they worked it out! The tracks from the latest disc were kickass live!!! Think I'll go have another listen.

Giver!!!

2006-05-17T07:24:00.000-07:00

Listen up mofos!! Where were you Friday May 12th??? It's rare you get a chance to see the legend, Mr. Jon Spencer. Your loss. Straight up, that dude has some serious energy. "Ladies and gentlemen", he had the crowd on their kneeeeeees - no word of the lie! The way he performs and commands the stage reminds me of those old 50s & 60s concerts. You know the ones...Buddy Holly, Jerry Lee Lewis, Johnny Cash, Elvis.... Just giver!!!

HeavyTrash. Mr. Jon Spencer (he deserves respect) is touring with a bunch of cool cats. The Sadies backed them up all night after a solid set. Gotta love the Sadies! Their lead electric dude was decked in a bluesbrothers suit and mod tie - I think he's seriously depressed; perhaps he's close to an overdose? Anyway, he has this really cool surf style and sound that he gets out of his tele. You would think the Sadies & Jon Spencer would be a crazy fit but it was aight DOG - KICK ASS!!!! Honorable mention to Grizzly Adams on double bass who was very solid. As a parting gift, I picked up the HeavyTrash disc - a fine addition to the growing Jon Spencer collection. Very cool artwork, can you dig it?

Not up to par

2006-05-07T05:13:00.000-07:00

Literally, I had but one in Saturday's game. It left me insecure to tell you the truth. To the range to the range! "Well I still haven't found what I'm looking for" My swing is somewhere inside but doesn't want to be found at the moment. Perhaps today will be the day.

Last night I felt sick and never made it to the high school reunion. Unlucky cuz Dave's in town from out west. Oh well, I'll see everyone at Tuck and Kelly's place later on...love those cats!!!

The Three Sisters. Canmore, Alberta

2006-04-25T23:15:00.000-07:00

Imagine looking outside your window everday with a view like this? I had the pleasure to visit some really good old friends, Bruce, Cheryl and little Anna last week!! A visit long overdue. Anna's like the power child. I'm going to duck when she has a paddle in her hands. Poor little Ben's going to get a complex! hehe.

It really seems like ages since we were living together. I've enjoyed the people I get to live with from time to time that become good friends. After leaving Bruce's mountain home in Canmore at 4:45am to catch my flight home, I wondered what it would be like to live in the mountains...playing hooky after a big dump. I rolled the film in my mind - a blissful powder run carving fluffy snow in the air, just giggling. Imagine if you could have this in your backyard? Move west young man!

Anyway, thanks Bruce and Cheryl. So stoked you guys are doing well. Next time I get to see the new one...(Cheryl is expecting!!!)

Triumph

2006-04-25T22:28:00.000-07:00

The Sens played with heart, at least for the first 40 minutes I witnessed. Havlat is a beaut! He ducks, weaves and shakes! Dipsy doodle, stutter and a final shoulder dip...deek, backhand switch..........SCORES! The boards were rockin' and the lads took the body hard! Nice. That's what I've been waiting for...get angry mofo!

Wow, lots to talk about since my last jizz. Really... pleasure arrives on the eve of the weekend.

Yeahhhhhh, sooooo. Jack gave me some new discs today. Now listening to Matt Mays.
That was the deal in exchange for some of Bobbysan's stirfry. Today's special featured baby bok choy (must jab fists!!!) in secret ginger, peanut sauce ahhhh snow peas, mushroom and ahhhh red pepper and chicken chili soy!!!

Played hockey tonight. Think I scored but don't remember. Sad as I get so tired. Where are my rockets??? When your fingers start to cramp up, now that's old age. What's the cure? How about a little gee-tar!!!! Not wise am I? So, I hooked up with Johnny Blues in another basement jam. All my body parts felt much...be....tter...after I took care of "business". Then I really enjoyed laying down some groove.

Sometimes I wish I had more talent...or desire to make new sounds and melodies that are real and pure. Jealous of the cats that devote their souls to letting it come out on its own. That's art.

Still watching...2nd overtime (Detroit Edmonton)...who will win?

new jam!

2006-04-12T14:46:00.000-07:00

Played bass last night with Johnny Blues at his buddy's place in the glebe. Good times...Blues just came up some killer lyrics to a raggae feel song. He can wail on his new Godin!!! I was layin down da groove mon. I'm thinkin this is my kinda style you know?

They had me use a Fender Jazz bass...sweet axe but I found the neck a little wide for me. The search continues...

2006-04-11T12:08:00.000-07:00

Check out my new office!

My Canada...

2006-04-06T15:33:00.000-07:00

So I had an idea one night after arguing with Kris about a Canadian's right and access to social services. Seems to me, there's too much abuse and not enough accountability when abuse occurs. You see, all of our social services like welfare, employment insurance, healthcare, rental subsidies, skills development, etc... operate under separate mandates. Each social service is governed by a singular Act and of course overseen by a particular government agency.

The common denominator is this concept of equal access to all Canadians. To me, it's venom without a check in balance.

Where government fails is its reluctance to penalize individuals for abusing a particular social assistance program by continuing to provide access to other social programs. I think our system today promotes indifference and not progression as an individual. Let's face it, there's alot of FAT to be chewed and I really don't want to keep paying the insane amount of tax that basically goes towards supporting the contently supported population.

Take employment insurance/rental subsidies/welfare for example. How many people that officially do not work, have other "cash" jobs on the side, continue to collect on each of these subsidies???? That's a load of crap!

If you abuse one benefit, maybe that should deny you access to other benefits. How's that for a foundation for a political platform!!!

Now what mechanism would be needed to effect change? The key would be to somehow link all social services together AND enable information to flow without restriction across each department. That would require passing a bill or potentially modifying the Consititution to introduce restrictions on our individual rights to social services - a police dog like Hooch.

I'm positive we would all benefit from a higher standard of living.

Bass & amp

2006-03-31T16:57:00.000-08:00

I've got the itch for something like a Fender Precision Bass & an amp...suggestions? Keep an eye out for me...

911 documentary

2006-03-28T20:11:00.000-08:00

Courtesy of my buddy Nick...he finds the coolest links. Let's dub him "Link" Check it out in remembrance of 911:
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-2023320890224991194

Mr.SomethingSomething @ the Bayou

2006-03-25T10:37:00.002-08:00

Went to the Bayou last night to catch Mr.SomethingSomething (Afro funk jazz):

http://www.mrsomethingsomething.com/

Pretty fun show...bass dude laid some funky groove with the drummer & bongoman. The two saxes were toit; Lead singer was craaaazy and the crowd was diggin it! There were people old and freaky cuttin up the floor which was good to see. These lads are back May 27 at Babylon...worth a visit!

Solid recommendation from Gizzy!

Mom's first grand-daughter!!!!

2006-03-24T16:05:00.000-08:00

Introducing...Steve & Jamie's baby girl, Sara Lynn Hayami.

2006-03-24T16:01:00.000-08:00

Once again, I outdrove Spud! hehehe

2006-03-24T15:58:00.000-08:00

Freak sandstorm at Desert Falls, CA

2006-03-24T15:57:00.000-08:00

Tweet tweet!! My birdie shot on a par 3...

2006-03-24T15:56:00.000-08:00

Can you get any better than this??? Palm Springs, CA

2006-03-18T22:28:00.000-08:00

Giddy up!

2006-03-18T22:27:00.000-08:00

Tranquility in Manitoulin Island where Kris escapes.

and den...

2006-03-18T19:27:00.000-08:00

Drove to Golftown with Andrew this afternoon. Just something to do you know...ended up talking to some peeps from our golfclub about some rumours flying around. There was talk Clublink bought out Eagle Creek. Seriously that place is a gem. But the old fart that runs the place loves it too much. He's out there every morning watering the course, cutting grass at the crack of dawn. You tell me a better job than that - getting to talk golf all day with people coming to play the best track in town! Some things you just don't sell.

I was looking for some new golf shoes - no luck. Andrew tried a bunch of hybrids - I was conveying the benefits of the shorter shaft (not that I'd know)...over the traditional 3wood. Accuracy, that's what it's all about. Eliminate the shanks in the woods.

After I awoke from a late afternoon snooze, we caught the second & third period of the Sens game at the Oak. Solid energy in that game. Gotta say, Emery needs to play better. Too many rebounds. He needs to cut off the angles better, challenge that mother fucker! 15 shots and the Sabres score 2 goals. Just like that, Emery lets the Sabres back in the game. Brutal. That won't cut it in the playoffs. Ohya, the refs are really pure shite. Inconsistent as hell. This is my pet peeve about the NHL. Refs somehow feel the need to give the losing team power plays to help make it a closer contest. That's a load of crap.

Ohyes, listened a little more to the Strokes on the trek to Kanata. Gotta say...it may take a few more spins to get into it.

Saint Patrick's Day!!!

2006-03-18T09:59:00.000-08:00

For this momentus inaugural post, Saint Patrick armed us all with superhuman spirit absorption powers. I prepared in advance by losing some of the shag growing on my head. Before driving home, a mere one block from my flat, I dropped into Compact Music and walked away with some special finds:

The Little Willies (listening to this as I write) - Featuring Norah Jones...some really rootsy country-feel songs. I like what I hear so far - there's another lead singer, Richard Julian. I'm into this dude. Norah's harmonies are both sultry and subtle.

The Strokes - First Impressions of Earth. Only got through 25 seconds of the first track and can tell it's going to be solid. Let's wait to hear more; perhaps accompanied with a smooth blunt to create the right...fuzz.

Stars - Set Yourself on Fire - Well this came highly recommeded as a must-have Indie disc from the cash girl who reminded me of Sarah Jessica Parker with the funky hair. Except she had a bunch of peircings all over her face. I was afraid it would be more appreciated by lesbians gettin' down to business!! Anyway, so this shit's aight...airy, bit like the Cardigans & Sarah Harmer.

And lastly...
Bedoin Soundclash - Sounding a Mosaic - Good ol' Canadian raggae ska, happy pogo hoppin' beats!!! Quite the way to start off a night of serious bodily abuse uh huh.

Our troop involved these five Irish wannabes:
Bobbysan - Of course was extremely grumpy after having to wait in a freezing line. Too old for that shit.
Skippy Chop (aka Andrew) - Finally after some dagger stares from yours truly, the smooth talker "arranged" to avoid us frostbite.
Dogman - No surprise, he arrives 30 seconds late and has to pay the higher "fee" to enter the lair of taps and tickles. He suggests we start the night off with a round of Irish Car Bombs!!! Mmmmm Yummy!
Kristine - Just as happy as ever savoring every last drop of beer! She asks, "why isn't every day an excuse to drink and be merry?" Still hasn't mastered the idea of the cellphone. You must actually keep it with you in order to communicate with one's friends when plans change!
Erin - Trooper roomate of Kris. This one favors vodka over beer. I'm curious if she's really a spy.

And now for the highlights of the night:
**Chop switches gears to redbull & vodka!!!! A little later, I think I forgot to add the redbull. Straight Vodka ain't so bad after all :)
**Dogman double-fisted with full beers all night letting one go only for periodic shots of Jägermeister. More car bombs!!!! Do it...do it....do it.
**Chop acquires some new digits and sucks face with the librarian from the PRIOR patch.
**Bobby wonders why it's so difficult to efficiently serve poutine for a bunch of drunks. Just keep making more goddam fries!!! Then all was good and my tummy was full. Home James.