Hobbit Nation

Last night was just perfect!
A huge thanks to Kaye and Neil for opening their home to a gaggle of people they didn't even know... Actually, there were people at this show that I didn't know either. I love that the series has grown like that- true enough, most of the people I didn't know had come because it was Kerri playing, but I'm sure I'll see some of them again.

Another great thing about last night was the number of people new to house concerts! About one third of our 35 people had never been to a house concert before... that's pretty cool.

There were some glitches with the live streaming- the set up of the space made it kind of awkward to check the feed. I think I'll have to put someone in charge of that for me during a show. It's a little much hosting/organizing and doing techie type things, in the past I've wished there was some moderator on the chat too...

Kerri was adorable as always, but with this really sweet almost overwhelmed-with-gratitude thing... She made the audience feel like we were doing her this huge favour by being there- her face each time we sang along with the well known pieces, her reaction when we broke into harmonies with her new music was so touching...I nearly cried watching the joy in her face... meanwhile- it was we who were so thankful she could be there! Having good music come to a small space means so much to our little community.

Paul's songs were fabulous- what a welcome surprise. I loved his low mellow voice, and the tricky way his songs made me bob my head along happily to songs of heartbreak... haha, so funny when I think about it now. Having the two of them sing together was a real treat. Kerri's voice has this AMAZING resonance to it- near pitch perfect (if not dead on!)- so her tones have this cool way of rolling back into themselves... um... that might not make as much sense written down as it does in my head... anyway, her voice would stand alone so clearly and Paul's voice would sort of melt into the notes... it was really neat pairing...  like like like.

SO- if you have the chance to hear Kerri Ough's solo stuff, I recommend that you do... AND I recommend that you find a way to hear Paul Mathew's "happy sounding sad songs"... which, I think might be my new favourite genre. Seriously.

hope on the horizon

ha.
for those that caught it... that pun wasn't intended.


So, with the changes that are about to happen at work, I've been spending SO much time in my head trying to figure out how to make it work... how to make it work in a way I won't want to shoot myself after a month.

And I think I've got some things figured out. When I first left the monday-friday job, I had a plan in place that I never needed to put into action, but... I was a smart cookie and wrote it down. Mind you, I forgot about it and didn't even think of it till yesterday.

So, tonight I dig up what I've got written, tweak it a bit, and make the call tomorrow to see if it'll fly.
I'll let you know next week if it's all a go.

I wish I was brave enough to try one of my other ideas.
One of my friends has a simple sheet of paper taped to the frame of her living room door that says "what's the worst that could happen?"

If this plan doesn't work.. maybe... maybe I'll have to get brave.

Toes

I'm on a sock knitting bender... I've given myself 2 weeks to knit 2 pairs of socks. Totally doable. Right?

A few nights ago GTI (I know, it goes by the name "Greenwood Coalition" now... I don't adapt well to name changes) Held it's second Johnny Cash Tribute night- a fund raiser, and all around good time.  It's an art show showcasing some of the work done by the GTI art group, and a whole bunch of amazingly talented musicians bringing Johnny's music to life.  I'm sorry if you missed it. Maybe next year I'll be in a place where I've got my head on right and think to share the info BEFORE the fact.

I've had some huge mixed emotions going into this one (the concert). Something in life ... in my circle... has shifted in the past 3-4 months, and I'm still learning to navigate the waters. It's nothing to worry about- not good, not bad.... just different.  I'm left feeling more observer than participant, and after the past couple of whirlwind years, maybe it's a really good thing.

HOW does any of that tie into a sock-knitting bender? Ah HA! One of the things you missed at the concert was a raffle... including one fantastic prize "2 pairs of custom knit socks"!

must stop typing must keep knitting must stop typing must keep knitting must stop typing must keep knitting must stop typing must keep knitting must stop typing must keep knitting must stop....

One pair down, one to go.

starting the year off right.

come to think of it, I think I've spent the count down to the new year sitting right here in front of the screen... year after year.
o.
my.
that's sad.

Just saving my new year's eve kisses up I suppose.

so, starting the year off right. How did last year fare?
well, in the department of resolutions, quite well I think
there were 3.
I kept them.
mostly.

1) live up to my last name.... yes, I did drink more water.
2) eat more cheese... better believe it
3) blog every day... up, pretty good up until the end of October.

Work went well. I took on too much. But was able to save fairly well.
My friend circle means more... and is more.
I tried new things
I didn't go anywhere new...
I moved to a better living situation. healthier.
Took up running... getting healthier again.

well done 2008.

(also, no misspellings found after typing this post)

finally, something to look forward to

The hardest part of SVFF passing, (other than it being over) (and other than it being a whole YEAR till the next one) is the lack of something to be excited for in the near future.
It's all about the expectation.
So, I'm here to remind you that it's only 9 more sleeps till "talk like a pirate day".

Yarrr, I be there in spirit already.

Tonight... tonight

Yes my friends, tonight you don't want to be anywhere else but here!
"Why for?" you may ask...

Well, for the songwriter's showcase event (6pm)! Right here, in the downtown 'Burg.
Who won last year's event? Non other than the Good Lovelies! Who knows what's in store for us this year!?! (ps, I've written about them before... now GO listen to their music!)

And for those of you totally out of the loop.... the top winners from the showcase get to play at Shelter Valley Folk Festival on Labour Day weekend.... AND if you show up early, (so you hear every entry) you get to be part of the voting process)
Bring your lawn chair (just in case!)!

I'm writing with too many exclamation marks! But I like it!

Sheff Rat Escape Package Deal

For a limited time offer... you too can spend the day with the rats. 

Yesterday Ms.Percey came thru town on her way home from winning at pilgrimage.  She looks fabulous by the way- as anyone who's just walked 800kms generally does. 

Let's set the scene shall we?

I'm on the phone with MegSheff- my cell phone that is, when the phone beeps- an incoming call. I glance down to see who the call is from, and see that it's from the SheffHold. I say to MegSheff "your father is calling, I'll call him back later" (it's always PaSheff who makes the call... BethSheff, tucked neatly into the corner by the computer can be heard barking from the corner "someone call L.Bo and tell her [insert something or other here]". I ignore the call.

The house phone rings.

I see that it is the SheffHold calling again, and tell Meg there must be some Sheff emergency, I'll call them back when we're done.

Eventually the conversation ends.. I hang up, and call the Sheff's.

Baby answers the phone and loudly says "we're just about to leave and.. wait, I've got a beep, it's a 613, I'm going to take it, but we're going now anyway"

None of this makes sense... well, other than the 613 part... that would be Meg cutting my call short.

I sit on the couch and stare at the wall for a second or two... not really trying to figure out the conversation.

Then I check the messages.

And here Ms. Percey's voice on the line... I dash out the door to the Sheff's and nearly run down Ms.Percey in joy.

Baby and Ms. P were about to hop the train (hence the yelling "we're just about to leave")... but I intervened. 

sorry 'bout the blur. (the one on the rocks is us.. we didn't take the boat.. we swam)

fam damn-ily

I love my family... now, family reunions... I'm not so fond of.

Ok, I like the part where I get to see everyone and catch up with them- I like the part where we get too see the little kids and how much they've grown. I even enjoy the drive down!

I don't however enjoy the comments made by "well meaning" family members- the ones that hurt without intention- but are made without a thought before they're said.

For example- three cousins have had some fertility issues... including several losses each. But, that doesn't stop people.... "when are you going to give little [kid's name] a brother or sister? it must be lonely for them?" or "it's too bad [delightful devil child] is an only baby, when are you two going to give him/her a sister?" I'll admit I was thankful that I was only asked BY EVERY FREAKIN' PERSON when I was going to settle down and start my own family... And only twice did someone say "well [patting my shoulder and looking sadly at me], it's never too late, someday, someone will come along".
/me bangs head on desk.

I had lined up a baby for use at the reunion. But knew full well that no one else in the car would want me to be bringing a borrowed baby along for the ride.
Maybe next year I can show up with my illegitimate child and throw them for a loop.

Happy Canada Day!!!!!


and now, back to your regular scheduled blogging....
(ug. and work)

how many tags may apply to the past four days? (you're limited to 200 charachters... shoot)

gala!

tonight's a gooder.

how do you make an annual general meeting fun? (other than the fun-ness of SVFF it's self?)

Dress up with fun folks.

SVFF gala event!

Music.

Song circle...

Kicking myself that I never got around to learning some new songs.

I'VE BEEN CLONED!~!!!!

no friggin way!!! nooooo way!!!

ok... so I wondered how the odd little blogs would pop up, there had to be some way for the bots to take over random blog addresses and make them seem like real people....

I've been cloned!!!

ok, so go to the site... then click on the "view my profile" thingy..... look familiar? go look at mine.

ok, so mine's different... BUT only because I changed it last week... under favourite music????
At first I was all excited to find someone who liked so many of the same things.... then it got all
heeeeeyyyyy... wait a second!

"plan a or are we monday night?" as a band??? hello!!! that was my reference to the fact that our (at the time) band had no name! And I was pushing "plan a" as a name!

oh my.
I must be famous.

Nuit Blanche

Saturday night in the city... with a few thousand of my closest friends...

It really was a great night, and I'm still not totally sure what I liked the best there.... I'm super fond of the Arts Counsel stuff- all textiles, very interesting... the wall hanging that I thought was a mosaic to look like a pebbled stream... ended up being made of felted wools, the two sided wall hanging of a garden, the vase like felted creatures... I loved the giant aquarium, the tables floating behind the car-sized fish. The music and smells, the carpeted walkway, the photos, the paintings, the pom poms... the sculptures... the camp tent.
So much to take in, and we barely finished a third of the art out there...
While standing under the "lobotomy's $300" sign, I noticed a familiar face... but couldn't place it... I stared for a bit, then turned around and asked my friend, as I asked, I knew... and I hissed... "that's Andrew Younghusband!"
Sadly, I hissed too loudly, he looked up on hearing his name and melted into the night...
just as well, I would have missed a lot of the art following him around for the night.

another year. 361 sleeps.

(photo credit:: scott, 2006)

it's going to take me a few days to process everything.
I've been composing and re-composing what it is that I want to say here... how it is that I'm going to unburden my brain... my heart... by writing about the events of the past week.

First... go get yourself a Toronto Star from today.... or find the CHEX archives from this past week.... (ps. I was on tv).

much love.

(what hand grown spices are they talking about?!????!)
(also... I love how the pic above makes it look like we're the only one's at the festival! cheese quote of the weekend:: "last year we had hurricane Ernesto, this year we have hurricane Sunshine" good grief!)

Bridges over Northumberland County

ok, I stole the title from Ruth....

The following link is for an on-line petition,
to name the portion of Highway 401 from Trenton to Toronto to the "Highway of Heroes" ... this is the portion of highway that all fallen soldiers travel, when they are returned home.
http://www.petitiononline.com/401Hero/
Here is a link from the local newspaper verifying this story:http://www.northumberlandtoday.com/webapp/sitepages/content.asp?contentid=663817&catname=Local%20News&classif=News%20Live

WET

although the camping was cancelled, it was for a good reason. Please pray for my friend T who's Dad just passed away, it's going to be rough for the next bit for her....

BUT... because camping is cancelled, many other things have sprung up in it's place. Including, but not limited to .... A concert tonight (never turn down the opportunity to hear two men passionate about their ukuleles), a JOB INTERVIEW Friday morning... which, as my program manager said "I hope you get it, it's doing the same job you're doing now, but you'll be able to focus on the individuals without all the extra stuff here, I'm sorry that I wasn't able to do that for you." (WOW!). BBQ Friday night with the house group rats, SVFF meeting type thingy sometime this weekend, camping in the Baltimore valley perhaps... I was told I could make pancakes on the campfire, so I may set my tent up (if the rain stops) if the rain doesn't stop, I have some movies to catch up on. A "church at our house" dinner, three mornings to sleep in, the possibility to go pick up my Flemish giant bunny (wondering if I should wait for the next litter as Fynn-Fynn isn't fixed yet) And hopefully a visit to Kaw and Caleb who are home from China for the month.
PHEW!!!
There's more, but it's slipped my mind.


ok, so this isn't one of the guys, but for those of you mocking the uke.....

and more

in following with yesterday's post::

here's an excerpt from my favorite section of our local paper... It's the part I look forward to the most each day....

TODAY IN HISTORY (July 11th- I held on to this one...)

1919 - Six carloads of Gypsies showed up in Cobourg. Gypsy caravans had been a common sight, but now, automobiles had driven their wagons off the roads, so the Gypsies switched to cars too. They were still met with distrust. When one gypsy began to tell fortunes, Chief Ruse escorted the bunch out of town.

(lol, now they pay them to come to the waterfront festival?)

1935 - The Superior Store on Ontario Street in Port Hope had Aylmer peas on sale (who records this stuff?????) two tins for 21 cents. Sunkist oranges were 25 cents a dozen.



so, I'm thinking of heading down to the archive place to see what other gems I can dig up!!!

summer sounds

This weekend was the big "Soiree Au Revoir" for the Sheff's house... It's not sold yet, and after this weekend's activities, I think there's more sadness to it's sale... it's just a matter of time.

Everything went off without a hitch, and I spent some time just taking it all in.
I watched and I listened.

The campfire's pop, Melwood strumming, singing... the brat pack's giggles and Jacky's rumbling, people resting... enjoying each other's company, crickets, poetry, a small tousled head poking out from a sleeping bag, clinking of glasses .... fireflies playing in the willow branches.

summer.
♥

winter spring summer fall

a season for everything.

I hate change. Even when it's good for me.

Bus from the double hockey sticks...

you know those dreams where you're crashing.. or falling, or someone's chasing you? and you can't breathe? And your heart is pounding.. and you have to look away, but you can't look away, because if you do... well, you know you'll die instantly...
I had one of those days the other day.
You think it's going to be all fun and games when you get on the bus and the driver is introducing herself and singing along at the top of her lungs to some Dixie Chicks.. When your driver laughs a lot and talks about how she's been working a lot of hours, she only does charters... and jokes about whatever....
The people at the beginning of most horror films think they're starting a fun day too... at the beginning of the movie.

Then you notice your bus lurching from side to side....
Then you notice the cars you're flying past... the cars you're passing by inches... not inches from the side of you.. but inches from your bumper. You're tailgating... and passing at an incredible speed.... And then you notice the driver using her left foot on the gas and brake... the right taking a little break over in the aisle. Then the phone calls start... and the text messaging on the 401... and you start to think to yourself... "hmmm, I sure wish I'd written a will before I left the house today"

oops

ok.. feeling better, and, the "avoid the computer" experiment is over too. All is better with the world.

So much better... that I realise what I forgot to do... I forgot to write about the Hoot... Which is odd, because I'm pretty sure I blogged about it the MINUTE I got home last year... and talked about it incessantly afterwards... This year... it only got the incessant talk-up.

Hootenanny '07 was fantastic! A slightly different line up from last year, but with most of the old crew returning... missing was Oh Suzanna! and a few others.... but the addition of Jim Bryson made up for it....
So what the heck is the Hoot? Like the "good ol'days" music, groups of crazy people outdoing and joining in on each other's music, this is the best explanation I could find for what happened Good Friday night at the Lawless gallery...::

What: Carolyn Mark’s Western Hootenanny Revue. Why: It’s like an alt-country
Muppet Show hosted by a belligerent saloon mistress **

The music jumped and swayed, the people clapped and laughed.. there were kazoos of sorts.. there was yelling and stomping... there was a fawn, a gas mask, a circus, an eggplant, a drum, several guitars, mandolin, a saw, a bass... and people rotated from one to another in the fantastic dance known as the Hoot.

Sigh... 360 odd days to go till next year's.

**stolen from Urban Trendz Mag.