Rainy days and Mondays don't really get me down but a foggy Friday might.
It's looking kind of dreary outside right now. I know that it's early though, it could change. The sun could burn off the fog, it could get nice and warm and I could spend the biggest chunk of this afternoon on the deck.
Overall, I haven't minded that the weather has been sort of poopy for mini-holiday. We've been out doing stuff that hasn't really required nice weather. We had some sunshine and niceness in Montreal earlier this week so I can't really ask for more than that. Well, actually, I can always ask but I don't expect more than that.
Last night, Mark and I stumbled upon a really good documentary on IFC. It was called I, Curmudgeon and we really enjoyed it. I think we enjoyed it so much because the folks being interviewed in the film were saying things that we say all the time. We both identified a lot with these people who I guess are considered curmudgeonly but to me, just sounded smart and realistic. If you happen to see it pop up in your tv listings, it's definitely worth stopping for.
Anyway, I have a friend coming over for coffee in a while and the house is a bit of a disaster so I think I'll go and tidy up a bit. Here's a lovely video for a Friday morning. It took me right back to the early 90's again. Aaah...memories...
Friday, July 06, 2007
Thursday, July 05, 2007
another good mail day
My good parcel of good music arrived today from Good Records in Dallas.
In additon to the CD (which came with this spiffy patch and a DVD), I also received the double LP version of the Fragile Army and a signed poster. I'd forgotten about the poster! it was an awesome surprise.
Today was a quiet day. Mark was up in the night last night, seriously sick to his stomach. I made him stay home from work today and he got caught up on his sleep. He's feeling much better now, thank goodness. I'm sure he'll sleep like a log tonight.
The other night, I took a couple of videos at the spree show. My camera does quicktime movies. Both videos are too large for me to upload on my you tube account. If anyone has any suggestions for free software which can be used to either edit these or convert them into a format that is a little more youtube friendly, could ya leave me a comment?
In additon to the CD (which came with this spiffy patch and a DVD), I also received the double LP version of the Fragile Army and a signed poster. I'd forgotten about the poster! it was an awesome surprise.
Today was a quiet day. Mark was up in the night last night, seriously sick to his stomach. I made him stay home from work today and he got caught up on his sleep. He's feeling much better now, thank goodness. I'm sure he'll sleep like a log tonight.
The other night, I took a couple of videos at the spree show. My camera does quicktime movies. Both videos are too large for me to upload on my you tube account. If anyone has any suggestions for free software which can be used to either edit these or convert them into a format that is a little more youtube friendly, could ya leave me a comment?
Wednesday, July 04, 2007
yeah
wow.
the spree were great. awesome even.
just before we left for Montreal I found out that the show was moving from the Metropolis to the Spectrum. I wasn't sure if this was a good thing or a bad thing.
When we arrived at the club, there was a tiny little line up to get in. St Catherines street was closed in front of the club because of the Jazz Festival so it was a strange environment. It was pleasant though, we stood around watching people wander by, en masse toward the festival stages. Not having to deal with cars was a nice change too.
The doors were supposed to open at 7 but I don't think we got into the club until close to 8. When we walked in, we discovered that the Spectrum is about half the size of the Metropolis. Not good, not for the band anyway. I wandered upstairs to find the ladies room and saw that the balcony area was closed off so the club wasn't expecting it to be too busy.
Mark and I were able to get a table very close to the stage. When the show started, it was very easy for me to get down to the front of the crowd and take some photos. I really wish that I had taken my Nikon with me. I was worried that they may be checking bags at the door so I left it at the hotel. I was worried for nothing, they didn't check anyone. Of course, had I brought it with me, they would have. Oh well, some of the shots I got were okay. My Olympus isn't great in low light conditions.
Despite the smaller crowd, the show was amazing. really amazing. A lovely young lady from California opened the show. Her name is Jesca Hoop and she sang with an acoustic guitar. I thought that her voice was absolutely lovely and I look forward to hearing her album when it's out this September.
Jesca stood at the very front of the stage, in front of a piece of red fabric which had been stretched to cover the entire stage. After she was finished and the spree were ready to start, the lyrics to "Gimme Some Truth" were flashed across the red fabric as the song played on the PA. At the end of the song, you could see scissors cutting away at the fabric, making a heart shape. Eventually, the fabric was cut into two pieces, revealing the band on stage. It was a great start to their set!
Personally, I thought that the sound in the club was a little too loud (my ears are still ringing right now) and the mix wasn't great. Having said that, the joy, enthusiasm and energy that the Polyphonic Spree displayed, and the frenzy they were able to work the 400+ crowd into was authentic. Having seen them before only in a festival type environment, where they played an abbreviated set, I wasn't quite sure what to expect for a full-on spree show. It was just plain fun. They are a joy to watch, they played all of my favourites (including Soldier Girl!) and they definitely left me feeling satisfied.
I think it's a shame that the place wasn't packed to the rafters... or that the Metropolis wasn't packed to the rafters. Perhaps it was having to compete with the Jazz festival that made for the low numbers. I'm not sure. What I know is that a lot folks missed out on an experience. Sound issues aside, this was a musical extravaganza that I know I won't soon forget and I don't think anyone else who was in that room last night will either.
the spree were great. awesome even.
just before we left for Montreal I found out that the show was moving from the Metropolis to the Spectrum. I wasn't sure if this was a good thing or a bad thing.
When we arrived at the club, there was a tiny little line up to get in. St Catherines street was closed in front of the club because of the Jazz Festival so it was a strange environment. It was pleasant though, we stood around watching people wander by, en masse toward the festival stages. Not having to deal with cars was a nice change too.
The doors were supposed to open at 7 but I don't think we got into the club until close to 8. When we walked in, we discovered that the Spectrum is about half the size of the Metropolis. Not good, not for the band anyway. I wandered upstairs to find the ladies room and saw that the balcony area was closed off so the club wasn't expecting it to be too busy.
Mark and I were able to get a table very close to the stage. When the show started, it was very easy for me to get down to the front of the crowd and take some photos. I really wish that I had taken my Nikon with me. I was worried that they may be checking bags at the door so I left it at the hotel. I was worried for nothing, they didn't check anyone. Of course, had I brought it with me, they would have. Oh well, some of the shots I got were okay. My Olympus isn't great in low light conditions.
Despite the smaller crowd, the show was amazing. really amazing. A lovely young lady from California opened the show. Her name is Jesca Hoop and she sang with an acoustic guitar. I thought that her voice was absolutely lovely and I look forward to hearing her album when it's out this September.
Jesca stood at the very front of the stage, in front of a piece of red fabric which had been stretched to cover the entire stage. After she was finished and the spree were ready to start, the lyrics to "Gimme Some Truth" were flashed across the red fabric as the song played on the PA. At the end of the song, you could see scissors cutting away at the fabric, making a heart shape. Eventually, the fabric was cut into two pieces, revealing the band on stage. It was a great start to their set!
Personally, I thought that the sound in the club was a little too loud (my ears are still ringing right now) and the mix wasn't great. Having said that, the joy, enthusiasm and energy that the Polyphonic Spree displayed, and the frenzy they were able to work the 400+ crowd into was authentic. Having seen them before only in a festival type environment, where they played an abbreviated set, I wasn't quite sure what to expect for a full-on spree show. It was just plain fun. They are a joy to watch, they played all of my favourites (including Soldier Girl!) and they definitely left me feeling satisfied.
I think it's a shame that the place wasn't packed to the rafters... or that the Metropolis wasn't packed to the rafters. Perhaps it was having to compete with the Jazz festival that made for the low numbers. I'm not sure. What I know is that a lot folks missed out on an experience. Sound issues aside, this was a musical extravaganza that I know I won't soon forget and I don't think anyone else who was in that room last night will either.
Tuesday, July 03, 2007
Sunday, July 01, 2007
I saw the ship come sailing in
Happy Canada Day to you all of you hosers and hoser wannabees out there!!
I hope you either had or are having a really great day today.
We've had a good one so far. For some reason I can't quite put my finger on, we were both up very early this morning. We ended up going out for breakfast in Napanee and then took a nice drive back into town via the lakeshore. The morning sunshine on the lake was gorgeous this morning, it felt like a very Canadian thing to see.
We're not going downtown to see the fireworks tonight. I can already hear the kids in the neighbourhood letting firecrackers go off so I'm sure that we'll be able to see lots of colour from our porch later on and it doesn't quite get much better than that!
I hope you either had or are having a really great day today.
We've had a good one so far. For some reason I can't quite put my finger on, we were both up very early this morning. We ended up going out for breakfast in Napanee and then took a nice drive back into town via the lakeshore. The morning sunshine on the lake was gorgeous this morning, it felt like a very Canadian thing to see.
We're not going downtown to see the fireworks tonight. I can already hear the kids in the neighbourhood letting firecrackers go off so I'm sure that we'll be able to see lots of colour from our porch later on and it doesn't quite get much better than that!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)