July 14, 2005

Moving

Over the next week I will be moving my blog to a new server - hopefully it won't be too bumpy of a ride. I have signed up with 2mhost.

I am not a visually creative person - anyone have a lead on some nice not-too-expensive or free movable type templates? Send me suggestions at tellier at doctorblues.com

Posted by songdawg at 05:46 PM | My Life

Future Dawghouse

Hello folks! I am moving my blog to a new server. Soon I will be bringing my old blog entries over. For now if you would like to see them visit my old home at: http://www.doctorblues.com/Toby/

Posted by songdawg at 05:33 PM | Comments (0) | My Life

July 12, 2005

Carol!

Carol came to Etown - got to visit with her for a quick dinner at Wild Tangerine and a ride to the airport. I hope someday we live in the same city again.

All you dog lovers - send lots of good thoughts to Carol's dog Koel who is recovering from a ruptured disc. He's out of surgery and doing OK but still has a long road to feeling 100% ahead of him.

I am going to open up the comments so that you can send Carol and Koel a message if you would like. (Cross fingers no spammers will do their nasty comment spam thing).

UPDATE: OK - looks like the comments are not functioning - I will look into it this weekend when I get a chance.

Posted by songdawg at 08:18 PM | Comments (0) | My Life

Hostas

Can't believe how big the hostas are getting.

Posted by songdawg at 08:13 PM | My Life

July 09, 2005

Elliot Lake Entry #6

My Grandmaman Georgette Marcotte has become an amazing artist. Here she is with a set of dishes she created. I also brought home a bunch of watercolour and ink cards that she made. The painting on the wall is also one of hers.

The guy in the graduate cap is my cousin Anthony who had graduated from high school the day before.

My aunt Denise and Grandmaman helped me created this basket of roses to place at my paternal grandfather's grave. At his funeral I remember that inside his casket was pinned a pink(?) rose for every child and grandchild.

I also went to my high school reunion at Jeunesse Nord in Blind River. I wanted to reconnect with a few of my girlfriends - here's Chantal and Louise. It was so good to see you guys! Louise is as warm and open hearted as I remember - thanks for the wonderful reception - you look really happy. Unfortunately Nathalie wasn't there - hopefully everything in her life is going well. I will be seeing Chantal again soon at the Calgary Folk Fest at the end of the month.

The morning before we left a bunch of us met at Peachy's for breakfast.

Marshall, my Mom and I packed up the car and drove the Barrie. It was the night of the Live 8 concert but since we didn't have tickets we went out to a local restaurant called the Mandarin which has the biggest, freshest buffet I have ever since. It was amazingly great food - perfect way to unwind. After we went back to our hotel rooms and watched the Live 8 concert footage. Then for some unexplained reason we had to stay up and watch the Karate Kid - I didn't want the vacation to end. The next day we flew back to Edmonton from Torornto.

It's great to be away but always great to be home too.

Posted by songdawg at 10:02 AM | My Life

Elliot Lake Entry #5

The best part for me of our visit was just hanging out with family. We had such good food the whole week - I know I have gained at least five pounds. Marshall and I are really glad we went.

My uncle Guy and cousine Vicky drove up from Ottawa on this hot looking bike. Here he is after cleaning all the bugs out of his teeth. Bugs mmmmm.

Here's my uncle Guy being the bartender.

The lime wedges are cut too big.

Squeeeeeze.

My Mom, Lyne, Vicky and Denise. This is about the time the singing started. My Mom and Aunts sang all these french pop songs from when they were teenagers. It was great to listen to.

Marshall, Guy and Grandpapa. This is right before Marshall gets tricked into going for another beer run in the house.

Mon oncle Ron

Denise

Ghislaine

Lyne

Marshall coaches Guy on his first guitar chords. I have a great movie clip of us around the campfire. Marshall was playing guitar and Guy was improvising the blues - his song was great - he (drunkenly) sang to us all about the new love in his life. What a howl.

My uncle Ricky arrived the campfire night with Cathy his wife and their two kids Anthony and Megan. No pics cause it was too dark. Anthony brought his guitar and Megan has a great voice so maybe next time they will have learned a few more songs. Missing from the bunch were my cousins Aaron, Andre and Franky. Hopefully we will see you soon!

Posted by songdawg at 09:32 AM | My Life

July 06, 2005

Elliot Lake Entry #4

Then we went to the Fire Lookout where on a clear day you can see for miles (Hey Prairie dwellers - stop laughing - it's Ontario - it's not flat there :)

Town of Elliot Lake on a very humid day

Matante Lyne and Mom

Three generations

Matante Denise

Three sisters (Ghislaine, Denise and Lyne) and Mom (my Grandmaman)

Posted by songdawg at 09:20 PM | My Life

Elliot Lake Entry #3

On one of the days of our visit we were taken on a little tour of the town.

Drove by the church where I was baptised and where I had my first communion.

Visited Romeo the Cockatoo at Deby's Pet Store.

Drove by the house where I first lived.

Drove by the house where my Grandmere and Grandpere Tellier lived. It used look a lot better. They loved gardening and had such beautiful roses.

We later lived a couple of houses up the street from them - I was very lucky to live so close to both sets of grandparents.

Here is where my Grandmaman and Grandpere Marcotte lived - just one street over.

They had a huge yard that overlooked a forest of Maple trees. They had an outdoor cooking spot setup where in the spring we would make maple syrup. I loved dripping it on the snow then taking a stick and winding it up to make a maple popsicle. So good.

We also visited the cemetary where some of my relatives were buried.

Leo - my Grandmaman Marcotte's brother.

My paternal grandfather - he passed away when I was 7.

My great-grandparents.

Posted by songdawg at 09:03 PM | My Life

July 04, 2005

Elliot Lake Entry #2

In Alberta, selling alcohol is privatized but in Ontario to get your favourite brew you just head on down to The Beer Store.

Hanging out at my Aunt Lyne and Uncle Ron's house. Here's my Grandmaman, cousin Melanie and Grandpere.

Ma tante Denise and ma tante Lyne.

Mon oncle Ron, Grandmaman and Melanie.

Marshall hanging back and soaking up the vacation vibe.

Cass - the busiest dog ever - checking out the passersby.

Melanie is a massage therapist in Elliot Lake. I haven't seen her in so long - not since she was a kid. Here I am getting my toes done for Canada Day.

Oh Canada

Grandmaman and Grandpere. Grandpere had a stroke 1.5 years ago but is doing really well.

Going for a swim in Elliot Lake.

Mom and Mel

Posted by songdawg at 11:06 AM | My Life

Elliot Lake Entry #1

Marshall and I are back from Northern Ontario where we visited some of my family. We had a great time and over the next few days I will try to post pictures up.

We left Edmonton in the morning and landed in Toronto in the afternoon where we transferred to the plane that would take us to Sudbury where my mom and my Aunt Denise would pick us up.

Marshall hates flying and almost turned back when he saw how tiny the plane was.

Lots of big hugs from my Mom, Denise and uncle Norm when they picked us up. We hopped into their car and went to Swiss Chalet for dinner. Then we headed to their place in Espanola. Here's the Sudbury Superstack and surrounding slag. Nice huh.

The next day we got up and headed off to Elliot Lake (Norm stayed to work- he works in the town paper mill - he later joined us in Elliot Lake).

Along the Trans-Canada highway there are tourist stops that sell a strange mix of handcrafted native art and moccasins and Canadian tourist gifts - we stopped at the Serpent River Trading Post for a bit.

This is a picture of downtown Elliot Lake taken from outside our hotel room in the Algo Centre. This is the town I was born in and lived in until the end of the third grade.

It was great to go back and see family - some that I haven't seen in 15 years.

Posted by songdawg at 10:13 AM | My Life

June 21, 2005

Counting

Only three more days until a weekend full of mountains, music and relaxing:

Canadian Rockies Bluegrass Festival

Posted by songdawg at 10:37 PM | My Life

Retreat

This past weekend I took the time to go on the Light of the Dhamma meditation retreat. It was exactly what I needed - things at this end have been so hectic - I thought my shoulders were permanently tense but with a little time and lots of Metta I feel a lot better and more calm. It was great to see Venerable Punnaji again - his Dhamma talks are so fine and clear - I learn so much from him.

Also sitting with the wonderful folks I have met over the years in this group was again inspirational. Whenever I would start wavering in my practice I would just look around the room and be inspired to dig deeper. I really apprecate everyone who was there and how dedicated and kind they are.

One of my favourite moments was hearing Ven. Punnaji chant a buddhist blessing and say with such an open heart: "May you all be well, comfortable, peaceful and happy. Sadu, sadu, sadu." Warms my heart just to think of him.

Posted by songdawg at 09:42 PM | My Life

June 06, 2005

Absolutely Fabulous

I came verrrry close to caving in to temptation today and picking up copies of Absolutely Fabulous. It's by far my favourite television show. Yes Sweetie...Darling... it is.

Update: We went by to our local video rental place and they were selling off the old VHS for $5 each. Lucky for me I spotted a few and scooped them up. I then hooked up our tiny tv/vhs combo that used to be our tv (my laptop has a bigger screen:) to our large tv - both are playing at the same time and with the new speakers that I hooked up to the tv it's a whole new experience. Since we no longer have cable - every once in a while tv shows on dvd/vhs are a great escape

Posted by songdawg at 07:17 PM | My Life

May 29, 2005

Week-end Retreat

Meditation & Relaxation Techniques for Stress Relief from a Buddhist Perspective with Venerable Madawela Punnaji

Date: June 17 – 19, 2005
Days and times:
Friday, June 17 @ 5:30 PM (supper included) to
Sunday, June 19 Noon (lunch included)
Place: Providence Renewal Centre, 3005 - 119 St (use back entrance), Edmonton, Alberta
Fees: $195 (single accommodation, instruction & meals), $100 (non resident, includes instruction, meals)
Maximum: 18 participants. Preference will be given to full time attendees.

Registration Contact: Sheila Lennox
Sheila.lennox@assembly.ab.ca
Phone contact: (780) 433-1386
11002 University Ave, EDM AB T6G 1Y3

Please make post-dated cheques payable to Light of the Dhamma Society. (Your cheque will confirm your registration). As this retreat is on short notice, a prompt reply (prior to sending your cheque) confirming your attendance would be appreciated.

In keeping with the teaching traditions, a donation for the monk is not included in the registration fee. Dana (donation) for Venerable Punnaji is welcome at the retreat.

Venerable Punnaji has served in North America as a teacher of Buddhism for over 30 years and is a long-standing friend of the Light of the Dhamma Society. This weekend workshop will focus on practical techniques to help relieve stress and promote contentment.

Posted by songdawg at 10:02 AM | My Life

Cap'n Franky

My (not so little anymore) cousin Franky AKA Cap'n Franky is working up at Lake Maligne this summer. I haven't seen him for a long time - maybe we'll get a chance to see each other while he's on this side of Canada. Here is his blog:
http://spaces.msn.com/members/FrankyNomad

Posted by songdawg at 08:59 AM | My Life

May 18, 2005

Garden photos

Iris

Prairie Crocus

Posted by songdawg at 08:37 PM | My Life

Sunday Brunch

Sunday brunch at Matahari's.

Posted by songdawg at 08:34 PM | My Life

May 15, 2005

Frix

Met up with Ron Graham on Friday for our traditional monthly Friday after work get together at Chances Restaurant for a glass of Geyser Peak and some delicious beef skewers. This week we had lots to catch up on so we ended up having a couple glasses of wine and trying the beet and goat cheese with dill appetizer (pictured). Despite our skepticism it was very good. Here's to good friends.

Posted by songdawg at 07:59 PM | My Life

May 07, 2005

Spring

Finally some green. I think spring might be here.

Posted by songdawg at 05:27 PM | My Life

May 03, 2005

ACL

Looks like I have an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tear in my left knee and maybe a meniscus tear as well. Good one heh! No exciting story - I was rushing around setting up my gear on stage and stood up too fast at a funny angle and pop. I have trouble straightening my leg, tenderness, swelling and my knee feels locked. I have been hobbling around for the last week and it's getting much better but still feels quite unstable. Seeing my chiropractor was very helpful - I felt like my knee was finally back in place - what a relief! Tonight I am going to get a massage - hopefully that will increase the blood flow and help with the healing. And I left a message at the yoga studio that I go to. I am hoping one of the teachers can help me with a yoga rehab plan. Other than that lots of ice and ibuprofin.

I am going back to see the orthopedic surgeon later in May to decide if I want to have an operation to fix it or not. While I don't want an unstable knee and the chance for reinjury for the rest of my life, I am also not sure about having surgery. Lots to think about.

Posted by songdawg at 06:35 AM | My Life

April 30, 2005

John's Memorial

Today at 10:30 am is John's memorial. I put on some Sister Rosetta Tharpe - currently playing is Ain't Gonna Study War No More.

One of John's favourite songs was Old Chunk of Coal.

Old Chunk of Coal
Hey I'm just an old chunk of coal but I'm gonna be a diamond some day
I'm gonna grow and glow till I'm so blue pure perfect
I'm gonna put a smile on everybody's face
I'm gonna kneel and pray every day lest I should become vain along the way
I'm just an old chunk of coal now Lord but I'm gonna be a diamond some day

I'm gonna learn the best way to walk gonna search and find a better way to talk
I'm gonna spit and polish my old rough edged self till I get rid of every single flaw
I'm gonna be the world's best friend gonna go round shaking everybody's hand
I'm gonna be the cotton pickin' rage of the age I'm gonna be a diamond some day

It's sad saying goodbye. John - take care of yourself wherever you are.

Posted by songdawg at 07:49 AM | My Life

April 18, 2005

John Wilds

Marshall was at the Homestead Studio this weekend recording his new acoustic blues CD with John Wilds on harmonica and Russell Jackson on bass. Sam Stevens was also there helping out and lending support. Marshall and John have been gearing up to this weekend for awhile now - honing their material and becoming great friends.

Unfortunately on Saturday during the recording session, John Wilds suddenly and unexpectedly passed away. He will be greatly missed and always in our prayers.

For information on his memorial service please contact the Lendrum Mennonite Church at (780) 989-5358.

UPDATE: John's memorial will at the Lendrum Mennonite Brethren Church
at 11210 59 Ave., Edmonton, AB, T6H 1G3 on Saturday, April 30th, 2005.

Sam wrote about the day he passed away - thanks Sam for helping him and us.

Posted by songdawg at 07:27 PM | Comments (0) | My Life

New camera lens

I bought a telephoto camera lens for my digital camera and wanted to test it out as soon as I got to my car. These seagulls were across a parking lot. Feels like summer is coming. Funny that there are seagulls in a land locked city.

Posted by songdawg at 07:17 PM | My Life

Buddha for our house

Posted by songdawg at 07:08 PM | My Life

April 10, 2005

Woodbend site

Should have been practising but instead was puttering on the Woodbend website. www.woodbendbluegrass.com is coming soon.

Next weekend Sam Stevens and Russell Jackson are coming in to help record Marshall's newest CD which is jammed packed with originals. Should be a great weekend.

Posted by songdawg at 11:59 AM | My Life

April 02, 2005

Maurice Hackman

Message from Novayana:

Maurice Hackman passed away last night, Monday, March 28, at 10:55 p.m.
He looked peaceful and serene, his eyes were half open looking up and the staff told me he was alert and lucid all evening. I spent an hour with him before he was taken away. From what I was told by the nurse, it happened very quietly and peacefully.

Please say prayers for him.

Metta,

Don Mackenzie

There will be a Chenrezig Puja dedicated to Maurice on April 3, 2005 held at the Sinclair Residence (10819-52 Ave.) at 10:30 AM. Novayana invites all who are interested to attend.

Posted by songdawg at 10:27 AM | My Life

March 31, 2005

Sinclair, Lorraine Shirley (Deits) September 2, 1953 - March 28, 2005

In death as in life, with dignity and courage, strength and love, Lorraine Sinclair's circle of life is complete. Deits was, and will continue to be, the spiritual center of many peoples lives. Her contributions were many and far reaching. Her commitment to her immediate family and to her mother earth family will reverberate for many years to come.

Deits is survived by her mother Edna (Pierce) Sinclair, father Sam Sinclair, children Sheldon (Stacey), Caleb (Sherisse) and Kristin (Pat), siblings: Gordon (Val), Linda (Fred), Jeannette, Rod (Florence) and Rocky (Jane). She is also survived by her grandchildren Daniel, Lucas, Shayna, Sage, Jake, Kianna, Cassidy and Hailey Grace; as well as numerous relatives and friends. The family wishes to express their sincere thanks to Dr. Christine Sharek, and all staff at the Cross Cancer Institute and the Edmonton Continuing Care Centre - Unit 9Y whose kindness and support was greatly appreciated.

A wake will be held on Friday, April 1st 7:00 p.m. at the Sacred Heart Church, 10821-96 St., Edmonton.

A Memorial Service will be held at the Sacred Heart Church to honour and celebrate Lorraine's life. The service will commence at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday April 2nd, 2005. Update: There will be a potluck reception after the service.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Alberta Cancer Foundation 11560 University Avenue, Edmonton, AB T6G 1Z2.

Posted by songdawg at 06:53 AM | My Life

March 17, 2005

RIP Moimoi

Moimoi is gone - she passed away this weekend. We have had her for 6-7 years and don't know how old she was when we found her. She was a fiesty and fierce bird with a big attitude. We will miss her.

Here's a blurb that Marshall wrote about finding her:

Well you're not going to believe this tale but it's true. Toby and I went out for a nice relaxing time at a favourite Chinese Restaurant. Well, when we arrived the place was deserted except of course for the staff. The cook, as it so happens, was intently focussed on a corner table, and all in all there was a strange feel in the air. We wrote the whole thing off as an experience in another dimension. Sort of like we slid into an alternate universe.

Well, would you believe, a budgie had flown in the back door of the restaurant and the staff was trying desperately to catch this refugee bird for about an hour. So here we go joining in the merry chase. Running around the restaurant, jumping up and down, trying to catch the little scamp. Well friends our efforts were rewarded. We caught the little dickens and now it lives with us. This puts an entirely different meaning to the meal "birds nest soup".

Anyway, we named it "MoiMoi", which means "little sister" in Cantonese. And that's the end of my tale. Believe it or not. It could only happen to Toby and me.

Posted by songdawg at 06:46 AM | My Life

January 13, 2005

It's cold

Today .. Sunny. High minus 27.
Tonight .. Clear. Low minus 34.
Friday .. Sunny. Wind becoming west 20 km/h in the morning. High minus 21. Extreme wind chill minus 41.

No time to blog... I am spending all my energy on keeping warm.

Posted by songdawg at 06:20 AM | My Life

December 24, 2004

Christmas Atkins

It's Holiday party time. On Wednesday we went to the NBCMS Christmas party. I was pretty low energy so we went home after visiting for a bit. Last night we went to a co-worker's house for a get together - it was fun - good tunes, drinks, pizza and pool. We played a fun game towards the end so that more people could play. Everyone picked a token to get a number (1-16) and kept it hidden. The person whose ball is the last one on the table wins. If you were lucky enough to get #16 you automatically win since there are only 15 balls. So everyone takes a turn shooting, if you sink someone's ball they are out. It was a fun evening and reminded me how much I love to play pool. Oh and the Soy Nog was good but I still on the fence about the Nog and Screech.

I am fully enjoying having today off. I did get out of pjs to go buy some supplies (food, wine and books) but came home as quickly as possible - it is a zoo out there! Last night Shannon and Dixon were at the party and told us about their experience with the Atkins diet (he lost 48 lbs and they both have more energy). The idea of eating all that meat grosses me out but sounds like heaven to Marshall. So I bought him some books (Atkins Essentials/ Dr. Atkins New Diet Revolution /Atkins Shopping Guide Bundle ) for him to read. I got a copy of the Low-Carb Vegetarian, I just can't wrap my head around eating so much meat. And I have allergies to eggs, pork, shrimp, scallops and cashews which are all great sources of protein. I guess I will just have to read up and see what it is about.

I also picked up a copy of SQL Server 2000 Stored Procedures & XML for some light holiday reading and playing.

So back to my sitting and reading while sipping green tea and munching on chocolates (Non-atkins I am sure). Tonight we carry on the holiday tradition of popcorn and a movie at the local cinema. The last few years has been an easy pick - Lord of the Ring. This year is a compromise. I want to see Meet the Fockers or Spanglish and Marshall wants to see Blade 3 so we compromised on Nicholas Cage in National Treasure. Nice to have traditions even if they are unorthodox :)

Oh and if you can go see The Incredibles - it's a great fun movie. We went on a night when there were a lot of kids and it was great to hear 200+ kids giggling.

Posted by songdawg at 02:05 PM | My Life

December 11, 2004

MLB Road Trip

It's been waaaay too long since M went on a road trip. He's off to Calgary to play some blues. I am kicking back with a cup of coffee and popping in a DVD that came in the mail this week: Rufus Reid - The Evolving Bassist

Posted by songdawg at 09:26 AM | My Life

December 07, 2004

Quote

"There is very little that cannot be accomplished if you have a positive mental attitude, tons of money, and supernatural powers."

Posted by songdawg at 08:43 PM | My Life

November 29, 2004

Best books

My top 5 favourite books at the moment are:

Lilith's Brood by Octavia Butler

Darwin's Radio by Greg Bear

The Fresco by Sheri S. Tepper

The Diamond Age: Or, a Young Lady's Illustrated Primer by Neal Stephenson

Flaming Iguanas: An Illustrated Motorcycle-Girl Road Novel Thing by Erika Lopez

Posted by songdawg at 06:26 PM | Comments (0) | My Life

November 23, 2004

Webcasts are the cat's meow

Currently my favourite webpage: http://www.microsoft.com/seminar

Microsoft has offered webinars for quite awhile and I mostly try to catch them live if possible because the demo portions of the presentation never quite seemed to work when played on demand. Over the last while they have fixed this and the demos work smoothly. Great way to keep up to date - geek movies :)

Posted by songdawg at 06:02 PM | My Life

November 11, 2004

Lest We Forget

This about sums up my feelings around Remembrance Day: I'll Be Wearing A Poppy This Year.

History of the Poppy and Remembrance Day: http://www.canoe.ca/RemembranceDay/poppy.html

The new Poppy Coin: http://www.mint.ca/poppy/home.asp

Posted by songdawg at 10:08 AM | My Life

October 27, 2004

Hummer Revenge

Hummer Revenge

Posted by songdawg at 08:01 PM | My Life

October 13, 2004

Deana may you be well, comfortable, peaceful and happy

Last night my friend Deana Dufresne passed away. She was a beautiful, vibrant person and greatly loved. May she be well, comfortable, peaceful and happy. Deana with Kaity and Mady Sept 2004 Deana's memorial service will be held on Saturday, October 16 at 11:30 a.m. at Park Memorial Chapel, 9709 - 111 Avenue. In lieu of other tributes, donations may be made to the University Hospital Foundation, 1H1.91 WMC, 8440 - 112 Street, Edmonton, AB T6G 2B7. To send condolences, visit www.parkmemorial.com

Posted by songdawg at 06:23 PM | My Life

October 06, 2004

Lion's Breath

Last weekend I drove up to Bragg Creek for the fall FAMI workshop. It was a beautiful weekend to get together and be surrounded by music - I woke up to music, went to workshops and jammed and fell asleep to music. It was a good way to end the summer. Last night I used the pass that I got from volunteering at the EFMF to take a yoga class at Lion's Breath Yoga Studio. I took a beginner Ashtanga class and had a good workout. The only thing is that after class I had a mixed feeling of tired and buzzed which meant I didn't fall asleep until after midnight. I feel very sleepy this morning :)

Posted by songdawg at 06:30 AM | My Life

September 28, 2004

Yogaaah... again

I quit smoking 2 years and nine months ago and feel very good about that. But one of the side effects of quitting smoking was to start eating more. Which would of probably been OK if I ended up eating more carrots and green peppers. But I had been making some really bad food choices and not exercising so I gained weight - 25lbs. Hanging out with Carol was great and inspiring - she does Bikram Yoga (hot yoga) twice a week and eats very well. So I have been watching what I eat and trying to eat more good food. And I have been doing some form of exercise every day. Mostly following Yoga and Pilates DVDs that I get from the library and I am starting to feel the difference. I don't think that I have lost weight but I do feel taller and stronger. Here's a great yoga site (http://www.yogajournal.com) - they have instructions on how to do the poses as well as some video. They also have a fantastic magazine - I am thinking of getting a subscription.

Posted by songdawg at 05:08 PM | My Life

September 09, 2004

SNOW

I can't believe it - from sandals to mittens in 4 days.

Posted by songdawg at 07:25 AM | My Life

September 05, 2004

Banjo contest

Two of my favourite banjo players getting ready for a banjo contest.

Posted by songdawg at 07:41 PM | My Life

August 17, 2004

August is the best

I love August even if it feels like the busiest month. I am so behind in my blogging (and everything else it seems). But I am having a great time. Oh and I hate junk mail... I have been getting almost 4000 spam a week in my inbox and I refuse to change my email address. I have tried spamcop and spam filters and MS outlook junk mail filters but I felt like I needed to do something even more drastic. So I installed ChoiceMail which is a spam blocker. So from now on anyone who sends me an email and who is not currently in my contacts list will need to reply to an activation email the first time they write to me. I then get to choose whether to add them to my list of friendly emailers or not. I have had it installed for almost 5 hours now and LOVE IT. I feel more in control and when I get email it is from a friend or colleague. No more bombardment of drug or porn adverts... Sigh of relief. More EFMF photos soon...

Posted by songdawg at 11:59 PM | My Life

August 06, 2004

Catching Up

August is such an amazing month - one of the busiest. Last weekend M and I had the honour of perform Kathy's and Mike's wedding ceremony. It was a beautiful ceremony and I hope they have a long and wonderful life together.

Posted by songdawg at 07:21 AM | My Life

August 04, 2004

Key to Sucess

"I don't know the key to success, but the key to failure is trying to please everybody."

—Bill Cosby

Posted by songdawg at 10:07 AM | My Life

July 23, 2004

Chip

Backyard wildlife eating a piece of apple

Posted by songdawg at 10:06 PM | My Life

July 19, 2004

Anniversary

Eight years ago today, M and I tied the knot in front of family and friends in Patsy's beautiful back yard in Kingston, ON.

Posted by songdawg at 07:16 AM | Comments (4) | My Life

July 11, 2004

Hail in July

Tornados, West Edmonton Mall ceiling caves in, Whyte Mud Freeway flooded, Hail - what next locusts? Oh I forgot that was last year... The rain and hail put a damper on our BBQ plans. But our house didn't flood and float away so that was good. Company came and we had our BBQ anyways. You know you live in Canada when... it hails in July.

Posted by songdawg at 11:49 PM | Comments (3) | My Life

July 04, 2004

E-books

I brought the birds to the vet yesterday. Moimoi had her splint removed and is healing fine. She probably won't have full use of all her toes on the foot that was broken but then again at least she has a foot - it was a bad bad break. But she is a very fiesty creature and will pull through. Gogoi lost some weight which is great since he is a little chubby. Must be all of the walking around the house he does now following us around. Looks like he has a bit of asthma or allergies - I need to pick up some children's Benadryl drops and try them out and see if it helps. Don't know if he'll like bubble gum flavour or not but then again he won't have much choice since he'll be restrained in a towel - something I am not looking forward to. He's a strong smart bird so I am sure it will be a team effort with M and I to make it happen :) In the afternoon I volunteered for the Edmonton Folk Music Fest and then puttered around the house. Nice quiet afternoon. I bought my first e-book from Amazon.com and downloaded it to my Pocket PC. Very cool - now I won't have to scrounge around for a space in the bookshelf to store my new books. Just download and go. I actually like reading with the PDA - it has a pretty high resolution so I can see a whole page of info at once and just need to press the toggle button to move to the next page. And it comes with its own light source cause the screen is lit. The books are less expensive too. So from now on I will be curling up in bed with my Pocket PC instead of paperbacks. This afternoon I am off to jam with the Wildwood Flowers in Alberta Beach. My voice is back and I am in the mood to jam!

Posted by songdawg at 12:22 PM | Comments (2) | My Life

Canada Day 2004

We finally have a gazebo up! Last March we bought a gazebo and it had been sitting in our garage in its box waiting patiently for us to get it together. Mike and Kathy came over for our gazebo-raising and stayed for a BBQ. What a difference it makes. Now we have a nice cozy spot to have BBQs and jams. Maybe I will even get some plants, lights and patio furniture to spruce it up even more. That is if the rain ever stops.

Posted by songdawg at 12:08 PM | Comments (0) | My Life

June 30, 2004

First BBQ 2004

On the menu: Alberta beef, corn on the cob, potatoes and mushrooms

To summer!

We even broke into the T.B.Q. sauce that Rog brought us last year. This is the best B.B.Q. sauce on the planet.

Posted by songdawg at 07:33 AM | Comments (0) | My Life

June 29, 2004

Day off

I have the day off - it feels so glorious not to have anything to do except putter around the house getting things done. So far today I have: Caught up on my blogging Installed a secure wireless router Surfed on my new Pocket PC from my living room couch Cleared out my closet of old clothes and donated them to the Salvation Army Caught up on my magazine subscription reading Washed dishes Did a couple of loads of laundry Went to pick up corn on the cob, potatoes, mushrooms and steaks Pulled out the BBQ so we can have our firsty BBQ of the year Now I am going to go and finish unpacking from the weekend then go dust off and fire up the Barby.

Posted by songdawg at 04:20 PM | Comments (0) | My Life

June 24, 2004

Word

From D... A husband read an article to his wife about how many words women use a day... 30,000 to the man's 15,000. The wife replied "The reason has to be because we have to repeat everything to men"...the husband turned to his wife and said " What ?" ___________________ A man said to his wife one day "I don't know how you can be so stupid and so beautiful all at the same time." The wife responded, " Allow me to explain. God made me beautiful so you would be attracted to me" God made me stupid so I'd be attracted to you." ___________________ A couple drove down a country road for several miles not saying a word. An earlier discussion had led to an argument and neither of them wanted to concede their position. A they passed a barnyard of mules, goats and pigs, the husband asked sarcastically, " Relatives of your ?" "Yep" the wife replied, "in-laws."

Posted by songdawg at 06:15 AM | Comments (0) | My Life

June 23, 2004

Wildwood Flower Bluegrass Band

The Wilwood Flower Bluegrass Band This weekend's adventure includes going to the Canadian Rockies Bluegrass Festival.

Posted by songdawg at 07:05 AM | Comments (1) | My Life

June 15, 2004

The Fiercest Little Bird

Here she is - the fiercest little bird in the house. Willing to take on the big boys. Takes a licking and keeps on ticking. When I got home and checked on her she had half of her splint soaking in her water dish. I know the instructions say to keep her splint dry. Must be hard the sit all day on one leg with the other outstretch behind you. Not fun. Here she is with her tape splint. There dried blood on it from when the vet put it in her leg. She actually ate today which I think is a great sign. M and I work together every evening to give her drops to prevent infection (yes it takes two of us). M uses his skill in catching and holding small birds (from his grad school research days) and I try to put the drop in her beak. The second night I think I even got most of it in her instead of on her. Like I said she is fierce. Gogoi better watch his back cause I have a feeling she has been spending her days plotting revenge.

Posted by songdawg at 05:16 PM | Comments (0) | My Life

June 12, 2004

Lost T

So I get home this afternoon all excited about setting up my new 120GB external hard drive that I decided to clean up the office first. As I was vaccuuming (sp?) I pulled a really really stupid move. I decided to vaccuum my laptop's keyboard. Kids do not try this at home. Keyboard without a key cause someone decided to do something stupid like vaccuum the keyboard. So I spent an hour going through the vaccuum canister's gunk trying to find the lost key. It was gross and bad news. Very bad news. Plastic gloves and garbage bags bad. I finally found it. Of course it had to be the letter T.

Posted by songdawg at 06:54 PM | Comments (1) | My Life

MoiMoi Update

Brought MoiMoi to the vet this morning - she has a really bad break. It is now in a splint - she looks very unhappy. I have to give her drops once a day which will be interesting since she isn't tame. Hopefully she will heal OK. We might have to change her name to Ms. Gimpy or MoiMoi the Gimp.

Posted by songdawg at 06:42 PM | Comments (2) | My Life

June 11, 2004

Enough for one day!

Warning: dumping ahead. Crazy day! So the plan was that we would be making our way to Slave Lake for Helen's Memorial Jam for the weekend but that didn't pan out. I feel so sad that I am not there. So I was working tonight (which went really well thank goodness) when I got a phone call from my sweetie. I guess I forgot to close MoiMoi the budgie's cage this morning after feeding her. M was screaming in the phone about giving him the vet's number cause there was blood all over. MoiMoi flew out of her cage and as she loves to do flew to GoiGoi our amazon parrot who is about 25 times bigger than MoiMoi. She probably landed on his cage and he bit her leg. We couldn't get her to a vet tonight but have an appointment at 9:45 AM. Her leg look terrible and I just got finished cleaning up - I am surprised she survived. She is in the bedroom which is quiet and away from the noise. I hope she lives through the night. Goigoi is all wired and weirded out too. On my home from work I stopped at a walkin clinic to get the pain in my side checked out - turns out it's probably either a kidney infection or kidney stones. I am hoping for the infection. I just took another couple of ibuprofin and after this blog am crashing. I am feeling burnt out and feeling very bad about MoiMoi. So big day tomorrow - vet then medical lab. And here I thought I would be jamming all weekend.

Posted by songdawg at 11:00 PM | Comments (0) | My Life

June 03, 2004

Apples

Our apple tree is in full bloom - looks like we are going to have an amazing harvest this year.

Posted by songdawg at 07:15 AM | Comments (0) | My Life

May 30, 2004

Even more Bragg Creek 2004 photos

Photos from Jeannette. Here are pictures from the Sunday night student concert. I am sorry that we didn't get a photo of Jeannette in her class. Al's bass class - can you spot him? Augie's banjo class Sheila's guitar class My big break Jamming til the very end - it is such a great weekend that we didn't want it to end.

Posted by songdawg at 08:45 AM | Comments (1) | My Life

May 27, 2004

Best Dressed Bass

It's finally here! Got my Colorado Case bass case today! The embroidery looks great and I am quite impressed with how well it protects my bass. It's a little on the loose side but is going to work out great. I haven't tried the backpack straps out yet the wheel kicks butt. Thanks to everyone at Colorado Cases for helping me out.

Posted by songdawg at 09:48 PM | Comments (1) | My Life

May 20, 2004

Spring

Went for lunch yesterday with Jones and a few co-workers to Bua Thai. Good to catch up. We stopped to smell the roses blossoms. It think spring is finally springing.

Posted by songdawg at 07:19 AM | Comments (0) | My Life

May 18, 2004

Awareness

Don't prolong the past Don't invite the future Don't alter your innate awareness Don't fear appearances Apart from that there is not a damn thing. - Patrul Rinpoche

Posted by songdawg at 06:54 AM | Comments (0) | My Life

May 03, 2004

Tree Climbing Dog

I went to a Sinclair BBQ on Saturday - there was of course lots of food, great folks and jamming. I had a a great time - here's Fletcher the Wonder Dog climbing the tree to retrieve a baseball. Cool moves.

Posted by songdawg at 07:39 AM | Comments (0) | My Life

Gogoi Singing

That bird cracks me up. Here he is singing his heart out. Want to hear what he sounds like? Here's an old blog entry.

Posted by songdawg at 07:33 AM | Comments (0) | My Life

April 28, 2004

Sinful Delights

Sinful Delights On May 2nd from 1 till 5pm, The Canadian Mental Health Association are launching Mental Health week with a fundraiser called "Sinful Delights". It will be an afternoon of indulgent pampering for women, to de-stress themselves and have some fun. The theme will be the link between physical well-being and good mental health. Tickets: $25 each or 10 for $200. All proceeds will go towards the Canadian Mental Health Association. Call Lyn at 414-6312 for ticket information. Each ticket includes lunch. I believe they will be serving chicken as the main course, and chocolate covered strawberries for dessert. May 2, 2004 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. The Ballroom, Sutton Place Hotel Edmonton Tickets: $25 each or a table of 10 for $200 An afternoon featuring: Pilates demonstration Hair and skin care Gift ideas Pampering in all forms Neck and upper back massage Nail art with air brushing Temple Kung Fu Demonstration Chocolate fountain And much, much, more. All proceeds will be used to provide support and services for individuals coping with mental illness and to promote mental health in all of its forms! A fundraising afternoon brought to you by: The Canadian Mental Health Association Edmonton Region Call 414-6312 for tickets or information

Posted by songdawg at 07:34 AM | Comments (1) | My Life

April 25, 2004

Hello

Last weekend's Music From The Heart was an amazing event. The Sinclair family is really an amazing family and it was very heartwarming to see a community pull together to support on of their own. I am off to jam with Les and George then off for dinner with the Inlaws. I can't believe the weekend is almost over.

Posted by songdawg at 12:40 PM | Comments (0) | My Life

April 21, 2004

Save Canadian Music

In March 2005, the Department of Canadian Heritage's contract with FACTOR (The Foundation To Assist Canadian Talent On Record) expires, and without this program being renewed, the Canadian Music Industry is in serious jeopardy. This expiration of funds will affect absolutely every facet of the music industry in Canada. For ways you can get involved, visit Save Canadian Music

Posted by songdawg at 07:05 AM | Comments (1) | My Life

April 16, 2004

TGIF

TGIF

Practice last night with the Gals... I think all of the hard work might be paying. I love singing with those Flars... looks like we might be perform at the Fiddler's Roost on Saturday and then perform at the Music From The Heart benefit on Sunday. Fun Fun Fun. Oh yeah, and can't forget to fill out taxes on Saturday.

Posted by songdawg at 07:36 AM | Comments (0) | My Life

April 14, 2004

White stuff

The ground is covered in snow again ... I won't put a picture up cause I am too lethargic. I have fallen asleep at 9 for the last two nights and still feel like I am dragging. Hiberbating? Post-party depression? Anemia? Lack of exercise? Well, I'll figure it out later. I am off to slog through 130 emails that accumulated in my mailbox. Ten years ago I was very much into Writing Down the Bones and Wild Mind: Living the Writer's Life by Natalie Goldberg and Live '88 by Shawn Colvin.

Posted by songdawg at 07:08 AM | Comments (0) | My Life

April 12, 2004

Changing Strings

A first - I changed the strings on my bass by myself. Aren't I Ms. Independent?

Posted by songdawg at 11:31 AM | Comments (1) | My Life

Sidetrack Marquee

Sidetrack Marquee On Thursday morning Sam, Cheryl-Ann and Marshall left early to head off to the A-Channel's Big Breakfast. My Mom and I made some breakfast in our pjs and turned the TV on. Marshall sounded great playing Rooster Blues on his National Steel guitar (Rosalita:). Didn't get a chance to tape it so if anyone has a copy let me know!

Posted by songdawg at 10:57 AM | Comments (1) | My Life

Wednesday - Pre-party

On Wednesday, we picked up Sam and Mom at the airport. After lots of big hugs we dropped everything off and headed off for dinner at The Oriental Veggie House (10586 - 100 Street). We had mock-meat dishes made of wheat gluten and soy: Lemon "Chicken", "Chicken" Ball Hot Pot and "Spareribs" (which were the fav of the evening). Marshall and Sam Mom and Me It was great having a nice quiet dinner and gearing up for the next day... to be continued.

Posted by songdawg at 10:44 AM | Comments (2) | My Life

Phew... Catch up on blogging

Well, the party's over and was a great success. Everyone has gone home and I am taking sometime to catch up on email and blogging. It's been a great weekend! And, I just bought 2 tickets to see Rev. Al Green at the Jubilee in June for Jazz City. Happy Easter! For Sam - here's the bunny who hangs out under our tree in out front yard. He did eat the apple!

Posted by songdawg at 10:14 AM | Comments (2) | My Life

April 05, 2004

Inner Peace for Busy Women

Excerpt from Inner Peace for Busy Women: Balancing Work, Family, and Your Inner Life by Joan Z. Borysenko "The parable was written in the mid-1400s, and it’s called The Wedding of Sir Gawain and Dame Ragnell. Allow me to paraphrase it for you: One day King Arthur was out hunting. He’d just killed a stag with his mighty bow, when a menacing knight emerged from the bushes. The knight, Sir Gomer Somer, accused King Arthur of taking his lands and giving them to Sir Gawain, one of the Knights of the Round Table. Sir Gomer Somer was in full armor and outfitted for the kill, but the rules of knightly conduct prevented him from slaying the unarmored king. Instead, he offered Arthur a deal: “Come back here just as you are, 12 months exactly from this day, and if you give me the correct answer to this question—‘What does a woman want?’—I’ll spare your life. Otherwise, I’ll cut off your head.” By knightly rules of chivalry, King Arthur had no recourse but to accept the challenge. He rode back to the castle perplexed and sorrowful, but his good friend, Sir Gawain, pledged his help. They decided to ride out in different directions and ask every man and woman they met the answer to the question. All the answers were recorded in books each man kept, which quickly grew very large. Some people thought that women wanted beautiful clothes. Others talked of marriage, courtship, or lusty affairs. By this time, 11 months had passed. King Arthur was getting desperate, for he knew in his heart that he and Gawain had not found the correct answer. He decided to seek wisdom in the heart of Inglewood Forest, where he had a strange and distressing encounter with the ugliest woman he’d ever seen. She was truly a hideous marvel—with a nose running streams of snot, a mouth full of snaggleteeth as big as a boar’s, filmy eyes that bulged like balls, a hunchback, shoulders as large as boulders, a body like a giant barrel, hair like a bird’s nest, and breasts that the author describes as being a load for a horse. There were simply no words sufficient to describe how repellent she appeared. Yet this ugly woman sat upon a horse fitted out with gold and jewels, a mount suitable for a queen. With utmost confidence, she introduced herself as Dame Ragnell. She knew every detail of Arthur’s quest, and of his sure death if he failed to answer the question of what women truly wanted. She offered the king a difficult bargain. She was willing to tell him the answer to the question and stop his head from rolling. But in return, she wanted the handsome, courtly, chivalrous, morally upright, and absolutely sterling-in-every-way Sir Gawain as a husband. King Arthur was horrified for his friend, but agreed to put the bargain to him and return with an answer. Arthur described the strange encounter to Gawain, thinking that he’d be better off killing himself than consigning his friend to such a terrible fate as marrying the hideous Dame Ragnell. But Gawain was the soul of knightly virtue. He knew that almost a year of asking the question, “What does a woman want?” hadn’t yielded the correct answer. The chivalrous knight insisted that he would marry the hag to get the answer and save the king’s life. In just a few days, King Arthur was due to meet Sir Gomer Somer. He’d either have an answer to the vexing question, or he’d surely lose his head. On the way to the fateful meeting with his destiny, Dame Ragnell was waiting for him in the woods as promised. When she’d been assured that Sir Gawain would take her for his bride, she answered the question. It isn’t beauty, pleasure, sex, or many husbands that women desire, she explained. We want to be seen as fresh and young, as innocent. But more than that, what women really want is sovereignty—we want the same mastery over ourselves, and in our relationships with men, as a knight has in all his affairs. King Arthur rode on to his appointed meeting with Sir Gomer Somer, who was eagerly waiting to hear the wrong answer and cut off his head. The king pulled out the two books that he and Gawain had compiled. Gomer laughed, and pronounced the king a dead man. But then Arthur revealed that he had the one, true answer: A woman wants sovereignty. Sir Gomer Somer was incensed. “You’ve been talking to my sister, that hideous hag Ragnell! She’s told you the truth,” he sputtered. And on that disappointed and angry note, he let King Arthur go. The king rode off, and soon met Dame Ragnell along the way. She was ready to claim the handsome Gawain as her prize. Arthur and the hag rode back to Camelot, and into court side by side. He was ashamed and humiliated to be seen with such a hideous creature, but she was ashamed before no one. Everyone in the court craned their necks to see the awful hag with rheumy eyeballs and teeth pointing in different directions, with lips that lay like lumps upon her chin, and moles with sturdy hairs protruding. Gawain came straight out to meet them, and true to his word, pledged his troth to the ugliest woman on earth. Queen Guinevere and all the ladies of the court took one look at her and wept for the good Gawain. The other knights were horrified to hear that he would be married to the unspeakably foul creature. The ladies of the court suggested a quiet, private wedding to Dame Ragnell, to spare her the embarrassment of making a public spectacle of herself. But she wouldn’t hear of it. She wanted to be married at a High Mass with the full court in attendance. Dressed in finery that would have put Guinevere to shame, she became a bride. After the wedding, there was a big feast, and Dame Ragnell sat at the head of the table, rudely devouring everything in sight like a pig at a feeding trough. She ate like an entire army of men, using her three-inch long fingernails to carve her meat. The sight was so disgusting that no one would sit near her. After the feast, the bride and groom retired to their chambers—horror of horrors—to consummate the union. “Will you kiss me, husband?” Ragnell asked Gawain, brushing bits of meat out of her hair and off her bulbous lips. “I will do more than that, my wife,” Gawain promised. But when he turned around to reach out for her . . . there was the most beautiful woman he’d ever seen. “What are you?” he asked, in whispered bewilderment. Dame Ragnell told the story of how her wicked stepmother had cast a spell on her. She was her beautiful self by night and an ugly hag by day. She gave Gawain a choice. If he wished, she could be ugly at night and beautiful by day when other people could see her. Or she could be ugly for others by day, and beautiful for her husband between the sheets at night. “Choose what’s most important for your honor,” she told him. Gawain thought for a while, and finally replied that he couldn’t choose. It was her body, her life, her own choice, and none other’s. This he swore before God. Dame Ragnell replied that he was the best and most blessed of all knights. By giving her sovereignty, Gawain had broken the spell that her wicked stepmother had cursed her with years before. Now she could be beautiful all the time. But that’s not the end of the story. Gawain loved, honored, and cherished his wife; and together they had a son who grew up to become a Knight of the Round Table. But after five years, Dame Ragnell, the most beautiful woman in all of Britain, left her husband. Where she went and what she did is a story that’s never been told. But when we have sovereignty over ourselves, we’re free to follow the guidance from within, and to create a life that breaks the mold—even if that means that we don’t live out what other people may think of as a fairy-tale ending."

Posted by songdawg at 09:20 AM | Comments (2) | My Life

April 04, 2004

Nude in Armchair

One of my favs... from Olga's Gallery. Pablo Picasso. Nude in an Armchair. 1929. Oil on canvas.

Posted by songdawg at 01:20 PM | Comments (1) | My Life

April 02, 2004

Back to the Land of the Living

After two days of sleeping I think I have this bug beat. I think that Cold-FX stuff does work. Anyway I feel like I have close to zero energy but my fever's gone and my throat's better. Back to work! Hopefully I won't fall asleep at my desk :) I am so behind in everything - I didn't do anything except sleep and drink tea and vitamins so I will have to catch up somehow this weekend. Only one week until the CD release party!

Posted by songdawg at 06:12 AM | Comments (1) | My Life

March 30, 2004

Gogoi steps up

So I caught a bug - sore throat, pounding head etc. I am heading off to bed as soon as I finish writing. As I was sitting on the kitchen floor I put a piece of almond on my lap and for the first time Gogoi just walked up and climbed on my lap. He ate the lure almond and hung out for awhile. This bird is really coming out of his shell. It's just like he woke up about 6 weeks ago and decided all was safe and that we were cool enough to chill with! He walks around like my little sidekick (I should post a movie of his waddle as soon as I feel better). Oh, and my site desperately needs a redesign - any suggestions? Check out these amazing photos. How does she do it? -> http://missanthropy.org/

Posted by songdawg at 08:19 PM | Comments (2) | My Life

March 29, 2004

Gogoi's Manor

Finally finished setting up Gogoi's jungle gym. Looks like he likes it.

Posted by songdawg at 08:52 PM | Comments (0) | My Life

March 28, 2004

Augie's Mando Gnomes

Photo by Augie Special appearance of the Mando Gnomes (Linda's cousins Darrell and Darrell from Saboeville) at last year's Columbia Valley Bluegrass Festival Invermere, BC.

Posted by songdawg at 10:30 AM | Comments (0) | My Life

March 26, 2004

Rebuilding Albert's

On my way home I passed the site on Whyte Ave where Albert's restaurant burnt down in a fire in March 2003. A construction crew is busy rebuilding it and everyday more goes up. Southside Sound was also affected and now are located a couple of blocks from the site.

Posted by songdawg at 09:50 PM | Comments (0) | My Life

March 25, 2004

Dinner Alone

Kicked out of the house so the Buffalo Brothers can practice. So I grabbed my laptop and left with the best intentions of getting work done. Instead I ended up eating alone at a restaurant while reading a book. It was a great escape - like a mini-vacation. This morning I put up the poster for Deits' Music Benefit at www.wildwoodbluegrass.com.

Posted by songdawg at 07:18 AM | Comments (6) | My Life

March 21, 2004

Recovery continues

Well, my stomach is only a little queasy today and I have stopped kicking myself for indulging. My fondest memories of the evening were * Morgan and I talking our faces off and spurring each other on (she is such a bad influence :) * Dancing on the packed dance floor and cheering Darcy on with a "Banjos rule - woohoo!!" after an especially tasty break. I think though that I am getting old - I just can't party like I used to. Oh, and I swear - no drinks at Marshall's cd release party. Well, maybe just one. By the way - tickets are for sale for $10 for the party at the Sidetrack ($12 at the door).

Posted by songdawg at 10:42 AM | Comments (2) | My Life

March 20, 2004

Shouldna

What was I thinking? Went drinking and dancing last night at The Sidetrack to The George Bushes which was good. Drinking waaaay too much was not. I am moving real slow - fuzzy teeth, pounding head, queasy stomach, dead brain. The last time I was this drunk was at the Mahones with Marshall a few years ago. Funny thing is Wildwood Flower is coming over in a couple of hours to practice - hope I can get in shape - might take a miracle. Any hangover advice?

Posted by songdawg at 10:09 AM | Comments (2) | My Life

March 18, 2004

Ten Ideas to Help Work with Daily Stress

From the Novaya February 2004 newsletter. Anonymous Advice You the reader may already have some excellent safe guards for mental equilibrium. If you need some suggestions, here are some things that have worked for me. By working with Buddhism for a few years I find that, before working out a problem by talking to a friend, instead I write it down and at the very least I ask myself "What would the Dalai Lama say? (His most common answer is "kindness"). So here are some thoughts. Ten Ideas to Help Work with Daily Stress Wiggle your toes and focus in the muscles around your feet – it pulls the energy down. Remember the focus and feelings of the current meditation you have been working on. Remember the Buddhist concept of Impermanence, that even as stressful events are rising they are passing and falling away. So we can make clear decisions in adversity because it is impermanent. Take a moment to write the stressful event in a journal, it helps to see problems in perspective be being written down. (at your own risk) Have a small portion of quality chocolate – even survival kits recommend chocolate. If at work during lunch: Have a cup of tea, (no sugar, no cream) the English say “Everything can be solved with a cup of tea”, devote yourself to the whole process of making a cup of tea because the result is a kind of bliss. Exercise for thirty minutes a day. Give yourself a foot massage, five to fifteen minutes each foot. A foot massage calms down emotion and (pun intended) we feel we can stand on our own two feet. Draw a mandala: Take a blank piece of paper and draw a random scribble/image and let personal mood decide colours, straight, curved, jagged lines or pens, pencil crayons or even paint. Having done all the previous: If you are content GOOD; if you need extra help you can write, e0mail or phone a close friend, or mentor for a second point of view.

Posted by songdawg at 10:07 PM | Comments (2) | My Life

March 17, 2004

Juggling

I have been so busy recently - I don't really like the pace. It's a little too swift for me so I need to step out of a few things. Last night I told the St Nicholas Mandolin Ensemble folks that I can't play bass for them. I am feeling sad about that - they are amazing people.

Posted by songdawg at 07:13 AM | Comments (0) | My Life

March 07, 2004

Blog mess

For some strange reason my blog is all out of whack - look slike the it would be doing this style sheet is missing - guess I will have to track that down. Any ideas why it would be doing this? Worked fine after the last entry. Last time that happened was because there was masking from godaddy.com on.... hmmmm

Posted by songdawg at 08:41 PM | Comments (2) | My Life

March 04, 2004

Look alikes- What do you think?

Excerpts from an email discussion..

MandoLinda: Have a look at this picture. Striking similarity, don't you think? Only thing missing is a banjo!

Augie:

MandoLinda: This is just TOO FUNNY, I do not know how you did it, lucky for me I play an A- style mandolin - And it gives hope that the little Troll is not related to King Ralph!

Posted by songdawg at 06:27 AM | Comments (2) | My Life

February 20, 2004

Update - His Holiness Dalai Lama Vancouver Visit

Update - More tickets are available for the Spiritual Teaching from His Holiness the Dalai Lama in Vancouver...

February 16, 2004

I'm very pleased to announce that the venue for the Spiritual Teaching for His Holiness the Dalai Lama has been changed to the Pacific Coliseum (capacity 12,000). The date and times are the same, Sunday, April 18th 10 am - noon.

Tickets for the new venue will go on sale through Ticketmaster via the internet, phone or in-person Friday, February 20th at 10:00 a.m.(PST) on a first-come-first serve basis. Maximum 8 tickets per person can be bought.
All tickets are reserved seating.

For those who have already purchased tickets, priority seating will be given and a block section is being reserved. An exchange of your tickets will take place after February 23rd and you must contact Ticketmaster via email, phone, or in-person for the exchange.

Because of the change of venue and staffing regulations we will not require any more volunteers. If you have already signed up to be a volunteer, you will be contacted with more information.

For more information about ordained monastics attending please visit the website www.dalailamavancouver.org and download the appropriate registration form, and fax back to: Anila Ann McNeil, 604-538-6325.

We are investigating the possibility of having a childcare area within the main concourse of the Coliseum. Further details will be on the website in the coming months.

Please refer to the website at www.dalailamavancouver.org for more comprehensive and up to date information and all other events of His Holiness.

Thank you all for your patience as we undergo these various changes.

All the best,

Angela Hryniuk

Co-ordinator, Spiritual Teaching
His Holiness Dalai Lama Vancouver Visit

Posted by songdawg at 07:47 AM | Comments (4) | My Life

No Baba

So we have decided to not take Baba the yellow naped amazon parrot. She/he is an amazing bird with lots of energy and personality and we think it would be too much for us and our current bird. Too bad, the thought of getting another bird was very exciting. Tonight we are going to see Down to the Wood at the Full Moon Folk Club. Should be a good show. I have been very busy with volunteering as a web coordinator for the Blueberry Bluegrass Festival - the new redesign and some content should be up by next week.

Posted by songdawg at 07:43 AM | Comments (2) | My Life

February 18, 2004

Quote of the Day

If you don't hear NO at least three times a day, you aren't asking for enough stuff in your life.

Posted by songdawg at 05:52 PM | Comments (2) | My Life

February 15, 2004

New addition to the family

Nope, not kids - we are still dedicated to our childfree lifestyle. What I mean is we are getting a new Yellow Nape Amazon parrot named Baba. Unfortunately, a friend needs to sell his parrots and we've agreed to give his bird Baba a new home. We're going to meet on Tuesday and by next weekend might have someone new living with us. We'll give Gogoi and Baba a month to see if they can live harmoniously together. I am hoping they will be great friends. Gogoi (Red Lored Amazon) chilling out while I blog

Posted by songdawg at 07:46 PM | Comments (0) | My Life

Caught!

Has MandoLinda seen the light? Will she be forever known as BanjoLinda? Only time will tell.

Posted by songdawg at 07:06 PM | Comments (2) | My Life

February 07, 2004

Bass case cont.

So, I have finally decided what embroidery I will get on my bass case. I am going to get butterflies stitched on at 'random' places on the bass - sort of like they just happened to land there. It will take about 6 weeks for them to create my case - it's going to be amazing.

Posted by songdawg at 12:19 PM | Comments (4) | My Life

February 02, 2004

Drive carefully

Drive carefully folks! It's winter out there.

Whytemud freeway
Sunday, February 1st

Posted by songdawg at 07:45 AM | Comments (1) | My Life

February 01, 2004

The Graces

La Primavera: The Three Graces
Artist: Sandro Botticelli

The Three Graces

Aglaia personified beauty and/or radiance

Euphrosyne personified joy

Thalia personified blooming or flowering

The Graces were the three goddesses of joy, beauty, charm, happiness, and feasts. Hesiod gave the three goddesses the names of Thalia (Good Cheer), Euphrosyne (Mirth), and Aglaia (Splendor). Aside from being representatives of beauty and charm, they were also thought to represent the personifications of overall joy and well-being. They delighted the gods with their songs, dances, and charm. They were known as the "queens of song".

Flower: Rose
Tree: Myrtle
Symbol: Dice

Posted by songdawg at 06:32 PM | Comments (0) | My Life

January 31, 2004

Firetrucks

Woke up this morning to some excitement on our block. Five firetrucks and an ATCO Gas van were parked across the street working on a house. Scary sight especially after this week of fires in Edmonton. Monday this week: Condo fire leaves many homeless Tuesday: A new Chinese grocery store fire Wednesday: Edm fire crews battle plant blaze in icy conditions, evacuate 15-block area Well, the trucks have all left from our street so hopefully everything is alright. Gotta go pack for the Winter Jam camp.

Posted by songdawg at 10:19 AM | Comments (2) | My Life

Date at Khazana's

M and I have decided to take some time every couple of weeks and go on a dinner date. We've both been so busy and have both been feeling disconnected. So this week we went to Khazana's which is a Tandoori restaurant downtown. I had been there previously for the amazing lunch buffet which is great and offers a wonderful selection of curries and dhal and fresh Naan bread. But in the evening the restaurant transforms into this beautiful cozy place with a couple of fireplaces. We sat a table right beside one of the fires and with a view to the chef at the Tandoor oven making naan. We started with different chutneys and papadum and a glass of wine each - I had a sauvignon blanc and M had a glass of merlot. It was great to unwind and have time to chat and reconnect. The atmosphere is great and very intimate. We ordered some butter chicken, dhal and a plate of barbequed vegetables and paneer. And of course naan - which was the fluffiest, melt in your mouth naan that I have ever tasted. Delicious and highly recommended! Know of an Edmonton restaurant we should try?

Posted by songdawg at 10:07 AM | Comments (5) | My Life

January 30, 2004

Gogoi is coming out of his shell

Gogoi is starting to come out of his shell and explore. Here he is walking around the kitchen. I never thought I would see the day where he would be brave enough to leave his cage. Almonds are the perfect lure.

Posted by songdawg at 09:49 PM | Comments (0) | My Life

Victoria continued

I jumped into Carol's little red truck and we left the airport for the city. She gave me an excellent tour of the city, showing me where she worked, lived and studied when she lived in Victoria. Victoria reminds me of a little of Kingston. Emily Carr House Doggy park We visited some of her old haunts until it got dark when we headed for the Herald Street Cafe for a wonderful birthday dinner. I wish now that I had asked our waiter Mur to take a picture of us. One thing I found out was that Carol is a Hockey Hound! She left quite the impression with the waiter. At a little past eight Carol had to rush off so she could catch the last ferry out to Vancouver. She dropped me off at my hotel. It was a great visit - thanks Carol! View from my hotel. I stayed at the Magnolia Hotel which is a beautiful hotel and spa where they turn down the bed and leave you Bernard Callebaut chocolates on your bedside. Yuba from L.A. and Alec Sharp The next morning I went to the Advanced Modeling Course taught by Alec Sharp. It was quite good - I learned more about 4th and 5th normal forms, dimensional modeling and other goodies. Couple of acronyms: GEFN - Good Enough For Now HPDL - Hard Part Do Later As a bonus I got to see Priscilla who is now settling into Victoria with her new husband. It ain't New York or San Francisco where I thought she would end up. But you know they say that Victoria is for the newlywed and nearly dead. I miss her very much - she is a great mentor and friend. I also got to have a visit with Rufus Stewart. We went for a delicious vietnamese meal. I even got to have wonton soup for the first time in my life - it was egg and pork free. I had a bottle of special imported Vietnamese rice beer and we ordered ginger beef and lemongrass chicken. We had a marathon catch up session - it must be about nine years since we last saw each other. He showed me his new shop on Cook St. I think he's an amazing luthier - I hope he builds basses someday - I will be the first in line to pick one up. Rufus taught me a lot about stagecraft and about professionalism. I think he's the best sound guy I have ever met and I admire him a lot. It was a great visit too. The next day during the lunch break I walked around downtown and did the tourist thing. I bought a book for the flight home from Munroe's Bookstore, bought Organic Peppermint Tea at Murchies and chocolate at Roger's Chocolates. Flight home - to the bitter cold. Victoria is a nice city, the weather is great but I am not sure if I would want to live there. The people seemed a little cold and it is an expensive city to live in. But it was nice to visit, learn some new stuff and catch up with friends.

Posted by songdawg at 09:44 PM | Comments (2) | My Life

January 29, 2004

Victoria - The Flight In

I went to Victoria for a couple of days to take an Advanced Data Modeling course which was very good. I also go to visit with Carol, Rufus and Priscilla which was wonderful. I had never been to Victoria and wanted to check it out. I like sitting in the window seat when I fly so that I can watch the takeoff and landing and the landscape change. The recycled air on a plane kind of creeps me out even though I know that all air is recycled air. I'm just not used to being that close to so many people. The flight there was uneventful. Marshall dropped me off - I checked in. Going through Security made me reaize I should probably cool it on how many electronic toys I carry around (cell, palm, mp3 player, camera...) or get some sort of integrated unit. Anyways, here are some photos from the plane. I was very excited cause I knew that Carol was picking me up at the Victoria airport and I haven't seen her in about 3 years. Carol was waiting for me at the airport, we gave each other a great big hug, grabbed my bag, jumped in the little red truck (dogless) and headed into the city. Two women with an afternoon to whittle away, mobile and free in BC's capital. To be continued...

Posted by songdawg at 07:39 AM | Comments (0) | My Life

It's sooo Cold

It's so cold that the clothes I left overnight it the dryer that were a little damp are now frozen solid.

Now that's cold.

Posted by songdawg at 07:18 AM | Comments (1) | My Life

January 28, 2004

Back from Victoria

I had a great time in Victoria. The -39 degrees took my breath away walking from the Edmonton airport terminal to the parking lot. Marshall picked me up in the Bass Case cause his little car is stranded at the Ranch - it is so cold it won't start.

Brrrrrrr. Even with the cold I am still glad to be home.

Posted by songdawg at 07:28 AM | Comments (3) | My Life

January 24, 2004

Pheonix

OK - I think this is the design: Pheonix rising from the flames

And I think I know why I am so into finding a great design for my case. It's cause I can't get a tattoo so this is the closest thing to it :)

Posted by songdawg at 11:20 PM | Comments (3) | My Life

January 23, 2004

Update Bass case embroidery

Looks like I will need to choose an embroidery design from the following two sites: http://www.dakotacollectibles.com or http://www.greatnotions.com.

I was thinking of either flowers or a coyote. Songdawg or rather songdog is a nickname for coyote. The dawg spelling is a tribute to David Grisman the onventor of dawg music. I could add my web address under it. Here's a coyote design that I am considering:
http://www.dakotacollectibles.com/comm/stock_detail.asp?stockcode=MI0349&view=. I will have to look at more designs. This is so exciting - my very own bass case.

More dog images:

http://www.dakotacollectibles.com/comm/stock_detail.asp?stockcode=CH0293&view=

http://www.dakotacollectibles.com/comm/stock_detail.asp?stockcode=CH0854&view=

http://www.dakotacollectibles.com/comm/stock_detail.asp?stockcode=MI2055&view=

Or Dogwood? http://www.dakotacollectibles.com/comm/stock_detail.asp?stockcode=FL0833&view=

Posted by songdawg at 08:20 AM | Comments (0) | My Life

January 21, 2004

The Beekeeper's Apprentice

I found another great book: The Beekeeper's Apprentice. I had planned on falling asleep early so that I could get a good night's sleep but that was sabotaged by this awesome book. It's written from the perspective of Mary Russell, a 15-year old orphaned heiress who meets Sherlock Holmes. They become inseparable, she becomes his apprentice and later partner in solving mysteries. I had trouble putting it down and now this morning feel quite groggy.

Tonight is rehearsal for the St Nicholas Mandolin Ensemble and then practice with Wildwood Flower. I had a bass lesson with Travis Short last night trying to improve my playing technique - I have been so lazy and I have been able to get by with playing bluegrass. But it looks like with some work I can get on the right track. I currently have an elastic joining the ring and index finger on my left hand - to train them to stick close and work together. Looks like some kind of Star Trek gesture.

Q. Why aren't there any banjos on Star Trek?

A. It's the future.

Posted by songdawg at 07:30 AM | Comments (1) | My Life

January 16, 2004

Canadian Jokes

So the St Nicholas Mandolin Orchestra performance tonight went well, 20-some mandolins playing sound so sweet. I recorded the evening so that I can practice and learn the tunes better.

On one of the email lists that I subscribe to people have been poking fun at Canadians and I thought I would share the jokes with you.

Q. How do you identify a Canadian at an orgy?
A. They are the one washing the grapes.

Q: How do you get a Canadian to say they are sorry?
A: Step on their foot.

Q. How do you get 100 Canadians out of a swimming pool?
A. "Alright, everybody, out of the pool."
This one cracks me up for some reason...

Posted by songdawg at 09:22 PM | Comments (2) | My Life

January 15, 2004

Top 10 Favourite Books

I love reading and thought I would share my top 10 favourite books. All of them are books with great ideas and most of them I have read at least a dozen times. This could have easily been a top 100 list but I thought I would be nice and keep it to a readable length. Feel free to post a comment on what you're reading right now or what your favourite books are - I am curious and always on the lookout for new stuff to read.

• Lilith's Brood, Octavia Butler
  
• Snow Crash, Neal Stephenson
  
• Diamond's Age, Neal Stephenson
  
• Zodiak, Neal Stephenson
  
• He, She and It, Marge Piercy
  
• The Fresco, Sheri S. Tepper
  
• Archangel, Sharon Shinn
  
• The Boyfriend Shool, Sarah Bird
  
• Otherland: City of Golden Shadow, Tad Williams
  
• Handmaid's Tale, Margaret Atwood
  

Posted by songdawg at 07:35 AM | Comments (0) | My Life

January 14, 2004

I sure get along with goats

Capricorns are the best!

(Of course I mean right after Sagittarius - right sweetie?)

Happy Birthday Carol - I hope we get to see each other this year cause I miss you and hope that you are doing well. It is always great to hear your voice - you are really an amazing person (I think you forget that sometimes so I am just reminding you :)

And I just want to wish Erin a happy birthday too - I hope you have a great year with your new house and all of that good stuff.

Posted by songdawg at 05:31 PM | Comments (2) | My Life

Some good SF

So this is what kept me up last night - a new good book. I picked up Humans by Robert Sawyer and started to read. The next time I looked up it was 1:00 am. I read Hominids over the Holidays which is the first in the series and loved it. Part of the novel is set at the Sudbury Neutrino Observatory which is quite close to where I grew up in Northern Ontario. There are a lot of Canadianisms and references which is fun to read. And it's a great Science Fiction premise - imagine that there is a parallel Earth where Neanderthals survived to the present day and we did not. They have evolved as we have (well not quite which is very interesting) and a Neanderthal physicist opens a bridge between the two. It's a good book - can't wait to see what happens next. Here's a link to a list of Canadian Science Fiction

Posted by songdawg at 07:46 AM | Comments (4) | My Life

January 13, 2004

Gloo Gloo

Today at the pet store...

Clerk on the intercom: "Fish, Line 2. Fish, Line 2"
Marshall (matter of fact like): "Gloo Gloo"

Cracked me up.

Guess you had to be there.

Need some political comic relief? Try Bush In 30 Seconds.

Or Rick Mercer (of This Hour Has 22 Minutes fame) has a new show Monday Report which is hilarious.

Posted by songdawg at 09:04 PM | Comments (0) | My Life

January 10, 2004

Doohickey

Managed to get through my busy day and run around even though we had freezing rain. I saw lots of cars on the side of the road. I could barely see through my windshield because after 5 minutes of driving even with the heater blasting it would be starting to cover up with ice. Glad I made it through with no accidents. Everything is now covered in ice and all of the snow has a thick layer of it. Beautiful but not much fun to drive in. While we were waiting to start our vocal lesson Dawn fed us some delicious "Doohickeys" pictured on the left. It's fresh fried bread with butter and molasses. And that's her dog Casey - the happiest dog I have ever met. The vocal lesson went fine - we worked on singing Amazing Grace acapella. We spent some time dissecting the song and figuring out where we put accents etc. Then we each took a turn at the different harmony parts and we all managed to do it fairly effortlessly though with coaching. But I realized how rusty I am. Can't believe we are playing in two weeks. I need to focus my practice time - especially now that my neck is almost 100%. The massage was amazing. I can't believe how much better I feel. Joe from the Wholistic Health Clinic gives amazing massages - he uses this vibrating glove at the beginning on all the major muscle groups. Feeels gooood. He also uses hot packs to help loosen your muscles and really good smelling oils. I walked in feeling like I had armour on my neck and shoulders and left feeling relaxed. I booked another one in about two weeks.

Doohickey Casey the dog

Posted by songdawg at 08:24 PM | Comments (0) | My Life

January 09, 2004

Morning commute

	Early winter morning commute
	My New Year's Resolution: To take the stairs whenever I can. So twice a day I trek it up 7 flights of stairs. The first time I thought I was going to die my heart was beating so fast. But by the end of this week it's already better. Working the quads.

Posted by songdawg at 08:33 PM | Comments (0) | My Life

January 08, 2004

Welcome Wind

Welcome Wind - I am looking forward to reading about your adventures on Denman in your new blog TigerWind. Sounds like a beautiful place.

Posted by songdawg at 08:36 PM | Comments (0) | My Life

My Mellow Playlist

Updated:

Posted by songdawg at 08:32 PM | Comments (2) | My Life

Quizzes via Morpheus

Morpheus has a couple of quizzes linked on his site that I thought I would try. If you do them let me know what the results are. Here's what came up for me: What Is Your Animal Personality? brought to you by Quizilla You're Skittles!!! You have a very interesting personality, you're so unique. You're the kind of person who always thinks outside of the box. You're also a very accepting individual, and believe in inner beauty. Which kind of candy are you? brought to you by Quizilla

Posted by songdawg at 08:19 PM | Comments (3) | My Life

Little Christmas etc

Well, I have been in a bit of a funk this week trying to get back into the swing of things. Hurting my neck means I haven't been doing the things that I love like practicing the "Liberty Two-Step" on my fiddle or practising "Black and Tan" on my bass. Or taking care of the things I should - which just stresses me out. Work has been good this week - I am writing design documents and learning how to create process models - I am most happy when I am learning new things. Especially from really smart people like Peggy - she is a data guru. I am going to try to get sent on a Data Modeling course at the end of the month in Victoria. Never been and would love to see Rufus and maybe Wind and Sam. The course is on the 26th and 27th so maybe I could go up on the Sunday. I will keep you posted - though it probably won't happen because of the timing. We celebrated Little Christmas yesterday at my Inlaws. The centerpiece was a white candle in sprouted wheatgrass surrounded by hazelnuts. We had lamb and turkey with roast potatoes, yams, carrots, peas and broccoli. And the best apple strudel for dessert, and chocolate coconut macaroons and almond cookies (my favourite). Anna throws a great feast. And when she put the candle out there was no smoke - meaning a happy year for everyone. Looks like I might be joining the St. Nicholas Mandolin Orchestra. I am going to their Wednesday night rehearsal next week to bass with them. I have never played with a conductor before let alone 30 mandolins - it should be a cool experience. I have a busy weekend coming up - Friday night bass lesson with Travis, Saturday morning Blueberry Festival meeeting, Saturday afternoon vocal lesson with Wildwood Flower and the Oviatts then jamming Sunday afternoon with George and Windi. Oh and a massage at 5 on Saturday... Umm... Marshall's looking over my shoulder saying "Helloooo Husband here!" Looks like I have a hot date for Saturday too :)

Posted by songdawg at 07:54 PM | Comments (0) | My Life

Happy Birthday Sheila

It's Sheila's birthday today - Happy Birthday! She shares Elvis' birthday and while can almost shake it as well as he could she can play banjo better than he ever did! Sheila I hope you have a great year.

Posted by songdawg at 06:54 PM | Comments (0) | My Life

January 07, 2004

Torticollis

I managed somehow to get a crick in my neck yesterday. Wow - painful. Which made me grouchy by lunch time. I went to the chiropractor and it is feeling 50%better this morning. I also booked a massage for Saturday. Woke up sore and with a weird fluttering/spasm feeling in my chest. It went away after a minute but was very strange. I guess I need to adjust how I sleep. I don't know what's going on but I feel like I have been hit my a brick wall.

Posted by songdawg at 07:25 AM | Comments (4) | My Life

January 04, 2004

Something strange

Looks like something strange has happened to the formatting of my page - not sure what's going on and I wish I had the energy to figure it out. Wonder if it has to do with the domain masking I set up with godaddy.com. If anyone has an insight let me know.

Update: Yup, it was the masking. I removed it and everything seems to be fine.

Posted by songdawg at 07:17 PM | Comments (2) | My Life

January 03, 2004

Happy New Year's Eve 2004

Went to the Fiddler's Roost Open Stage for NYE. It was a nice casual evening with friends and music. A great way to bring in 2004. When I got home there was message from M begging me to pick him up from his drunken crazy gig. So I did - it really sucked. I was tired and hungry and not up to dealing with a bunch of drunken guys. I've been in a bad mood since. Just can't shake it.

Posted by songdawg at 11:47 PM | Comments (0) | My Life

December 27, 2003

Ice on Whyte Festival 2003

On my way to the Strathcona library I passed the Ice on Whyte Festival 2003. It's been so warm that the sculptures have been melting. Old Man Winter

Posted by songdawg at 10:14 PM | Comments (0) | My Life

December 26, 2003

Christmas socks

Hehehe got lots of wonderful gifts - thanks everybody! I also happened to get some holiday socks from J-Bird. Watch out Mandolinda - I think I might be catching up to you in the funky socks department. Here's M - he's been moping around the house saying that he's bored. I wish he would step out would find a blues jam and let me enjoy my time off in peace. Luv yah Babe but you know.

Posted by songdawg at 09:35 PM | Comments (0) | My Life

December 22, 2003

I am a Non-Smoker

Happy Solstice! I quit smoking two years ago. Quitting was a very difficult thing to do and I sometimes still miss that feeling of relieving a nicotine craving (that aaaah! feeling). And probably always will. Two whole years of a smoke-free existence. Yeah me!

Posted by songdawg at 12:11 PM | Comments (2) | My Life

December 18, 2003

It's a fiddle thing

Dug out my Clarence Gatemouth Brown, Bob Wills and Cajun & Creole Masters cds. Yum Yum.

Posted by songdawg at 08:03 AM | Comments (0) | My Life

New shoulder rest

Woke up with sore shoulders and stiff neck. Note to self - buy a shoulder rest for new fiddle.

Posted by songdawg at 07:53 AM | Comments (0) | My Life

New fiddle continued...

So on my way home from work I picked up my new fiddle and rushed home to play play play. I packed up my bass and fiddle loaded them in my car and went to the PleasantView jam. I was too late and missed the Slow Pitch Jam. But Willie took me downstairs and gave me my first bluegrass fiddle lesson. He wanted to teach me a song about boiling cabbages or something like that but I requested to learn Old Joe Clark instead. yllleain yllleain yllleain yllleain yllleain yllleain yllleain yllleain yllleain yllleain . I managed eventually to play the basic melody - but it will take quite a bit of practice to sound half as smooth and sweet as Willie. How many bluegrass fiddlers does it take to play Old Joe Clark? Apparently all of them! Came home and tried to show off my new song to Marshall but stopped when I noticed he had covered his ears and was grimacing. Catch 22 - need to practice to get better, hubby finds it painful when I play. Hmmmm.

Posted by songdawg at 07:50 AM | Comments (0) | My Life

December 17, 2003

Vagabonding.com

Mike from www.Vagabonding.com is back home in Chicago. I always looked forward to getting an update from his trip, what a great endeavour. Maybe he'll tell some interesting stories about home? I don't know how long the site will be up but if you haven't had a chance to check it out - take a look at his amazing video clips before the site goes down.

Posted by songdawg at 07:09 AM | Comments (0) | My Life

December 14, 2003

Merry Christmas!

Hope you have a Happy Bluesy Holidays! Merry Christmas Baby Download mp3 file (658 KB). Marshall on National Steel guitar and vocals Toby on bass Gogoi the Amazon parrot on backing "vocals"

Posted by songdawg at 02:04 PM | Comments (3) | My Life

Dark Early

Whyte Ave at dusk on my way home from work.

Posted by songdawg at 10:52 AM | Comments (0) | My Life

Lazy Sunday

I have nothing planned for the day - yippee! And neither does Marshall so we get to actually hang out together for more than an hour. Last night was my company's Christmas party - it was nice socializing with people that I haven't seen in awhile since we are different projects now. Also, everyone was dressed up which adds something to the occasion. There was a talent competition and I managed to put together a Sierra blues band with Ray Johnson on trombone, Marshall on National steel guitar, Duncan Robertson on blues banjolin, Sean Williams on electric guitar and myself on standup bass. Marshall sang Merry Christmas Baby and then Ray sang Lonesome Christmas. It was great - what fun playing with those guys. I know some people were taking pictures and I even saw someone taking video so hopefully I can get copies.

Posted by songdawg at 10:47 AM | Comments (0) | My Life

December 09, 2003

Bowling

Went bowling Saturday for the first (and last time) in my life. Yes, it's true I had never been bowling before - shocking I know. The best part of the evening was watching how much enjoyment everyone was having. That was cool. Our group was going crazy everytime someone had a strike. Marshall obviously is a natural or spent his youth haunting bowling alleys. Still haven't figured out which. But the other stuff was not my style: the shoes (creepy), the moist bowling balls (gross), the 14LB balls that were killing my bass playing arms, the loud rock and roll being pipped in, the flashing lights, the fruit flies in my tequila and orange juice. It was an experience. Hope you had a Happy Birthday Mike!

Posted by songdawg at 09:03 AM | Comments (0) | My Life

December 06, 2003

CKUA Sound Archives

CKUA Sound Archives are online.

Posted by songdawg at 09:47 AM | Comments (0) | My Life

December 04, 2003

Fiddle

The Northern Bluegrass Circle was packed last night - I am sure there were over a 75 people there at one point and about 35 sitting in the circle jamming. It was great - lots of energy and lots of new songs. I talked to Willie for awhile and asked him about how much a good fiddle would cost. I am looking for a warm, caramel sounding fiddle like his. He offered to lend me one of his until I find one and offered to keep an eye out. Hopefully I will have a better time finding a fiddle than I have finding a good standup bass to buy (still looking for a Kay). I went downstairs for a few minutes and was able to pick out the beginning melody to Faded Love. Yup, I've been itching to play for a while so thanks to Willie's generosity next week I will be annoying not only my dear husband but the birds too.

Posted by songdawg at 04:51 AM | Comments (0) | My Life

December 03, 2003

Typical

Typical Marshall

Posted by songdawg at 06:26 PM | Comments (0) | My Life

December 02, 2003

That sinking feeling

I woke up yesterday with a sinking feeling in my gut - the kind that feels like oh-oh something is about to go down. Can't seem to shake it. It's most likely from my stress over writing my last MCSD exam tomorrow. I do not feel very prepared. I studied all day and will review tomorrow - hopefully I will pass and I can check it off my list of things to do. It will be a sigh of relief. We are going out for dinner tonight with Kathy and Mike to celebrate Marshall and Mike's birthday. We are going to Pearl River which at the moment is my favourite restaurant. The "Chinese Tacos" as Mike calls the lettuce wraps are soooo good, the peppercorn beef dish is good and I like the Chinese broccoli dish. Another favourite is shrimp in a coconut ginger sauce. Can't wait to catch up on how they are doing with the wedding plans.

Posted by songdawg at 05:03 PM | Comments (0) | My Life

December 01, 2003

Homefest 2003

We went to HomeFest 2003 in support of raising funds for The Winter Emergency Fund. There was a great lineup: Down To The Wood, Maria Dunn, Rob Heath, Bob Jahrig, Karla Anderson, Dale Ladouceur, Terry McDade, Laura Vinson and emceed by Lionel Rault. Dale Ladouceur on the Chapman Stick Marian Dunn on accordeon, Laura Vinson on guitar, Dale Ladouceur on Chapman stick. I realy like Laura's songwriting - she sang a song about being one paycheck from homeless, also a song about YellowHead who was one of her ancestors (at first I thought they were singing tit'Jean but what they were saying is Tete Jaune), and a catchy tune about Louis Riel. There was also an open stage across the street. Here are Marc Ladouceur and Anna Sommerville playing some of Anna's beautiful songs (I especially liked "Secret City"). We spent the last half at the open stage so we didn't catch all of the concert acts but it was a nice evening. I hope they raised lots of money.

Posted by songdawg at 07:32 AM | Comments (0) | My Life

November 27, 2003

Buy Nothing Day

November 28th is Buy Nothing Day.

It's also Marshall's birthday and Dan's birthday. Happy Birthday you guys!

Posted by songdawg at 07:30 AM | Comments (1) | My Life | TrackBack

November 14, 2003

Vagina Monologues Auditions

Edmonton International Women’s Day committee is again staging a benefit performance of Eve Ensler’s Vagina Monologues. This year the performance will take place on February 28, 2004 at the Provincial Museum, but there's a lot of fun to be had before the curtain goes up!

Women and girls are encouraged to audition for volunteer roles as monologue presenters and in supporting roles. No theatre experience is necessary; just enthusiasm and a wish to participate in an event dedicated at ending violence against women and girls.

Auditions will take place on Saturday, November 29, 2003 from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. If you want to take the stage and support this great cause, call 423-4102 and ask for Liana or Tarra to schedule your audition time.

Posted by songdawg at 02:46 PM | Comments (0) | My Life | TrackBack

Garudasana: The Eagle

I had a private lesson with my yoga instructor last night and she create a routine to help strengthen and stretch my arms, shoulders, wrists and hands. It’s intense – I can’t do any of the pushup type exercises yet. I am going to be soooo buff!

Here's one of my favourite poses to help loosen shoulders: Garudasana. I do a modified version that doesn't include the legs but only the upper body.

Posted by songdawg at 07:33 AM | Comments (2) | My Life | TrackBack

November 03, 2003

Still snowing

The guy who shovels are walk is getting a run for his money... I just noticed that I have taken 1111 photos so far on my lovely Canon Powershot A70. I love this camera. Had a great day yesterday jamming - my arms are tired today though. I think I will take a day off from playing. Off to study for my next exam.

Posted by songdawg at 09:07 AM | Comments (0) | My Life | TrackBack

October 30, 2003

Bluegrass Halloween

Les was serving up some spooky Halloween treats last night at the Bluegrass jam, the most scary was the punch:

Posted by songdawg at 07:56 AM | Comments (0) | My Life | TrackBack

October 28, 2003

Brrrrrrr...

Posted by songdawg at 08:10 PM | Comments (0) | My Life | TrackBack

October 23, 2003

Ven. Namgyal Rinpoche's passing

From the Dharma Centre of Canada website: "With sadness we announce the passing of our beloved Teacher, the Venerable Namgyal Rinpoche, founder and principal patron of the Dharma Centre of Canada.

The Rinpoche passed away on October 22nd, at one of his favorite places, a small private cottage on a lake in Switzerland, where he has stayed and taught many times over the last 20 years. "

Here's an excerpt from Terry Hagan's letter: "Rinpoche chose to pass over at one of his favorite places, a small private cottage on a lake in Switzerland, where he has stayed and taught many times over the last 20 years. I was fortunate to have been with him throughout his passing and he seemed to navigate the bardo with confidence and assurance. I saw him progress through the bardo figures then finally pass with a beatific smile on his face. He was the greatest of teachers to the very end and continues to be so! Three of us stayed with him during the night praying and meditating and always felt his warm presence."

There will be a Chenrezig Puja held in Rinpoche's honour at 10:30 am this Sunday morning Oct 26, at the Sinclair residence. We will have a potluck dinner after the puja. Please bring something to share at the dinner if you wish to stay. For more information contact Pat or Don MacKenzie at don.mackenzie@shaw.ca

Posted by songdawg at 08:52 PM | Comments (0) | My Life | TrackBack

October 19, 2003

Fiddler's Roost

Well, went to the Fiddler's Roost last night for the open stage and had a good time. J-bird, moi, Sheila and Don I am still experimenting with using a mic, it's hard to know how it really sounds and if the balance is good, especially with three part harmonies. We gave it our best shot and played: Sitting Alone in the Moonlight, Your Love is Like a Flower and The Road Into Town. Afterwards we went and checked out the open stage at Tim's Grill. It was a howl, we had no idea what kind of reception we would get but everyone was very welcoming. The stage was very tiny, it was a bit of a struggle to get all of us up there. Dan Meunier managed to mic us up with only two sm58 vocal mics. Not bad - thanks Dan! We enjoyed ourselves, it was good stepping out and paying some dues. Tonight we are going to visit Bob at Cargo and James. Wish us luck.

Posted by songdawg at 12:21 PM | Comments (0) | My Life | TrackBack

October 18, 2003

Music plans

My wonderful musical plans for this week: Fiddler's Roost Open Stage tonight (8906-99 St. 461-1358) with WildWood Flower (J-Bird, Sheila and me). Tomorrow night, we're probably hitting the Open Stage at Cargo & James Tea House, 10634 Whyte Ave. Hosted by Bob Robichaud. Wednesday night, of course is the Bluegrass jam at Pleasantview. Next Friday, the Full Moon Folk Club is presenting a concert by The Wailin' Jennys. Next Saturday, a bunch of us are going to the Eric and Leon Bibb concert at The Arden. Looks like a great week! Doncha just love concert season? Maybe I'll see you around.

Posted by songdawg at 11:50 AM | Comments (0) | My Life | TrackBack

Lyle Lovett has a new album out

Heard it this morning on Wide-Cut Country on CKUA: Lyle Lovett's first album of original material since 1996, My Baby Don't Tolerate has been released. There's also a new tribute album to Dolly Parton: Just Because I'm a Woman: The Songs of Dolly Parton with Norah Jones, Alison Krauss, Shania Twain, Joan Osborne, Melissa Etheridge, Emmylou Harris, Sinead O’Connor, Mindy Smith, Kasey Chambers and Allison Moorer. Too bad I have sworn off buying cds for awhile. Hope the library gets them in.

Posted by songdawg at 11:23 AM | Comments (0) | My Life | TrackBack

Zubot & Dawson

Went to see Zubot & Dawson last night at the Arden Theatre in St Albert. I saw them there last year and really enjoyed them so I was hoping for a repeat on hearing some Strang aka "folk music that kicks ass". The evening started off with a set by Garnet Rogers. Steve Dawson playing some slide guitar. Love his shoes. Elliot Polsky is in the back on drums - keeping the groove and keeping it interesting with all of his percusive toys. Jesse Zubot on fiddle and mandolin. And Darren Paris on bass. Zubot doing some cool effects on his fiddle. The evening finished with a Garnet Rogers joining the boys and swapping a couple of tunes. It was a good evening. It didn't have the same energy as last year, much more mellow. I got to find out what kind of shoes that Dawson has - they are very cool - black leather with red flames.

Posted by songdawg at 11:11 AM | Comments (0) | My Life | TrackBack

October 17, 2003

70-316 Check!

I just wrote and passed (phew) exam 70-316 which is another Microsoft exam I need to get my MCSD. Only one more exam to go: 70-300. I will hit the books on Monday but for now I am catching up on email and catching my breath.

Posted by songdawg at 03:51 PM | Comments (0) | My Life | TrackBack

October 16, 2003

Taking Bluegrass' Name in Vain

What does an Investment Banker playing the banjo sound like? Like an Investment Banker playing the banjo. I went to the concert expecting New Acoustic or Americana music which I love. They are all technically very good players but it was on the wonderbread side of jazz for my taste. I also think the sound could of used a ton more banjo in the mix and a lot less keys and drums. The only relationship to bluegrass or acoustic music was the fact that there was a banjo on stage. It's true that Bill Monroe was into experimenting, but this experiment has succeeding in shedding all acoustic roots and soul, which in my opinion kept the music grounded and interesting. Their new direction is just not my cup of tea.

Posted by songdawg at 09:00 PM | Comments (0) | My Life | TrackBack

Nowhere Girl

Great coming of age story: Nowhere Girl

Posted by songdawg at 04:53 PM | Comments (0) | My Life | TrackBack

October 12, 2003

Chilliwack

After Sorrento we drove to the Chilliwack Bluegrass Festival for the weekend. The festival lineup included Maple Creek and The Emory Lester Set. A band that left a strong impression with me were Bearfoot Bluegrass, they are a very well orchestrated, charismatic and entertaining group. Couldn't miss the Internattional Corn Shuckin Contest. Here are the kids in the junior category. Every evening there was a delicious corn roast. Oh, and Mike and his wife came too. We did manage to jam some but staying at a hotel and not on site made it more difficult. It was a little bit of a culture shock after Sorrento where everyone is welcome to join any jam. At Chilliwack a lot of groups "circle their wagons" so that they can ensure that no one tries to join their jams. We swapped songs at Carolyn and Don's camp which was great. And yes, we made a few jokes about if we spotted Malachai (Children of the Corn) we were out of there!

Posted by songdawg at 10:41 AM | Comments (0) | My Life | TrackBack

October 10, 2003

Churchill Square

Walked by Churchill Square a couple of days ago to go to the library to borrow some cds (they have an excellent collection). The whole park is boarded up and under construction. Seems the city is building an underground parking lot and rebuilding the park. These two guys were air brushing the fence.

Posted by songdawg at 11:27 PM | Comments (0) | My Life | TrackBack

October 09, 2003

Adding Categories

I am adding past entries to categories, so if the past entries come up as unread - well that's why!

Posted by songdawg at 08:03 AM | Comments (0) | My Life | TrackBack

October 03, 2003

Business Adjustment

Yesterday, 8 people from the firm where I work were let go. I didn't realize how tense I was about it I was until yoga last night where my body was so tight that I couldn't stretch nearly as far as before. What a drag. I don't know who they all are but I hope that they can quickly find work they love.

Posted by songdawg at 08:29 AM | Comments (0) | My Life | TrackBack

October 01, 2003

Fall

The leaves are turning

Edmonton downtown on a crisp and hazy morning

From my living room window

Posted by songdawg at 05:27 PM | Comments (1) | My Life | TrackBack

September 26, 2003

Portraits

Tonight we are getting our portrait done. Last September we went to a silent auction and bid on a portrait session with a local photographer and won the bid.

We've been procrastinating (it was due in March 2003). So in June, I booked a session for today. The fall is Marshall's favourite time of year and also when we met. I heard of a place in town that has maple trees (just like Ontario) - I haven't had a chance to drive by but I am hoping the trees are starting to turn red. So we'll have it done tonight outside. I have never done this kind of thing before - except I guess our wedding photos which were very casual - a friend did it in the back yard kind of thing.

Should be good and a nice keepsake for when we are old and looking back at the "good old days". Actually I am hoping that I haven't hit the good old days yet - have I peaked - what a crazy thought.

Posted by songdawg at 08:36 AM | Comments (0) | My Life | TrackBack

September 24, 2003

Toby Tellier, MCAD (!)

I passed my third Microsoft exam - 70-310 Developing XML Web Services and Server Components with Visual Basic .NET and the .NET Framework. Which means I am now certified as a Microsoft Certified Application Developer (MCAD). Over the hump, only two exams left until I have my MCSD.

Tonight I am going to celebrate by going to the Shakti Remembered concert at the Winspear.

Posted by songdawg at 05:10 PM | Comments (0) | My Life | TrackBack

September 22, 2003

Blue Skies 2002 photo

Frank Eaton sent us a great hello email along with a picture that was taken the day that we left our visit to Blue Skies. What a great community! I had such a blast - especially jamming with the Fredheads!

BTW now that my laptop is back - expect Sorrento pictures soon.

Posted by songdawg at 08:39 PM | Comments (0) | My Life | TrackBack

September 19, 2003

Yogaaaaaah!

I have been inpired lately by Les, Chantal and now my Mom. They are all taking yoga and are loving it. I have taken it in the past with Carol and it was great. It is such a good release, I usually feel more relaxed and happy.

Lately I have been in a funk and very grumpy I decided it was time. So in the latest community newsletter I noticed an ad for yoga classes. The amazing thing is that they are about 2 blocks from my house - perfect! So I went to my first class last night and enjoyed it. I wish I could do it everyday. It was great.

Posted by songdawg at 07:34 AM | Comments (2) | My Life | TrackBack

September 16, 2003

It's snowing - Sept 16, 2003

Fall is officially still 5 days away and it's snowing. The summer was just way too short! Now, where did I pack my gloves and boots?

Posted by songdawg at 10:40 AM | Comments (0) | My Life | TrackBack

September 11, 2003

Magic Touch Lamp

Every night I read for about half an hour. I have done this since I can remember. I used to light a candle, which is the perfect amount of light - bright enough to read but mellow enough to relax. But I have been hearing about how candles contain lots of chemicals which are not that great for you when they burn into the air. And the yummy bee wax ones are too expensive to use every day. Since the renos I have been using an old lamp we had kicking around that is very bright. It's so bright that I have been having trouble falling asleep (something I rarely have trouble with). I guess I need the dim light as a queue that it's time to drift off to NeverNeverLand. So yesterday I went out and bought a lamp at London Drugs, it was pretty inexpensive and is perfect. It's blue (like the paint in the bedroom), has the perfect amount of mellow brightness I was looking for, and it's a magic touch lamp so I just have to tap the base to turn it on and switch between the different light intensities (night light, mellow, bright and brightest). Perfect. Now I just need to find a bedside table and I will be allset. The IKEA bar stool that I am using now is the perfect height but there's not enough space on it to hold everything (book, glasses, water, lamp, alarm clock). Still no word from Futureshop about my laptop.

Posted by songdawg at 07:21 AM | Comments (0) | My Life | TrackBack

September 02, 2003

Back from Sorrento

Had a great time! Thank you everyone for the birthday emails, cards and phone messages. I spent my birthday drinking Sauvignon Blanc, eating chocolate and playing my heart out on the dawghouse bass with friends in the BC mountains. It was heavenly. Just wished you could have all been there! Maybe next year?

The only downer is that my laptop got sick the morning we left. It's in the shop being repaired - seems the registry file was corrupted which means a backup, restore of data and complete reinstall of operating system is necessary. Thank goodness I have an extended warranty. The waiting period is about 8 days until the technician can take a look at it, I hope they manage to do a good backup.

As soon as it comes back I will upload some pics and maybe a sound bite from our student concert.

I am off to make myself a cup of tea and read my new book "The Year's Best Science Fiction: Twentieth Annual Collection"

Posted by songdawg at 07:41 PM | Comments (0) | My Life | TrackBack

August 20, 2003

Bonne Fete GrandMaman!

Today is my Grandmaman's birthday - Bonne Fete!

Posted by songdawg at 03:29 PM | Comments (0) | My Life | TrackBack

August 19, 2003

Bass Fisting

We brought our instruments in to the Acoustic Music Shop yesterday to get them ready for Sorrento BCBW.

Caught Rod fisting my acoustic/electric bass.

Very unorthodox, I know!

Actually, he's gluing one of the pickup wires so get rid of a rattling noise.

Two more sleeps until we go.

Posted by songdawg at 11:13 AM | Comments (0) | My Life | TrackBack

August 18, 2003

70-305 - Check!

Passed the 70-305 Microsoft exam this morning. Two exams down - three to go until I have my MCSD certification.

I am wiped out - I think I will finish cooking my food for the trip to Sorrento and then maybe catch a movie. Probably The Pirates of the Caribbean . Johnny Depp - yum yum!

Posted by songdawg at 06:35 PM | Comments (1) | My Life | TrackBack

August 01, 2003

Cool summer doggie

Quick snap of a cool summer doggie:

Posted by songdawg at 08:16 AM | Comments (0) | My Life | TrackBack

CIPS Telus Field event

M and I went to a Trappers baseball game for the CIPS BBQ event in July. The peanuts were soooo good. Here are a couple of pics: Sophia with the Trapper's mascot

Posted by songdawg at 08:14 AM | Comments (0) | My Life | TrackBack

Andrei's birthday

Pictures from early July sitting on the Jeckyll and Hyde patio enjoying a cold one and celebrating Andrei's birthday. Andrei, Elena, Glen Glen, Dean, Michael Duncan and Jon Jon and Shannon

Posted by songdawg at 08:10 AM | Comments (0) | My Life | TrackBack

Aug 1, 2003

My skin has flared again. I was really slipping on watching my diet, guess it's time to get back to it: no eggs, nuts, kiwi, milk, wheat, seafood, chocolate, sugar or alcohol. Oh, and no cheese - I had pizza twice this week and I think that is what really did it. Lots of meat, rice/potatoes and veggies. Guess I'll BBQ a bunch of stuff and freeze it. Time to refocus.

Great online book for kids with ezcema. http://www.undermyskin.com/

Posted by songdawg at 07:39 AM | Comments (0) | My Life | TrackBack

July 31, 2003

July 31, 2003

The more stuff you have the more time you spend investing in that stuff...

Lately we have been gathering more stuff. I have been spending so much time and energy in the last while on selecting, buying, delivering, setting up, cleaning and maintaining all this stuff. It's really quite interesting, I feel like a typical north american consumer gobbling up resources.

And now I am spending time and energy fixing the stuff. In the past few days our new dishwasher doesn't work properly, the new car's windshield got a rock chip which turned into a huge crack and this morning, horror of horrors - our internet connection stopped working. What is going on? My life is all about stuff! It's taking over my life!

But I am staying on top and taking care of business. I set up an appointment for the dishwasher service person (they can only come during business hours - I have to take a whole day off of work for my dishwasher?!), got the windshield replaced (why can't Ford make a rock resistent windshield?) and reconnected to the internet (the router's ac adapter blew so I had to buy a new adapter).

Makes me think the the less stuff you have the better... except of course for those pesky conveniences like my car, dishwasher and internet connection :)

I am a consumer.

Posted by songdawg at 12:51 PM | Comments (0) | My Life | TrackBack

July 28, 2003

July 28. 2003

I have been so busy with renos, my mom's visit, and the Calgary Folk fest that I haven't had time to update my blog. Tonight we start setting up our home office - which means pics of the last few weeks are coming soon.

Blueberry is this weekend! My fingers are out of shape. If I am going to survive the marathon jamming sessions I better start gearing up this week. Time to start thumping that dawghouse!

Posted by songdawg at 07:30 AM | Comments (0) | My Life | TrackBack

July 01, 2003

July 1, 2003

We are buying our first couch. Here are a few that we liked and that were comfortable. Which one do you think would look best? They are all about the same colour: chocolate brown. But it's hard to judge the colour because of the flash.
Divano? I like the wood and the shape. It isn't as long as the others though.
Divano Sofa	Divano Love seat
Utah?
Utah Sofa	Utah Love seat
Fiery?
Fiery Sofa	Fiery Love Seat
We might get this chair for the office. It is sooo comfortable.

Posted by songdawg at 04:15 PM | Comments (2) | My Life | TrackBack

Gogoi gets a shower

Here are some photos of Gogoi doing his crazy shower dance. He's trying to catch the spray coming from the bottle. Cracks me up everytime.

Posted by songdawg at 12:33 PM | Comments (0) | My Life | TrackBack

June 29, 2003

Renos continued some more

Our renos continue! The front and back tiles have been installed. Not a great photo but I wanted to put some pics up before I go to work. Yesterday we received the hard wood that will go into the two smaller rooms and the hall way. We bought a rug for the living room as well as matching runners for the hallway. Even my plants seem to be doing well.

Posted by songdawg at 07:58 AM | Comments (0) | My Life | TrackBack

June 29, 2003

I am back. It was a great retreat, I learned a lot about relaxing, calming my mind and about the Dhamma (teachings of the Buddha). Vennerable Punnaji Participants from the Light of the Dhamma Our sandals all lined up outside of the meditation room. The retreat was located in a Catholic retreat centre, lots of catholic statues, crosses and paintings. I have to go in to work to put an application into production. Back to regular life.

Posted by songdawg at 07:50 AM | Comments (0) | My Life | TrackBack

June 21, 2003

June 21

Happy Solstice!

We are going to the BlueGrass Solstice jam later today. Should be a great time. I think Marshall's bringing Rosalita. I will most likely finish working at 1:00 so we'll head off after that.

Tomorrow I am off to a week long meditation retreat led by Venerable Madawela Punnaji Thero.

Posted by songdawg at 07:27 AM | Comments (0) | My Life | TrackBack

June 16, 2003

June 16, 2003

Good news - the carpet was ripped out and the hardwood underneath looks great. Tomorrow it'll be finished! Here are some (crooked sorry!) pics of the living room and bedroom.

Before (pics from when we first moved in 3 years ago):

Now:

And bedroom:

We heard a couple of reno horror stories - we have been soooo lucky.

Posted by songdawg at 09:43 PM | Comments (0) | My Life | TrackBack

June 16, 2003

The C Word: and how I learned to love it (website)
How a woman who used to grit her teeth at the C word learned to love it through a book, an inspirational author, and a bonding experience.

Posted by songdawg at 07:33 AM | Comments (0) | My Life | TrackBack

June 15, 2003

July 15, 2003

We are in reno mode - everything is falling into place and going smoothly. We've spent most of the weekend getting ready for Monday when the bedroom, livingroom and dining room get the carpet removed and the beautiful (hopefully) hard wood underneath gets refinished. We also picked our tiles for the front and back entry way: and the lino for the kitchen and stairs: The bathrooms were finished this morning and the smell of glue etc. has almost faded away. Hoorah! Our Fat Albert spruce was also planted in our front yard - it looks so small. I like the blueish tint to it. And because it is still young the needles are nice and soft. Hopefully by mid July we will have everything finished and can kick back and enjoy the summer. That's the plan anyways.

Posted by songdawg at 04:21 PM | Comments (0) | My Life | TrackBack

June 11, 2003

June 11, 2003

Listening to Oh Susannah and reading Sheri Tepper's Plague of Angels.

Posted by songdawg at 09:12 PM | Comments (0) | My Life | TrackBack

June 10, 2003

June 10, 2003

It's about time.

I am busy this evening trying to download the video Marshall took this weekend and burn it to cd. Also starting to pack so that we'll be ready for the floor renovations. I am tired and low spirits - I think it's the weather. It's so cloudy and dreary.

Posted by songdawg at 06:34 PM | Comments (0) | My Life | TrackBack

June 02, 2003

June 2, 2003

"Hey, maybe you haven't been keeping up on current events, but we just got our asses kicked, pal!" - Bill Paxton in Aliens

I am getting my ass kicked - by my allergies! Must be the tons of pollen in the air.

Posted by songdawg at 06:46 AM | Comments (0) | My Life | TrackBack

May 31, 2003

Bathroom Renos Done!

Before After The bathroom renos are done - mostly! Just waiting for the black tiles for the bottom trim of the wall to come in. We just have to add those touches - curtains, cupboard door handles, prints on the wall, etc. I can't wait to try the bath out!

Posted by songdawg at 07:59 PM | Comments (0) | My Life | TrackBack

May 30, 2003

Photo Friday - May 30

Today is Photo Friday. The theme is transportation. I took this photo from my car on my commute to work. As I was surfing through everyone's submissions I came across a site which had a link to an animation of the SARS virus. Interesting in a mesmerizing and creepy kind of way.

Posted by songdawg at 07:41 AM | Comments (2) | My Life | TrackBack

May 29, 2003

May 29, 2003

"Finish each day and be done with it. You have done what you could. Some blunders and absurdities no doubt crept in; forget them as soon as you can. Tomorrow is a new day; begin it well and serenely and with too high a spirit to be cumbered with your old nonsense." -Ralph Waldo Emerson

Posted by songdawg at 07:19 AM | Comments (0) | My Life

May 28, 2003

Bathroom renos cont....

Only the floor groat and painting left to do! It should be all done tomorrow.

Posted by songdawg at 11:16 PM | Comments (1) | My Life

Gogoi

Gogoi missing his wrestling buddy

Posted by songdawg at 11:11 PM | Comments (0) | My Life

May 26, 2003

Bathroom renos - tiles!

Bathroom with tiles on the wall! We are also renovating the little bathroom in our bedroom. It's coming along - can't wait until it's done. I had no idea how dusty and smelly and dirty renos are. But I think it will be well worth it.

Posted by songdawg at 07:15 PM | Comments (2) | My Life

May 25, 2003

Summer's here

Summer's here! Marshall and I went on the Fat Boyz patio for lunch to soak up some rays.

Posted by songdawg at 11:36 PM | Comments (0) | My Life

May 24, 2003

May 24, 2003

Went for lunch with my friend Sheila yesterday and caught up on how she is doing. We are both going to the meditation retreat in June with Venerable Punnaji which I am looking forward to. We ate at Allegro's Italian Kitchen - delicious food. I'll have to take my mom and B there when they come. I am doing my first production system's implementation tomorrow - I hope it goes well. Cross my fingers and toes. Last night we went and played at the Lynnwood Extendacare for the senior's pub night - I was feeling quite frazzled from my week and had trouble playing my best. But it was fun and a great opportunity. A couple people were into it and even sang along (a sassy women named Emily in particular). We then went to the Uptown Folk Club open stage and had a chance to play a couple of songs there. I need to figure out how to sing in a microphone - it is deceptively easy looking. I guess I am finding it intimidating cause I always seem to back off too much and am not as loud as I should be. Practice, practice, practice!

Posted by songdawg at 09:41 AM | Comments (0) | My Life

May 22, 2003

Bathroom Renos cont...

We now have a tub!

Posted by songdawg at 09:29 PM | Comments (0) | My Life

May 22, 2003

Spring is here, my flowers are starting to come up and the grass is green. Finally! Prairie Crocus in bloom I forget what these are called. Our apple tree has leaves.

Posted by songdawg at 09:28 PM | Comments (2) | My Life

May 16, 2003

May 16, 2003

The renos have begun! Our bathroom is now partially stripped! Bye carpet! Bye peeling tub! I am packing up my clothes, food, g&t and bass and going on a road trip to Bragg Creek for a weekend full of music. J has laringitis which is unfortunate since she loves to sing and I love to sing with her. Being the trooper that she is means that she is still coming. Hopefully she'll feel better soon and have a great weekend. I am of course bringing my camera so hopefully I will have some great shots to post when I get back.

Posted by songdawg at 08:48 AM | Comments (1) | My Life

May 13, 2003

May 13

Only 3 more sleeps until Bragg Creek.

Posted by songdawg at 08:41 PM | Comments (0) | My Life

May 11, 2003

Bathroom Renos

Our bathroom renovation will probably start this Thursday. We've picked out everything: It'll have white tiles on the floor with black design around the edge with white subway tiles half way up the wall with a black border. The last two things we picked out were the paint colour (a rasperry colour) and the light fixtures. Our new bathroom lights (still in the box) A before picture of our bathroom.

Posted by songdawg at 07:18 PM | Comments (0) | My Life

May 11, 2203

M Spent last night, watching chick flicks. M went out and did the blues thing. Lonely but it was nice to chill out and get a little space so I could relax.

Posted by songdawg at 11:08 AM | Comments (0) | My Life

May 08, 2003

May 8, 2003

Downtown building At the Bluegrass Jam Woman with guitar

Posted by songdawg at 07:20 PM | My Life

May 07, 2003

First Rain

At least it's not snow. Rumour has it there are hundreds of pigeons that live in this tunnel and that the city has a programme to catch and relocate them.

Posted by songdawg at 06:49 PM | My Life

May 06, 2003

New camera

Exchanged the new Pentax Optio S for a Canon Powershot A70. I like it better already. This rooster is part of our metal animal sculpture collection that we put in our garden when it isn't snowing. And yup it's still snowing, the heavy snowfall warning should end sometime tomorrow.

Posted by songdawg at 07:44 PM | My Life

May 05, 2003

More snow

Another snowy day	Elena	My current cubicle
Squeak	Gogoi

Posted by songdawg at 08:29 PM | Comments (0) | My Life

May 04, 2003

Still Snowing

Still snowing...

Posted by songdawg at 11:40 AM | Comments (0) | My Life

May 03, 2003

K & M up in a tree

Last night we went to Pearl River to celebrate Kathy's birthday. Pearl River is the best Chinese restaurant in town, we've been going there quite a bit this year. Her family was there as well as a bunch of friends. There was a little surprise - Kathy and Mike announced their engagement and asked if Marshall would be the best man! Of course he said yes. It wasn't too much of a surprise since they are so much in love that it was bound to happen eventually. We also got a chance to look at David's travel albums - his last trip was to Brazil. He has amazing shots of the different plants and animals. I particularly liked his shots of piranha fishing. I bought a new digital camera - Pentax Optio S. It's very small so I can put it in my pocket - it supposedly fits in an Altoids tin. I used it last night for the first time, there are so many settings that I will have to spend time figuring it out. But so far so good. I still wish I hadn't had that little accident with my old camera! Oh - my band needs a name. We are 4 women who play and sing bluegrass music. If you can think of a name send me an email or post it in the comments. It also snowed again last night - snow on May 2nd I can't believe it. Marshall & Kathy Toby & Marshall

Kathy & Mike Mike, David & Kathy Kathy & Erin

Posted by songdawg at 11:15 AM | Comments (0) | My Life

April 30, 2003

Honda Ad

This has been getting a lot of pass-along lately. A TV ad for Honda that uses an intricate Rube Goldberg getup: http://home.attbi.com/~bernhard36/honda-ad.html

M's mom is feeling better every day and should be going home on Saturday.

Since I drowned my digital camera I have been looking into buying a new one and it looks like the best one for us will be the Canon Powershot A70. M would rather have a digital video camera so that we can record his parents' telling their story. Looks like the Sony DCR-TRV33 is the best bet. One of the helpful sites is the CNET reviews section: it has comparisons, specification, user reviews etc. It is american so all of the dollar amounts need to be converted. I am definitely not an expert when it comes to comparison shopping for this stuff - if anyone has some insight send me an email or post a comment!

Posted by songdawg at 07:22 AM | Comments (2) | Funny and/or Cool | My Life

April 27, 2003

Heavy Snowfall Warning

No joke - Environment Canada has a Heavy Snowfall Warning for the region.

I would show you a picture but I fried my trusty digital camera by accidently spilling water on/in it. Way to go! It's an older model - I bought it in January 1999, it is getting obsolete but still worked great for web photos.

I worked out this morning so I feel pretty good. I am going to have lunch with Marshall and watch the snow fall while listening to CKUA.

Posted by songdawg at 11:05 AM | Comments (0) | My Life

April 24, 2003

Acoustic Music Shop

Went to the Acoustic Music Shop after work yesterday to get our acoustic guitar's strings changed to a heavier gauge. Rod and Lee were there rigging up a contraption using old guitar strings to get into Lee's car - he locked himself out. Pictured is the re-enactment of Lee successfully unlocking the door - that click is such a sweet sound. Click! your in! Anyways Rod is a great guy, great luthier, great bass player and fine supporter of acoustic music. So if you are in town and need anything acoustic-music oriented that is the place to go. The guitar sounds great - I played it at bluegrass last night.

Lee opening his car door with guitar strings Rod - Mr. Acoustic Music

Posted by songdawg at 07:57 AM | Comments (0) | My Life

April 22, 2003

Furnace Dude

I am cranky and tired and I am going to rant a little...

The furnace ordeal took 9 HOURS and cost $900!

Furnace Dude was here until 12:15 last night - he was obviously overtired and not thinking straight. He had to change the gas valve - it took him over 40 minutes just to take it off, seems when his company installed the furnace they put it on too tight. Then he had to go and get a replacement (Should you go get and test one before you take the old one off?). The replacement didn't work so he had to get another one. Then he had to change the ignition - which seemed to work before he started working on our furnace but stopped during his fixing. It was a crazy long night. Which cost us $900 for parts including a $65 visit fee.

The furnace is only 5 years old and we didn't realize that our warranty was up about a month ago - BURN!

I have no idea if the repairs were all necessary and if it's normal for a furnace to only last 5 years before you have to replace the major parts - the original furnace cost $1500 - the repairs $900. The downside about owning a home is having to learn about all of this stuff that I would rather be oblivious to.

Posted by songdawg at 07:07 AM | Comments (0) | My Life

April 21, 2003

Weekend Update

I had a great musical weekend. On Friday I went with Sheila to the Uptown Folk Club Open Stage, we played Blue Ridge Cabin Home, Sittin Alone in the Moolight and FireBall Mail. Terry Knutsen and Jim came up with us, they are fabulous players. It's good to always invite better players than you to play with, it helps you sound better! Marshall went up with Charles Weaver - they did an acoustic folk/blues thing with guitar and mandolin - it was great.

On Saturday, Marshall and I went to the Northern Lights Folk Club to see Maria Dunn and David Ward. Great concert! Marshall particularly like David's songs, I really like Maria's song writing.

On Sunday we went with Anna and George (my in-laws) to the Bavern Schmaus (spelling?), its an austrian/german restaurant. Not the greatest variety for someone who is allergic to eggs and pork but the cook whipped up an excellent chicken dish for me. Everyone else had schnizel with dumplings. It was great to hear them talk about when they met and some of the adventures they had. They are celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary this summer.

We had an appointment to get our furnace checked at 3:30pm today, it's been a little troublesome. The guy didn't arrive until 6:15, it's almost 10pm and the guy is still not done! He had to run out to get a part. And it's going to cost us $380 plus the extra labour. Maybe we should have gotten a second opinion cause we have no idea if we are being taken for a ride. This company is the company that installed the furnace originally so they should know what they are doing. But I don't have the greatest feeling about it. Hope it turns out well.

Posted by songdawg at 10:00 PM | Comments (0) | My Life

April 15, 2003

More Snow

Woke up to more snow this morning - I can't believe it. Here's a picture of our back yard through the screen in the back room. Come on summer! I worked out last night for the first time in two months and I am not even sore this morning. I am going to try to keep it up and work out at least 3 times a week, it really makes me feel more relaxed and focussed. Maybe even make a habit out of it...

Posted by songdawg at 10:27 PM | Comments (0) | My Life

Solar X-ray

Jon sent me a link to x-ray movies of the sun. Click here and select one of the movies or click here to download one of the movies directly.

Posted by songdawg at 07:19 AM | Comments (0) | My Life

April 10, 2003

Geeks I Work With

I am back working at the Sierra Highfield office, picture are some of the Geeks I work with.

David the 'Magic Man" "This Hour has 22 minutes loving from down east" Mike Jon the Film Major turned Java guru Jason all-round hardware->software geek

Posted by songdawg at 09:59 PM | Comments (0) | My Life

April 09, 2003

Jamming

Brought M's acoustic guitar to the Bluegrass jam this evening. From 7-7:30 they have a slow pitch jam where they slow songs down and teach them chord by chord. It was great to play guitar it gave me a better perspective on bass playing and the part that each instrument plays. I held my own and even played a couple in the jam afterwards. Jim from Maplecreek helped me out by coaching me on the chords and on where to place the capo for different keys. Once J and S arrived we went downstairs to practice to get ready for our harmony lesson on Saturday. I like those sassy gals.

I am moving onto a new project tomorrow at work - part of why I like being a consultant is that I get to start new projects every couple of months. I probably shouldn't have stayed up playing music so late...

Posted by songdawg at 11:25 PM | Comments (0) | My Life

April 08, 2003

Getting Things Done

I signed up for an online course with Barnes and Noble University. They have a bunch of free courses on everything from Astrology to Building Web pages. The course I signed up for is called "Getting Things Done". I am a Virgo and when under stress and when I feel my life is too chaotic I have an unresistable urge to organize. Poor M is lonely and neglected while I isolate myself and create order from the chaos. I've read the first two lessons and picked up a couple of tips. So far I have organized my email (sorted through over 200) and organized my Palm Pilot's calendar, memos and to do lists. Aaaah, muchbetter. I have been listening today to the group La Volee d'Castors (The Flock of Beavers for you non-francos), I saw them at the Edmonton Folk Festival two summers ago. This summer's line up includes: Norah Jones, Solomon Burke, Taj Mahal, Blackie & the Rodeo Kings, Eric Bibb, Ricky Skaggs and Dar Williams. It's going to be a great weekend. Today was a beautiful day, it reached 11 degrees - I think spring might actually be here... but I won't bet any money on it. The Leprechaun came by today and started the renos. He just needs to sand the wall and paint. Anyone have ideas for paint colour for our living room?

In Progress

Posted by songdawg at 09:07 PM | Comments (0) | My Life

April 07, 2003

The Renos Begin

We are finally starting our house renovations. Of course we are going to hire people to do them which has been tough cause this city has been booming. Step one will be to remove the dark mirrored tiles with the gold lines from our living room wall (pictures to the right). Tomorrow our contractor - self-titled The Leprechaun (it's on his business card I swear) will tear them down and patch the wall so its ready for painting after the hardwood has been refinished. Then we'll meet with him tomorrow evening - to give us his quote for the bathroom and to show us some tiles he found that we might like. He seems like a great guy, I hope it works out. So, after 3 years we are finally starting. Here are the before pictures of our house taken when we first moved in. It's going to be great.

Before shots

Posted by songdawg at 10:05 PM | Comments (0) | My Life

April 03, 2003

April snow

Here are a few shots of downtown that I took from the office where I am working in the Canadian Western Bank building. It was an OK day except M is in a bad mood and trying to pick a fight. He is blaring the tv which he knows drives me crazy, I am going to try and ignore him - I am just too wiped to deal with it. Marriage - what a crazy institution. He just walked in the room - yup, definitely picking a fight. Silly boy :)

Dreary downtown - to the right Dreary downtown - to the left

Posted by songdawg at 09:36 PM | Comments (0) | My Life | TrackBack

Back to Work

I slept on the couch all day yesterday with a couple bouts of daytime tv watching. It's been so long since I have had the flu that I had forgotten what it was like: hit by a bus feeling, sore throat, fever, headache. No pics from yesterday, didn't think my living room ceiling was that interesting.

Though when they were discussing the SARS symptoms on tv, the symptoms sounded very familiar (being flu-like symptoms). LB jokingly asked how M was coping with my having SARS. If you know M at all you would know that he has hypochondriac tendencies and that he would flip:) But I don't even think it crossed his mind. He was a sweetheart: brought me soup, picked up the slack around the house etc.

Well, I am off to work: CIPS meeting at lunch, project deadline to reach for tomorrow afternoon. Hope it's a productive day and flies by. I feel like going back to bed but instead I will point myself towards the door and forge ahead.

Snowed again last night. Forecast for today: Periods of snow and a HIGH of -7.

Posted by songdawg at 07:28 AM | Comments (0) | My Life | TrackBack

April 02, 2003

Out of commission

I caught the bug that is going around so I am at home fighting/sleeping it off. I feel terrible. It's a good thing I don't usually catch what is going around and that I bounce back pretty quick. Lots of Vitamin C and water...

Posted by songdawg at 11:36 AM | Comments (2) | My Life | TrackBack

April 01, 2003

Poisson d'Avril

I woke up this morning to find the ground blanketed with snow ...again. Nature's April Fool's joke.

More snow

Posted by songdawg at 07:12 AM | Comments (2) | My Life | TrackBack

March 31, 2003

Monday

Had a great conversation with C - she turned me onto Lyle Lovett (I bought my ticket Saturday). Actually thanks C! Every cd that you have given me has become one of my favourites. You have great taste in music! Gave a demo presentation today which went OK though I wish we were further along on the project. I am going to study for an hour tonight and start gearing up to write my next exam. It would be great to get all 4 written by the summer but I don't think that's realistic - I would have to drop everything and only focus on preparing. It might be worth it for a few months if it means that I get it done - nah... nice thought but it won't happen... I like playing music too much. Here is a link to what inspired me to create this blog: "Feature - Anything and Everything What is Lomography? Forget everything you've learned about photography, just take your camera everywhere you go and take pictures of your life as you live it. Have fun and capture the moment. What should you photograph? Anything and Everything."

Mystery produce Buying groceries - M's fake stern face Driving home - it's soooo flat here

Posted by songdawg at 09:26 PM | Comments (3) | My Life | TrackBack

March 30, 2003

Broken Leg Dream

I don't usually remember my dreams but last night I dreamt that I had broken my left leg. My foot was huge and purple - it looked like a rubber glove that is blown up- puffy with big fat toes. It wasn't painful but I had to go and get a cast. In my dream, my life kept on going, I went to work etc. The only difference was that I had a broken leg with a huge cast on. So I went snooping around the web for dream symbolism and found a site called Dream Moods. Excerpt: "...To dream that your legs are wounded or crippled, signifies a lack of balance, autonomy, or independence in your life. You may be unable or unwilling to stand up for yourself. Perhaps you are lacking courage and refuse to make a stand... ...Generally, the leg relates to the balance in your life and your ability to navigate through life. And to dream that your leg is wounded in some way suggests that you are preoccupied with the path your life is taking. " That about sums it up...

My feet First squirrel sighting of the year My DawgHouse

Posted by songdawg at 11:15 AM | Comments (0) | My Life | TrackBack

March 27, 2003

Long crazy day

Another crazy day. I need to de-stress, maybe I should take up soap stone carving like Ross does. Too bad I have no talent for that kind of thing. I guess I'll stick to playing bass. Attended a board meeting today, pictured are few 'folks' (nod to Peter) that are also on the CIPS Edmonton board. My term is winding down which will leave me with more time for other things like music. CIPS is a great organization, great way to meet other local IT people. I don't know to what extent I will still be involved but I will continue going to the dinner meetings. Work is busy with some heavy duty deadlines looming, I just try to keep focussed and get as much done as possible to meet the target. I know I am getting frazzled cause I find myself holding my breath - always a bad sign! I have (on the commute to and from work) been listening to the Venerable Punnaji Dharma talks that were recorded at the last meditation retreat I went to. What an amazing person.

Ross & Peter Kevin & Ross Cruisin in the moon-mobile

Posted by songdawg at 09:46 PM | Comments (0) | My Life

March 26, 2003

Commute to Work

Spring is on it's way! Here is a picture of the Edmonton skyline that I took on my way to work this morning. You can still see some snow. I am a little stressed about work, so far creating this blog has been a great diversion. Thank goodness it's Wednesday - I got to go to the Bluegrass jam and play to my heart's content. I was able to sing some harmonies with J and S but since it was Band Scramble night I practiced with a few folks and went up to play a couple of tunes. I was so tired that I had a hard time concentrating. But it was great fun as usual.

Posted by songdawg at 10:47 PM | Comments (0) | My Life

Squeak

My little Squeaky - she is such a cutie. It has been so cold this winter that I haven't taken her to get her wings clipped which means that she can fly around the house. She usually doesn't unless startled. Here she is hanging out while Marshall and I cuddled on the couch and watch "The War".

Posted by songdawg at 06:17 PM | My Life