Misterchipig VS The Killers

The Killers have done their homework, listened to the right records, and stolen from the right people! The songs are full of new wave riffing and their choruses are high on the spine tingle count. Tess and I scored tickets to see them at the Molson Amphitheatre May 31st with bi-coastal Canadian twins Tegan and Sara. Speaking of the Rock, Vancouver stalwarts SNFU fly to Onterrible to rip it up April 28th. This is the best punk rock band you might be lucky enough to see this spring, and you never know when you might get another chance.

I used all my rocket fuel last week to paint the kitchen. I needed to gauge manual stresses and I’m pretty sure I got a good mark, though it was mighty tiring.

I’m one of those nutbars that like going to work.

I led the life of an artist (usually a starving one) until I was thirty-two, at which time I got my first day-gig in an office. I like the comedy, I like the discipline involved, and I like to wake up in the morning. I like the fact that "personal cause" (usually) translates into "personal effect." Being in a band means you have to rely on and work with three or four people to succeed. Creative people are often tortured souls, and work can be uneven. I find day jobbing is more individualistic, there is more personal glory involved, and I like the challenge of the trajectory.

So many people are miserable with work, but if you hate it so much why bother? You could move to Costa Rica and serve drinks for two days a week to put food in your belly - (my dream retirement job.) You could certainly do without the massive SUV lease. Speaking of which, it’s high time that these creatures became unfashionable.

It’s been almost three months since surgery, slacking is about to become a thing of the past and I’m headed back to work Monday. As Phil R. so eloquently said on the phone yesterday, “Oprah and Dr. Phil have really great shows, but it’s time to move forward.”

On the bicycle front, I cherry burst my first ride post-op today. My baby hooked me up with a new helmet, a front light, and small rearview mirror yesterday, and I’m definitely going for a scoot.

15 Degrees today - good times.

Got Soul? 

Now Playing

"Democracy" by Killing Joke

John M., Brian, Hannah M. - East of Toronto 

Max and Ryan rock out. 

Jeff Buckley helped me paint the kitchen.

My first exposure to Jeff Buckley was on television during Glastonbury '94. I was in southern England making a Bootsauce record at the time, and having a great time with my buddies. It was time for a wee break in the afternoon, and I took off for the serenity of the lounge, ringing ears and hangover in tow, to watch television. Onscreen I saw a guy and his band set up their gear and start to play. They jumped from the screen into the ether of Jacobs Studio with a vengeance and tore into their stuff. Jeff, (son of folk hero hippie Tim Buckley) and his band played an amazing set that afternoon, and he completely blew everyone away with his live version of songs from the brilliant breakthrough album Grace. I couldn’t tear myself away. Their set went down like something important to witness - this meant something; it was clear that something special was in the air. I was so moved I practically destroyed a snare drum that afternoon. Sadly, Buckley was to drown in 1997; a talent taken far too soon, his genius half-tapped.

If you don’t know Grace do yourself a favour and go buy it. Buckley and his band of New Yorkers play “loosely tight” as Jimmy Page once said, the songs are amazing, and it belongs in your stash.

Besides. It’s great music to paint the kitchen to.

Back In the Saddle

Today I led my first Spinning class since January 9th, which was predictably awesome. Standout song: "Regret" by New Order. (Nobody can get away with the retro sound like the Frapper.)

I'd write more, but I'm knee deep in primer and spackling compound. 11 more sleeps before I get back on the hamster wheel~!

Taylor Creek 

Ashbridge's Bay - March 05 

Find the White Beast.

70 Days On. 

Funky Crate

I told the Taylor Creekers that I’d like to get a snap of them in action before my day of reckoning comes in April. Secret Agent Everett is 'outta here like Vladamir' and moving to the Bruce Peninsula in May. Unfortunately, his wife recently died, and he is bailing out of his long time career at the CBC to retire at 51; it’ll be a shame to see him go, and needless to say, it’s too bad his girl isn’t going with him. The best-laid plans are fragile of course, and require constant revision.

Yesterday I ran into my Trenton High School buddy Klass and his two boys at the Laundromat. (It’s true I admit it. I wash Luna’s nasty crate blankets there.) Of course it’s been way too long since I’ve seen Klass. He and his family live blocks away, and this was the first time I’d met his enthusiastic fellas. His boys with Jackie are predictably beautiful, and by coincidence they know another notable Creeker, Fred the Grand Poobah. We had a coffee and caught up before exchanging numbers and promising to call each other.

So if having a brain tumour wasn’t enough, I’m painting my kitchen. ("It's not the destination it's the process.") Leaving the store this morning paint supplies in hand I heard a great song on CBC by Canadians Tegan and Sara. I don’t know what the song was called but it was really awesome and uplifting. Those two sisters have managed to stumble into something special, that’s for sure.

The results of CBC Radio’s 50 Tracks are in by the way, and it’s good to see ‘New York City’ by the Demics included. Maybe there is justice in Canada after all.

From today’s good news file: Shamsha Amarsi, the girl thrown from the bridge by her suicidal father earlier this month came home from the hospital today. Good luck little Sister.

Taylor Creek - Feb 05 

Small Primate/ Large Canine

"Would you happen to have any food?"

First Day of Spring

NP: "The First Day of Spring"
THE GANDHARVAS

Winter is officially over, and spring has sprung itself forward like a thirsty man at a Winnipeg 'Two-For-One'. I almost bought some perennial bulbs to plant in the back yard today, but my (sensible) wife drew a line in the snow suggesting that perhaps we should wait until the ground thaws and the credit card cycle sees me back to work. I would have to pay the balance to zero anyway, (I hate paying interest), or I'd feel like a schmuck.

Good deal on Chocolate Pecan Pie at Dominion today: $9.97

Yum.

People That You Meet

Today I ran into a guy dog walking I hadn’t seen since a blindingly bright day in January. We walked for miles, and our dogs were really happy running together. (His dog is a Whippet and mine is a Shepherd, and they cut quite a rug and make quite a team, I can tell you.) We spent a lot of time talking about attitude and fortitude that clear and crunchy day. I was fresh out of surgery and the hospital, upbeat about recovery, and grooving on the sunshine.

Struggles.

Today he tells me he was diagnosed with HIV in 1992 and has been off work since 1994. He was in on the early protease inhibitor trials and is now running out of options. He is looking toward the combination of two more experimental drugs but may ‘run out of time’ before they're approved and he can try them.

Trouble.

This guy laughs at traffic problems and thinks nothing of long lines, crowded stores, or any of life’s trivial little headaches. Today he exuded peace and acceptance, and was radiant with wide-open honesty. I’m fortunate that he decided to share his story with me, and hope in some small way I can be there for him in the future.

Song of the Day: “She Bangs the Drums”
THE STONE ROSES

As Iggy Pop once sang, “I’m the Chairman of the Bored.”

I’m not however, that bored. If God one day said to me “Johnny, you never have to work another day in your life”, I’d have no problem filling the days and don’t feel a pressing need to have a million dollars before I’m forty. Life is as precious and as fleeting as the disappearing snow. Just imagine a life of Tessing, fitness, dog walks, music, volunteering, books, movies, cycling, chumming, cooking, cleaning, blogging, and of course ‘skiving.’

skive
Noun. An evasion of one's tasks, a period of shirking.
Verb. To evade doing one's work or duties.

British slang rules.

I stopped in to see some old friends and workmates this morning. Sláinte chugat.

Anyway, I’m off. Time to do the ‘hooverin’. (vacuuming)

• Nisan and Sonny