Final Days

It's no secret that I love Revy. A couple of weeks ago I went home and spent a few days sadly packing up my things to put into storage. It's hard to pack up when you don't know when and where you'll be unpacking.

To procrastinate, I went for one last road ride.

Finally, everything was done. And we loaded up James' jeep, Peanut, and the Cosmic Valise. I moseyed over to the storage space and that was that. A month ago I had a nice little house in the mountains. Now I have a swank storage space. Amazing how things change. I suppose the house didn't really anchor me, but with that gone I do feel like I am floating up...up...and away. No idea where I'll land when I get back from India. So far I am leaving the work thing open as I am still hoping to go to Whitehorse this winter. Time will tell. Looking at everything in there certainly makes me wonder...what is really worth keeping? Some of those boxes haven't even been opened since they were in storage in Victoria. I feel a purge coming on with my next move.

Does anyone have a gasoline soaked rag and a match??

As a final insult to the melancholy feeling of leaving a rainbow appeared. Yes. Like I didn't already know that this town was where the friggin' rainbow ended.
Sheesh.

Thankfully, Luc and Anna hosted a wicked jam that night and I proceeded to sing my troubles away. I couldn't have asked for a better send of. There were many fabulous musicians there that evening and I was pleased to have the opportunity to chuck along with them.

And so begins the next chapter.

In Defence of All the Things I've Been Slammin'

Such a Catholic am I. I have been feeling guilty about slamming school and living in K-town. So I will say there are a few great things about being here...just give me a sec...umm...

1) I have great profs. Really, they are great. In an alternate reality I would want to have a beer with most of them as they are smart, interesting, good folks.
2) I have a sweet pad here. It's quiet, it has a great view and it's close to the school. It has air con, and I get to control the heat all the time. True, I will have to do LOTS of nights on call to pay for all this when it is all said and done but anything beats living in a dark and dingy flop house with towels that smell funny and rotten macaroni behind the stove. Been there, done that.
3) The city affords some luxuries such as a nice selection of wines, cheeses, restaurants, art galleries...and good coffee, even on Sundays.
4) I can play music here at least once a week when the crazy schedule allows it.
5) I am learning the art of coping with stress and loneliness. Two things that will likely be a theme in my life for the next few years.
6) I can already run in shorts, and went for my first XC bike ride 2 days ago in the mud and snow!

Six is good for now.

Wagon Wheel (Cover Old Crow Medicine Show)

Though the visual aspect lost some quality in the upload, I thought it'd be nice to put a bit of music on the blog. This is us playing a cover of an Old Crow Medicine Show song called Wagon Wheel. Story has it that Bob Dylan made up the chorus on the fly while showing someone a chord progression during the recording for the soundtrack to "Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid". Dylan never released it but the recording has been released as a bootleg. Old Crow Medicine Show wrote the lyrics to the verses and made it famous.

Last night we recorded the jam in Dan's old house which currently stands empty. The acoustics were fabulous. Unfortunately the audio quality does little justice, but you get the idea. It was another inspiring night of music no matter what the sound quality anyway...just what my soul needed.

I noticed a cool trivia aspect to the real music video for this song...the couple selling tickets at the fair are none other than Gillian Welch and her husband/bandmate/guitar player David Rawlings. Glad I spotted Ms Welch, she is after all, in my humble opinion, the greatest female songwriter living or dead. If you watch the first video in the reel provided at the end of this one you'll hear some stylin' roots music and see my musical heroine. Enjoy!

Today's Special--Come Join in the Fun!

Yes, I know it was a cheesy kids show, "Today's Special" but for some reason when I sat down to write this entry the theme song from it popped into my head. I figured it fits. Anyone who knows me knows that I am always looking for a reason to celebrate---hence why there is almost always a bottle of bubbly in my fridge---wait--or maybe that is just because I am always looking for a reason to drink---ohhhh---well Champagne doesn't count, does it?

Anyway, as I was saying, I am always looking for a reason to celebrate, searching for those fleeting moments which you can't help but say to yourself--"It is good to be alive!" and embracing them, shining a light on them, and saying 'thanks' to whatever or whomever orchestrated it.



Today, I am celebrating some new found kindred spirits here in Kelowna. A crazy long-reaching chain of events involving the arctic circle, kayaking, Whistler, medical school entrance exams, and a woman named Saakje, led me to this group of fine folks here in Kelowna to whom I owe the awakening of the sleeping musician in me.

I have just been relishing in these big epic jams which always inspire me after a not-so-inspiring week of being surrounded by ruthless overachievers and lazy disrespectful underachievers.

Sleep be dammed, let the music fly!

A toast to the gang that continually make me smile here in K-Town.

Ray Lamontagne Trouble

This is possibly the most mesmerizing live version of an acoustic song I have ever seen. Mr. Lamontagne is brilliant. 'Nuff said.

Glenn Gould plays Bach

On a happier note--pun intended--today is Glenn Gould's birthday. He would have been 75. I thought I should just post this wee video as my tribute to him and how much he rocks. The guy is a genius. I also think it is great how he drove sound engineers mad whenever he was recorded in the studio as they would have to try and edit out his incessant humming. Bonne Fete Bonne Homme!!

And Then Suddenly a Mortgage Fell Out of the Sky

And into our bank accounts.

Has anyone noticed that the word "mort" or "death" is in the word "mortgage" before?

But really, the word "yippeeeeeee!" should also be in there because our house is such a wonderful place and both of us feel so excited that it is ours. Our own little piece of the mountainous pie. "A handsome view" of Begbie as Ryan pointed out. And a giant walnut tree that keeps the eyes of our neighbors and rays of 34 degree sun out of our living room.

Yes. It is official, John and I took possession of our giant bundle of joy just a few days ago. And so the great unpacking, sorting, and rearranging of belongings ensues.

So many new and exciting things to figure out; like how to tastefully hide all of your partners things without making him feel you don't like his stuff. Also discovering that the man you now own a house with is actually quite handy, good with a wrench and knows what to do with washers. What else but joint ownership would entail one waking up to a new knife rack in the kitchen?

And now he learns things about me as well I am sure. That I am no star at yard work, handing bugs in the basement, or letting dishes sit in the sink overnight.

Our housewarming party rocked---full of fantastic gourmet goodies from all of our foodie friends, great beer, wine and sparkling white flowed all night. Until John brought out the whiskey which apparently had liquid valium in it. Prior to the liquid sleep however we enjoyed wicked music from James and Verena, Steve, and Saakje. I think my drunken fingers spronged along the mando strings a few times as well for better or worse. Carlos started the dancing trend and soon Ann Marie and Sylvia were shaking it on our dancefloor as well.

So now there is a spare room and a cellar with plenty of good wine just waiting for weary friends from near and far to wander off the Trans Canada for some hospitality, Revy style.