Time for Version 2.349

Lost and Lazy by 54-40

Time.

It's been on my mind a lot of late. Stands to reason, with one year winding down and new fresh start about to break free. Many of us begin to contemplate resolutions, things we want to change or improve with ourselves and our lives over the coming year. But I prefer to think in terms of dreams and hopes. Like, I hope I see the end of 2017 :)

There seems to be more than the usual amount of people anxious to see the back end of 2016. Can't say that I blame them in some respect but I cringe at the thought of wishing away time!

2016 did not offer enough time for way too many celebrities and musicians that us baby boomers felt a little too acutely. Musicians included David Bowie, George Michael, Prince, Glenn Frey, Merle Haggard (who died on his birthday), Leonard Cohen, George Martin, Greg Lake, Keith Emmerson, Paul Katner and Maurice White. And that's just scratching the surface. The thing is, many of these artists died of age related complications and they are my age! 

I don't have hard facts to back it up, but I wouldn't argue with the suggestion that 2016 was the year the music died. Of course, the day that the music died is considered to be February 3, 1959 when Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, J.P. "The Big Bopper" Richardson along with their pilot died in a single plane crash. 

Time stopped for many celebrities that also fell into the category of boomer age or those we grew up watching. Our Brady mom, Florence Henderson, Abe Vigoda, Alan Rickman, Pat Harrington, Doris Roberts, Garry Marshall, Gene Wilder, Gordie Howe, Alan Thicke and of course Carrie Fisher followed one day later by her mom Debbie Reynolds.

It seemed all a little overwhelming. Every other day another idol - gone. Heart attacks, Alzheimers, cancer. Diseases and ailments we can all contract. It's quite different from the drug or booze filled tragedies that took our celebrities too young. The 27 club. Or accidents like the above mentioned plane crash.

So, what do we do with our time. We all know that nothing is guaranteed. How do we want to spend the moments we have?

It's a subject that seems to have come up very often this year in particular. We all have time to take care of necessary business (work, chores, sleep, etc) and a varying amount of free time. Leisure. I wouldn't judge how anyone chooses to spend their time, but I would remind them that the decision is not set in stone. 

In my last few years, I have become more spontaneous for this very reason. I don't want life to pass me by while I am watching TV or checking out Facebook. Although I must say that those activities can sure be easier on the pocket book than the concert tickets or meals out. Fact is, every time you walk out the door it is likely gonna cost you money. A little or a lot...although sometimes none. 

But while I am out gallivanting about town, my dishes are not getting done, Twitter is chirping merrily along, another episode has aired, and facebook has no idea what has become of me. But I have met some awesome people and musicians, I have volunteered to make my community a better place, I have been there for my friends, and they have been there for me. 

My personal relationships have never been so strong. Because I started (still a work in progress) to pick up the phone to call a friend instead of messaging. I gotta say, it feels good. But it takes time. I can't multi-task as well, I certainly can't talk to 2, 3 or more people at one time - unless a group convo. I want to do my part to ensure that the art of conversation does not go down the same dead end road that cursive writing seems to be heading for.  


I don't want to find myself in hell! As I am older, I am wiser. I will continually strive to be a better version of myself. If technology has taught us nothing else, it has shown us that there are always tweaks that can be made to improve the core project. 

But I must act quickly before I run out of time! The most precious of commodities that can be neither bought nor sold. Just borrowed. 

Please, when we get the chance to be with each other, take the time to see me and be with me. There will be plenty of time for selfies, texts, and games when I'm gone. I'm gonna try and I hope you will too! 

If you need me, have patience I can't hear the phone ring over the sound of the music or laughter!

So Let's Go - An Evening with Alan Doyle

So Let's Go - Alan Doyle

So Let's Go is the new CD release from Great Big Sea former frontman and founder Alan Doyle. Alan Thomas Doyle! 

By coincidence, "Let's go" was the first full sentence my baby girl uttered some 26 years ago. And being Mothers' Day it all seems to be falling together that I write today. When you can't spend the day with your children on Mothers Day the next best thing for me is to spend the day with music. Wait that's every day...lol!

Alan Doyle and I at his book launch in Dartmouth Oct 2014

I bought my tickets for Alan Doyle back in November of last year when they first went on sale. Up early with the alarm set I was clicking furiously to nab a couple of good seats. I had no idea who the other ticket was for but the show was 6 months away. There was lots of time to decide and the person who joined me was a great pick for she has the love of music like I. We have shared a lot of musical experiences, with more on the horizon. 

A personally signed book for me

It was birthday last November when a friend told me that Alan Doyle would be at a book signing in the area if I was interested in going. My son (God bless his soul) sent me early birthday money so that I could buy his memoir and get it signed. What a thrill that turned out to be! We got to hear Alan reading from his book and I'm tell you that his voice and accent was so captivating that when I read the book for myself I could hear his voice in the back of my mind. 

Where I Belong is a fabulous read. One of those books, I couldn't put down. Alan Doyle and I grew up in the same era but with lives as different as night and day. All right I admit that he is younger than I am. But growing up in Petty Harbour, as he did, was nothing like my existence with indoor plumbing in the bustling metropolis (in comparison) of Thunder Bay. It's funny how no matter what we think about it as adults, home is home. There is always an attachment to this place where your life began. I recommend picking up Alan Doyles book for a light summer read and some personal reflection on growing up in a small fishing village in Newfoundland. The man and the music were born there. I should note that this is not a memoir of the band Great Big Sea. The story ends before the musical wave of GBS broke.

Great Big Sea burst onto the mainstream musical scene in 1995 with the release of Run Runaway from the album Up. Their first album which was self-titled and self-produced was released in 1992 and included several traditional folk songs as well as original compositions and although it produced no chart topping hits at the time it did lead to a recording contract with Warner Brothers Canada. The climb to the top was not a gentle slope however and included extensive touring about the land which could include up to 300 days a year. Two decades later and 10 full-length releases among other projects and the band is now on hiatus. I missed my chance to see the whole band, but I have seen 2 of the founding members solo performances.

I was a fan from my first experience with the lively, move your body to the music and sing along style of Up. I was drawn to the East Coast traditional folk music that spoke of water, sailing and fishing...and rum! :) Alan Doyle has a voice that I wish I could hear whispering sweet nothings in my ear and when he speaks with that devil may care spirit and Newfoundland accent...it's all there.

And that is how the Friday night show at the Rebecca Cohn Auditorium started. Alan walked onto the stage alone, carrying a red Solo cup, he approached the microphone and began to talk to the assembled masses like he was welcoming us to his home. He then broke into song. Just him, no instruments but that velvety smooth voice with the long hair framing his face and that ready smile. You feel the passion in the words. You are drawn into his world as you, too, Dream of Home. 

The Beautiful Gypsies were the back up band that soon joined Alan on stage and what an amazing assemblage of musicians. Cory Tetford on guitar is a name I am familiar with because of his association with the band Crush and his other stints with Barney Bentall and other musicians. And a beautiful smile and ready wave to an eager audience member! ;) Kendel Carson is a very talented fiddler and singer who was a part of the Paperboys, and Belle Star. I was mesmerised watching her, worried that her long blonde locks would get tangled in the bow or the strings. The hair was flying, the feet were tapping, there was energy in her performance. Kris Macfarlane took the sticks to the skins as he had done for many years with Great Big Sea. He has spent more time looking at my backside than anyone else, quipped Doyle. Plucking the string on the bass is Shehab Illyas a multi-talented filmaker, composer, photographer and musician from Halifax. And finally there was Todd Lumley who alternated between the horizontal keys on the keyboard and the vertical ones on the accordion. Todd Lumley was a member of the Canadian alternative rock band The Waltons (1987-2001) and also Hawksley Workmen. 

The Waltons along with 54-40 and Spirit of the West are sadly severely underrated Canadian bands. Love them! Always and forever. 

The show which marked the final stop on a North American tour celebrating his second solo album, was high energy and interspersed with thoughtful ballads. And fair warning future audience members, Alan does not like to be the only one in the house rocking it out! But with so much of the music being top-tapping infectious you can't help but want to join in the dance. So when Alan like a preacher raises his arms for his flock to stand, they do...nay they jump up ready to dance! The set list was planned perfectly for a great mix of audience participation and always beautiful music. 

Young and old and everything in between, couples, partners, friends and groups. The full house was stomping and clapping, hands in the air, singing along. But it wasn't just fans in the audience, in Halifax (his home away from home on the mainland) Alan's friends and family joined him. Yes, the "fairest in the land" was in attendance. How proud she must be watching her hubby on stage. And jealous listening to all the "I love you's" screamed at him? Could've been me? 

In a recent newspaper article (Metro News) Alan was quoted as saying, "I loved all my time playing music in those rooms (referring to smaller area pubs like The Lower Deck) and I always thought it was a really beautiful thing to be the powerhouse of an Atlantic Canadian pub." He still is and has that power, but now his pub is a little bit bigger. His fans are greater in number and the love fest shows no signs of slowing. Thankfully!  

Taking no hiatus, Alan will soon be on the road once again, supporting The Barenaked Ladies. But before that look for him at Music Festivals happening near you. Thunder Bay, I'm jealous.

On a personal note, I want to thank my best musical friend, who has given me the courage to pursue my musical passion as a solo listener, a duet or with a band of merry followers. Thanks Debra. I am grateful.

*As always, please do not steal my words or pictures. Thank you. 

The drum kit with that iconic self-portrait Alan draws :)

Alan Doyle come out with his red solo cup to greet the audience and wow them with a solo performance.

L-R: Todd Lumley, Kris MacFarlane, Cory Tetford, Shehab Illyas, Alan Doyle, Kendal Carson

Getting the crowd going

A pause for a beverage and a chat :)

Singing with passion

I was able to get a guitar pic, set list and venue poster! :)
Now I must persue some signage...

Alan Doyle
http://alandoyle.ca/
Cory Tetford
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crush_(Canadian_band)
Barney Bentall
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barney_Bentall
The Paperboys
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Paperboys
The Waltons
http://jam.canoe.com/Music/Pop_Encyclopedia/W/Waltons.html
Hawksley Workmen
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hawksley_Workman
Kris MacFarlane
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kris_MacFarlane
Shehab Illyas
http://www.shehabillyas.com/
The Waltons
http://www.maplemusic.com/artists/wal/bio.asp
54-40
http://www.5440.com/
Spirit of the West
http://sotw.ca/
Halifax, Metro News
http://metronews.ca/news/halifax/

I Am Free to be Me and You are Free to Dislike That.

I Could Give You More - 54-40

Christmas 2011 is a memory as is the frantic shoppers in the malls scrambling for the bargains on Boxing Day. I didn't spend a lot of time in the malls but in all, I really didn't find the insanity usually associated with the high stress season. With one notable exception, a "friend" on facebook complained about being hit with a shopping cart in a grocery store 3 times. When it happened a fourth time he rammed his cart into the lady quipping that he did it because he was in the spirit of giving. So he took his frustration with the other shoppers' actions and perhaps his own stress out on someone who very likely unintentionally bumped him. Seriously, how many of us have been hit in the back of the heel with a cart. Yes, it stings but it is barely life-threatening. Well, I took him to task on his childish behaviour - suggested he go have a stiff drink and calm down before he actually kills someone because they look at him askance. We are no longer "friends". lol! It's a good thing, I dislike it when someone thinks they are better than someone else.

I know that feeling and it hurts. Regardless of the level of your self-esteem, someone who belittles you for who you are invariably takes the wind out of your sails. You don't stand quite as tall and you question if what they see is maybe true and you have it all wrong. Repeatedly over the past years it has happened to me by certain people, I have tried to brush it off but sometimes it is just too hard. Sometimes you are so proud of your accomplishments that when you are put down you want to break down. I am non-confrontational, I will take what you say, even if it hurts and eat it like I deserve it. Call it years of conditioning - learned behaviour. I let it go, not by talking to the offender but by writing. Another learned behaviour - and I have years of journals and diaries to show for that. Well, someone read what I wrote and not understanding where it came from and why, took personal offense to it. It is perhaps unfortunate that the issue did not come to a conclusion when it happened and that is my fault, but being it isn't the first time it happened, I won't take all the blame. Besides a Christmas gathering may not be the best setting for airing concerns. 

But the rest of the holiday celebrations went fabulously. Holding true to my belief that all I wanted for Christmas couldn't be bought in a store, I requested no gift that was worn or dusted. I forced the gift buyers into really thinking about their choices, because they couldn't wander the mall and grab the first decent item they saw. So many gifts are not chosen with the recipient in mind but rather some form of media told them that this was the must have item this season, it has to be bought because everyone else was getting or got one already. I will be going to see Jim Cuddy in concert with a guest of my choosing, I will be attending a comedy performance with my son, and even though it must be dusted - a new Pink Panther clock hangs on the wall above my work station. And I feel the love with each and every item. And each item that I gave, I gave with love and thoughtfulness. 

Christmas doesn't have to be about the money spent. 

I heard a news item in the days before Christmas that the average amount of money that people expected to spend on gifts was $1000, and most had not saved that much. With the demand for the latest and greatest electronics the hot ticket items for wrapping to put under the tree, I can see that number being significantly higher. A smart phone runs say $500, a must have tablet is $700 and the price of a flat screen TV is right up there as well. And that is one gift...one person. So it is off to the dollar store to finish off the rest of the list...lol! Jimmy Kimmel, a late night talk show host sent out a video challenge for parents to wrap up ordinary items and tell kids that they could open up this one gift early. The resulting footage was comical and sad. 

Jimmy Kimmel Show - Terrible Present Challenge

Some of the kids were a little miffed and the boy who tells his sister to be appreciative for a half eaten sandwich restores my faith in humanity. The boy who had a temper tantrum and physically and verbally lashed out at his parents needs some lessons in humility and graciousness. The bottom line is the kids were for the most part rude and ungrateful. This was a prank. 

Twitter saw a host of tweets from disgruntled gift recipients. Sadly absurd, people complained that they got an iPad instead of an iPhone, or a car. Parents were sworn at and called a host of derogatory names for not fulfilling the outrageously expensive demands of the spoiled offspring. There were threats of death and self-harm. Mostly it was whining and childish. A car for Christmas! Wow, that's not asking for a lot. In my world, you would be sorely disappointed and hate me. And I am more than okay with that! Your opinion doesn't define me. 

I am free to be me and you are free to dislike that. In this day and age it is as easy as clicking the "unfriend" button on facebook. No offense taken, it's probably for the best. Have a fabulous day! SMILE! :)