The Speeding Ticket

Today I got my first speeding ticket. I was doing 94 in a 70 zone! It was about 8:45 am I was on my way to Port Edward going down Miller Bay Hill, the speed limit drops from 80 to 70 and I was not paying attention. Next thing I know lights were flashing and I was in trouble! To make matters worse I had forgotten my license at home and I handed the officer expired insurance papers. Finally I found my good papers and he let me off with a $138 ticket, but not before warning me that if his computer had been down and he was unable to verify my license he would have had to tow my van. Expensive Day... I am going to have to leave for work 10 min earlier now.

A Musical Ski Weekend in Terrace

What a great weekend. Hopped in the V-Dub van on Friday night and headed to Terrace. After a quick stop at WalMart (please don't crucify me for shopping at the cathedral of consumerism, I forgot to bring socks for the weekend!) we were off to the Kiva to do a sound check. It turned out to be a pretty quiet night due to some other conflicting events, but the crowd that was great and we had a good show. Slept in some the next day and managed to get a solid half-day in on the hill. Soft and slushy snow, bluebird skies and warm sun made for a superb ski day. Terrace has some great places to eat, we decided on the Golden Flame which happens to be across the street from my old apartment. After dinner we had a relaxing evening at Gary's while he Tarra, Alex and Andreas (who flew in from Germany) packed for their Bernie Cabin Heli Ski Trip. Sunday Morning Steve and I had breakfast with Tobi, Laura and Eric while waiting for the soundcheck at the R.E.M. Lee Theatre. At 3:00 we met at the Fenger's house and I met Thereasa Marie, local Terrace celebrity, singer and winner of the Miss International Myan pageant and David Essig, master of the blues and slide guitar. Sound check was at 4:45. The R.E.M Lee Theatre has such sweet acoustics. After sound check there was just enough time to run back to Garys, change and pack the Van and make it back to the Theatre for the start of the show. The Tsunami benefit raised $1400. The show ran 4.25 hours which is very long, but it was packed with amazing bands like the Chug a Lugs and The Red Rumour band. Bernadette Saquibal was also there from Rupert and had a wonderful performance. The moonlight drive back to Rupert after the show was spectacular.

The Kiva

I am off to Terrace tonight to play a 'double lineup' with Masala at 'The Kiva'. It should be a good night. I hope the attendance is up...I also play Sunday night at the R.E.M. Lee Theatre for a Tsunami Benefit Concert. There has been huge promotion for the Benefit Event. I hope it has not confused fans and overshadowed tonight's show. Sometimes it's hard to play two out-of-town events in one weekend in the same town. For Sunday nights show I will be sharing the stage with David Essig, Theresa Marie and local Prince Rupertite Bernadette Saquibal. Should be a good show.

Sall

Vancouver Trip Followup

Well the open mic night was good. As a baromter for Vancouverites accepting my music I would say it definitely was leaning towards positive. I signed up at the open mic at 9:00pm and was the 4th person to play. The crowd reaction was great! I heard some very talented musicians that night from pianists to percussive guitar players. The people were incredibly friendly it was a pleasure to talk to the audience. I met some people from Kispiox! When I got home a day later I found out the CBC program North by Northwest played one of my songs on Saturday morning. Lots of good exposure lately! On a more personal note my life feels suspended above reality. I am in the process of moving between two houses. I am selling most of my belonging so I can easily pick up and move in the Fall. I promise to write more in the near future. Night' All

Sall

Embarrassed In Vancouver

Well I am sitting in a neat little coffeehouse down on Grandville Island in Vancouver. I left my hotel this morning around 11:00am and started walking towards Grandville Street to catch the bus. I was a little embarrassed when the busdriver told me I was on the wrong side of the street!. Pride refound and on the right bus, I was on my way to find Long and McQuade to search for a new guitar. I played some amazing instruments today. My favorite was a $3000 Fat Body Gibson. I think I might have to buy that guitar! (when I make it big!) Another embarrassing moment I had today was when the ever so nice Technician took time out of his busy schedule to look at my guitar and to tell me what the best pickup for it would be(normally you book 2 weeks ahead). I was complaining that my intonation was off and that it buzzed like crazy. He told me that some of the problem is that my bridge was put in backwards! That is how I purchased it! He thinks that someone put it in backwards while changing the strings in the store I bought it from! Any way I am having a good day (embarrassment aside). I have about 4 hours to kill before the sign up at the Backstage Lounge. This will be my first time playing in Vancouver. It will be interesting to see the crowd reaction.

CBC Coast to Coast

Yesterday I had a my song 'Advice to a Friend' played on CBC's The Roundup! That's coast to coast! My website has been getting hits like crazy today! Steve just called and said that Frances just heard another one of my songs played on the radio this morning on the way to the skihill. I don't know what show it was on. I feel a little giddy! This is so much fun!