Whatever Happened To....?

Did you ever wonder whatever happened to those people who used to be part of your life? They were once there, connected to us, and then, through circumstances, they disappeared, vanished. It happens, life happens. But once in awhile, there are some of those connections that magically reconnect. I had this experience recently. In university, I had a bestest girlfriend. We were like 2 peas in the proverbial pod. If we were at an event, and KC and the Sunshine Band played, we would arrive from wherever we were in the room, and dance our silly heads off. Through FB, we recently reconnected. We even talked on the phone, and it was one of those moments....30 years vanished and we instantly reconnected. ...and it was cool. * thanks to my BFF for prodding me to post*

Politically Speaking

This year it is time for me to get back into local politics. I took a wee break from it when I left Barrie, but I missed it. Currently, the whole prorogation issue has me heated up. Heating me up is what got me involved the last time, and it worked again this time.

The local group has openings on their exec, so I may get involved there, and, as always, they need volunteers...because you just never know when an election might be called.

I know, I know.....it's not polite to talk politics, even though the dinner party crowd certainly engages in such discussion, and I am not going to discuss politics. The important thing is that it is a healthy project to get involved in, and one can learn so much that they didn't already know.

So here's to me for re-acquainting myself with politics in this neck of the woods.....and I may even post about it.....

My addendum rant - if you elect a government, you should expect them to be at work for you....not taking a leave for 60+ days (and this is not the first leave they have had, not counting their extended Christmas break) so that they can hide away from important issues. Remember, nothing gets done in Parliament during that time. Think about that the next time you vote.
*end of rant*

The End of the Year

Rather than blog the typical happy yah yah Happy New Year post, I decided to blog on the last day of the current year....heck I made it to the end of the year in one piece, and that in itself is an accomplishment....so this post is a kind of summary of sorts.

What a year. I could insert profane expletives here, but I won't. It wouldn't serve any purpose anyway. ...but man it sure feels good to say fcuk every once in awhile.

Let's see.....the biggest part of 2009 was that I became a single, separate entity....well sort of.. I still have BJ....who is in his 18th year. Being single didn't really sink in until I was out and on my own for the first time in my life. A lot changed with that status change, let me tell you, but I think that I also grew in many ways. I am finding me again, and that is important. She was always there, but kind of became molded into someone else. Why this happened I don't know, but I can tell you that whoever I meet will have to accept me the way that I am. That will be non-negotiable....and God help him because I can be a handful...but then I don't know too many people who aren't.

My BJ boy is a totally different cat. He no longer hides in the basement or in the ceiling. He is always around me, like glue to paper, or the proverbial shit to a blanket. He greets people at the door. I don't have a doorbell, and I won't be getting one anytime soon, so he is no longer afraid of that, in fact, when friends come over, he doesn't even get out of the chair....instead he sits up and looks for rubs.

.....and my mind is having trouble concentrating right now for me to concisely write about everything, so I'll jot down my Coles notes version of the most memorable personal things for me....

* Buying my old house
* My very special girlfriends
* The annual Cousin's reunion...the C.R.O.C.S.
* My cousin's visit in the summer...sweet
* Spending Christmas with my cousin and his family....low key, under the top, but oh so special
* my special work buddy who helped me when I moved in
* Going to Mexico with my friend
* Getting My beautiful tattoo
* Having my ears pierced
* The Busholme Inn....my salvation place...my sanity rescue
* Playing the drums
* Getting my own drum kit
* Playing guitar again
* Playing percussion whenever I can
* Meeting men
* Dumping men
* making new friends....always

So here's to new adventures and experiences in the new year. Who knows what it will bring, but if I have any say in the direction, it will be positive, and full, and fun.....and oh so worth it.

Cheers!

Chasing The Olympic Torch

Nothing I do is simple. This is just a fact, which includes my not-so-simple chance to see The Olympic Torch, which was going to be in G'town today. Here is my story.

The hype had been building in this little town, hype around the arrival of The Olympic Torch. It was supposed to be here around 7AM, and within walking distance of where I live, so I planned to basically dash out of bed with camera in hand. It was great to see that others also stumbled out of their beds so early on a Saturday morning. It was minus 12 outside, and keeping the body moving was the order of the day. I found a couple of good spots on what was thought to be 'the route', set up my camera, and then started to have problems, first with the batteries (and I had no charged ones with me either doh!) then my camera froze. I tried everything I could to get the thing to warm up and behave, but nothing was working, so I headed home.

Once home, I found some new batteries, and let the camera warm up a bit. Everything was operating so I headed out...again. By the time I arrived at the corner, I could see the Olympic vehicles passing by....and everybody was leaving. I had heard that The Torch made its way to the downtown area, then they packed it in to head to Acton....no relay between G'town and Acton (I didn't think that they did, but a friend was adamant that it was a continuous relay all across Canada).

I was now sad that I missed my opportunity, but this sad moment didn't last for long. I headed back home and jumped in the truck and drove to Acton........about a 10 minute drive away. Once I got far enough along, I could see the Olympic vehicles ahead....and then just as quickly, I saw the police barring any other vehicles from entering. I was locked out with no way into the town.

......so I headed back home once again...or so I thought.

I recalled that The Torch was going to be in Milton after Acton...so off I went. At this point Milton would be about 20 TO 30 minutes away, I had no idea where anything would be but I guessed that the action would likely be somewhere in the downtown core.

BINGO! I hit pay day!

There was a large gathered crowd. I saw the person who was going to take The Torch for the next scheduled leg...and finally I saw The Torch itself, along with the sponsor vehicles providing crowd hype. Just a great feeling to be among others who braved the cold to feel the spirit....screaming, yelling, dancing, jumping...all active and united to see The Torch and keep this alive.

Peace.....

Tatt-a-Tatt-Tatt

Today is the day that I got my first tattoo ...and I have 2 words............LUV IT!!!

For as long as I can remember, I was curious about tattoos. My parents used to take me to Belmont Park, an old amusement park in Montreal, and I remember seeing the tattooed man, actually I stared intently at the patterns that flowed across his body.I wondered how the patterns got there.

When I grew up, I was still always attracted to the various tattoos that people had etched on their bodies. Art...yes it is actually considered art. You know the ones....the guys with the snake on their arm, or entwined hearts, or mom or whatever. Now the tatts tend to be full blown and colorful...quite stunning.

I never seriously considered having a real tattoo, until this year, and especially after I received my henna tattoo in Mexico. I really liked the idea of having a piece of personal expression on my body.

In the summer, I had visited the recommended establishment to check out the facilities for piercings and tattoos. At that time I wanted my ears pierced over and above the tattoo, but I knew the tattoo was waiting in the wings. In the end I had my ears pierced at another shop, partly because of convenience and also because I had a friend who supported me. I have not regretted the ear piercing...absolutely one of the best things that I have ever done for myself.

When I recently went to Mexico, as a whim, I got a henna tattoo on my ankle. It was a simple bird and flower tattoo, and was guaranteed to last 2 weeks. I liked it so much that I wanted to have it as a permanent reminder of my trip. So, I had it designed with a twist...the bird has a flower in its beak along with a drumstick. See pic....oh and there is still a hint of the henna which will eventually fade.

2 Months Later and 7 Months In

It's about time.....about time I updated this old blog of mine. Contrary to what some people might think, I did not fall off the face of the earth and disappear. I think some would wish that I did, but alas I am still here. The last time I posted was around October 10th. Things were settling down a bit by then. I had some necessary things done to my house to make it liveable. My drum lessons were in full swing. I had my ears pierced. All good things.

It is now 7 months since I moved to G'town. Work has been both busy and steady. But, for me, things are. In my soul, I still feel disconnected and with no sense of purpose. My past is still a huge part of who I am, and for the most part I merely survive. Now, to other people, they see a huge change in me, and they say for the better. I guess I have to look outside my own box and continue on. Part of that continuum is drumming, where I am the house drummer for the Sunday afternoon jams in Erin. I also jam at other places, but those stints are much shorter, but it's all about enjoyment, and I enjoy being a chick drummer.

Recently, I took a trip to Mexico. That was my second time there, mostly because I love Mexico, and the first visit there left me with permanent and special memories. This trip was my summer vacation. I had not been away all summer. I booked the trip in July and did not know how I would be able to wait 4 months until it was time to actually go. Before I knew it, I was wrapped up in a daily countdown that had my system whirling with excitement....

Short trip synopsis ...Playa del Carmen shopping excursion with handsome Mexican men serving free nachos....swimming with the Dolphins and experiencing my first dorsal tow...and a Catamaran trip to absolutely die for....henna tattoo on my ankle for $5 US....salsa dancing at the pool....nightly shows that were A+.

So, what's in store for me now? Well, first off, I try not to plan too much into the future, because I am still trying to deal with the past and present. What I do know is that I will be spending Christmas day with family. I will be getting a tattoo on Saturday. I am going to a radio party in a week. I'll be jamming on Sunday.

The rest will just happen as it is supposed to.

Ola!

Melancholic Day

When I moved to this town four and a half months ago, one of the draws, and one that would form one of my obsessive routines, was the Farmer's Market. It started about two weeks after I had moved, and even though I was far from settled, I wanted to go. I had this planned, and I live so close by that I can walk to the market, so I manned my knapsack and my iPod and off I went. I can remember feeling warm as I reached the top of the hill and looked down into the town...a town which has retained much of the old charm.

For the first week, the crops were perhaps still not ready, and the presence of vendors was sparse, but the weeks that followed brought more vendors to the street.

....the fresh baked breads, croissants and danishes
........farm fresh fruit and vegetables
............fresh brewed coffee, where I would sit and take in the sights and sounds of a Saturday morning.

....and the odd craft and jewellery vendor....

Today is the last day for the Market, and I am left feeling sad. Some of the vendors recognize their regular patrons, and some of those will operate out of other areas during the winter. They volunteered their information and I may visit. As I left the Market, I stood at the top of the hill and looked back. My routine now must change. My Saturday morning jaunt is curtailed.

Somehow, though, I think I will find something to fill that space until the Market returns next year.

Peace.

Scratch my Head

This world of ours can be a funny place...and the other day I watched something that entertained me while I was at the checkout counter.

First a little background.

When I was young, I can remember having paper bags as shopping bags. I would get penny candy in wee paper bags and my Mother would have her groceries placed in large paper sacks. How we arrived at the world of unlimited plastic I'll never know, but thankfully we have finally woken up and are doing something about using less of it.

So, now we reduce and reuse and charge people for the use of a plastic bag, which is all good, so people now bring their own bins or bags or whatever.

...except for one lady...

While at said checkout counter waiting for the lady in front of me to finish, I noticed that things were taking somewhat longer than normal. I also noticed a lot more activity than usual. Then I noticed why. The lady did not bring any bags or bins, so she had to unload each item from her cart to the checkout counter (and there were many items!), then she had to load each item back into her cart.

Now you also have to figure that she had to load each item back into her car and then get each item into her house (unless she had the bins in the car and was too lazy to go out and get them). Whatever it was, it was certainly entertaining.

I have an intolerant remark that I refuse to make here, but rest assured that it is in my head.....and it has something to do with hair color...

Have a good weekend y'all...

Audition

In my last post I made reference to an audition that the gym was holding in order to search for cycling instructors. They are actually looking for Pump, Step and Flow instructors as well. I found this out later. So, I had a preconceived idea that I would try for the Pump and Spin sets.

A little background. I have been down this road before. A few years ago, I had wanted to teach, and somehow I volunteered to learn to teach Step. I took the required courses and then was scheduled to shadow teach....then things all fell apart for me. Work became horrendously busy for me. Things were not going well and I felt too much pressure to continue. I threw that opportunity away, walked away, and chalked it up to experience.

This time it is a little different. It is not so much voluntary. Going to the audition is voluntary, but after that only accepted individuals will be selected.

When I arrived there last night, I was handed many sheets of paper, and had to fill out numerous forms, and then I was advised to pick one discipline, because we could only try out for one area....not both Pump and Spin. I had to really think about this one, because I love both of those disciplines (among others). So, I picked Pump because it is truly my passion.

The room was packed...about 40 people arrived to try out. I was probably the oldest but was certainly one of the more fit people there. We all had to do a Flow class and a Pump class. Then we had a choice to do either the Spin or the Step class. I did Spin. During these mini classes, scouts were evaluating the participants, with particular focus on the individuals who selected their discipline of choice. Photos were being taken, and attention to technique and form were high on the agenda.

Now, there was something strange that certainly stood out. When I go to the gym, I always bring my gym shoes, be that my trainers or my cycling shoes. Last night I brought both. But there were actually people who arrived in flip flops thinking that they would only be doing the Flow class (which requires bare feet). Boy were they surprised to find out that they had to do Pump and one one of the other 2 classes...and they had to do them in either their flip flops or bare feet....gross!

Good thing I was a Girl Guide...always be prepared.

I'll let you know the results of the audition. As I said earlier, it was never about getting picked or not...it was about going...and I already succeeded.

Re-Connecting

Well, it has been awhile since this poor blog has been updated. Things have been busy here, or rather, I have been busy. I'll spare you the details, but just know that things are keeping me hopping....mostly fun.....

The house and I are now one and at peace. Little things pop up, but nothing that has me running into the street screaming for assistance.

The basement is still in the process of being demolished. When I need to get rid of some stress, I go downstairs and take it out on the walls. The demolishing has a two-fold reason behind it. #1 - Prior owners didn't finish it properly, and I simply want to open up the space and get the air flowing through. #2 - BJ picked up the bright idea to claw through the vapour barrier plastic which covers the insulation, and has decided that this makes a great bed. NOT! So I have been hunting out his immediate spots and ripping off plastic, digging out fiberglass, and tearing down walls....worker chick.

The truck is going to get tricked up. I have always wanted to bling it up a bit, and now is the time to plan for that and get something done. When it's done I'll post a few shots of the new look.

The gym is looking for cycling instructors, and is holding an open audition where scouts will be picking potential candidates. I am planning on attending the audition. If I get picked, great, If I don't get picked, that's okay too. The key thing for me right now is to go to the audition. Wish me luck.

Drum Therapy for the Soul

Snare....Accent...Cymbal...Toms...Splash...Ride...Crash...Highhats

These are some new and exciting words in my vocabulary.

In my construction of a (ahem) new life, I have uncovered many things that even I did not know were there...and, obviously, other people didn't know they existed either...playing percussion...backup singing....and now drumming. The drumming just sort of happened....I think. I had intended to pick up guitar lessons again, but for some reason, I couldn't get my head around that...not yet anyway.

But first, a little background.

My childhood saw me as a typical little girl, but shy...horribly shy. I only spoke when spoken to, and even then it was minimal conversation. In that world of shyness, I took refuge in the world of toys, and though I really enjoyed Barbie dolls, I really wanted to play with some of the boy's toys ...like toy forts and garages.

I also wanted to play with drums.

When I moved to The Cottage, I saw an ad for Drum Lessons in the local paper. I was curious. This was my opportunity. My kick at the can. So, I called and we agreed on a time for an intro lesson. As the day grew closer, I became more and more excited.....and a bit nervous, as you can well imagine.

The house where the lessons take place is an old mansion turned into apartments. There are 3 levels to the home. The drummer and his family live on the top floor, while the bottom floor is rented out (I know this, because I was welcomed by one of the tenants (in his bathrobe) who advised me to try upstairs for the music guy (eeeek). So off I went to try and find Drummer Bob.

At the very top of the house is the attic...which is also where the magic happens. Here, there are vintage drums and drum kits, some of which were purchased at yard sales. The teaching area is set up with one set for the teacher (a $10,000 set of beauties) and the student set (beat up, toned down, but still quite appropriate for learning). The walls and slanted ceiling are covered with LPs, pictures, posters, and other memorabilia from Drummer Bob's career (he has travelled extensively and has played with David Usher and Honeymoon Suite).

After an introduction to the teacher, the instrument and technique, I sat for the very first time behind a drum kit....right foot settled firmly on the bass, left foot settled on the Highhats.....and 2 very nervous hands gripping the sticks.

Then it all came together.....repetitious and rhythmic whacking, hitting, slamming, all with the intent of uncovering which limbs provide the most power....and then to have each limb work independently, and vary that power (think it's easy? Try it...).

What also resulted was a tremendous feeling of release....release of all those bad feelings, stress, everything. It all came whooshing out of me and placed itself onto the snare skin. I was rejuvenated. I felt liberated.

I felt at peace in this new-found toy.

Peace.....

*drum icon courtesy of CafePress*

Overruled

...this post was overruled that is.

I was going to write about my Introductory Drum Lesson, but another, more pressing, topic, required addressing.

My Cleo is reincarnated and appearing at my patio door. Not quite.

Some of you remember Cleo. She was the smartest, most attentive little Tortie. She was my most favoured kitty of all the kitties that we had (well, okay, BJ has maybe now taken first place as my Numero Uno, just because he has been there for me through everything). Cleo went to kitty heaven when she was 17 years old, but she had a grand life, I think. She was spoiled, as was I, but gave back in so many ways. She would greet us at the door when we would return home from work. She was a talker, and could respond to words spoken to her. She was a huge cuddle monster, and would let me snuggle my arms around her at night. To this day, I still miss her very much.

Back to the present. *sigh*

Yesterday, I was fiddling with things around The Cottage. When I went to the back of the house, where my bedroom is located, I spotted a Cleo look-alike. She was a Tortie, of course, and had the same coloring as Cleo. She was a smaller, younger version, but her eyes had that same quality that Cleo had......curiosity and inquisitiveness, darting from location to location, trying not to miss anything.

She was sitting quietly at the patio door. She was peering inside, tying to see what she could see, and looking like she might want to come inside for a visit (which would NOT have been a good thing, seeing as BJ is the resident cottage kitty). When I went for my camera, she took off in search of flies, so I couldn't get a snap of her.

....but just wait until next time...and I think there will be a next time.

................Sweetie

Horoscope

New discoveries will provide excitement for you. This day will be a stimulating one that will hold many pleasant surprises and outcomes. If you are not flexible, this could be nerve-wracking. Teaching, lecturing, performing, selling, demonstrating--any activity that puts you in front of the public in positive ways are where you can be found this afternoon. Your wisdom and the way you portray your ideas to others will help guide people at times when you may not know. Time is on your side this evening . . . whatever you involve yourself with now will be successful. Perhaps after such a busy day, you will enjoy some form of relaxation. Certainly, any strain in a love relationship will benefit from your relaxed undivided attention.

This is my horoscope for today. For all of the non-believers and non-subscribers....pfeh! You can stop reading right now. :)

Lately, my daily horoscopes have been pretty dead-on. For me, this particular horoscope was just screaming for a post today, because it is just so, so, accurate with regard to the performing aspect.....at least my interpretation of it anyway.

Tonight I will have my first drum lesson on a full drum kit. This has been a secret passion for me, which only a few people know about........and now you guys.

When I listen to music, I usually use my hands in some sort of drum banging motion...tapping on the table or whatever. When I do the percussion thing, I usually incorporate some form of tapping with the Cabasa.

And so it got me to thinking.....

Then, one day, there was an ad in the local paper for Drum Lessons, so I called to inquire. This is purely experimental at this point, but I am going to give it a whirl.

..............and we'll see where it leads.

..........................and, as usual, look out!

New Life

Quite a few people have been choosing this term lately when referring to my circumstance....."adjusting to my new life". When I actually sit down and reflect on what the words mean, it is ironic. I mean, we only have one life. We are born into this world once. We don't get a second life or a new life. We have the same old life that we had, only different. That said, we may get a second chance at making a different life, whether we like it or not.

I prefer to say making a different life for myself. The key to that phrase is "for myself". For the past 6 weeks, and actually for the 5 months prior to that, I have been carving a new path in my life journey, because, after all, it is a journey.....my journey....an unshared journey with unique experiences. Each day presents something new to challenge me, be it small or large, and somehow I'm not doing to badly.

I have earned a few things about myself that I never knew before.

• I can live alone (well okay, with BJ...because he is the bestest company), and not be lonely.


• In all likelihood, I will not marry again.


• I don't have to eat dinner if I don't want to...and I usually don't.


• I enjoy mowing the lawn....but most of my male neighbours seem to want to help me for some reason....must be the construction boots with the shorts.


• I appreciate how my next door neighbour looks out for me like he's my brother....at least that's how I refer to him....


• I like how my furniture doesn't really match...but it doesn't have to...just sayin'.


• I am pretty good at assembling things...even though I may curse at the inevitable hiccups.


• I love destroying things....even though I may, again, curse at the inevitable hiccups.


• Power tools still scare me, but less so....now they empower me somewhat....and nothing has fallen down yet either.


• The men in the hardware store no longer look for the man of the house to talk to. Now they have to deal with me and my string of inevitable questions. Poor them.


• I get to work out at 3 different gyms, and I have tripled the number of people that I have met by doing so...and, yes, they are learning to experience Mau.


• I love accompanying the band every week. That has been, and continues to be my escape pod.....and now I even have my own bag of instruments....so look out.


• I love my backyard space, with the Bluejays, Cardinals, Chickadees, Hummingbirds, Chipmunks, and Squirrels. I even know where the vegetable garden will go....eventually.


• Backyard campfires are nice at night...especially the past few chilly evenings.


• I like Tiki torches in my garden..Tiki torches are cool....the tribe has spoken.

I am thankful for this once in a lifetime opportunity, and I am grasping it with both arms extended.

A Freebie a Week

There is an antique shop closeby, which I visit regularly. The shop is quaint, and packed with all kinds of treasures, well, treasures to me....they may not be treasures to someone else. Since my house is old, I have found a few things that fit in well here. Today I picked up an antique mirror, which has a cubby for keys.... for an insanely low price. I also have the most perfect spot for it too. As I was leaving, I spotted a sterling necklace chain, one which has the most unique linking that I have ever seen....again for an insanely low price.

But, even though I manage to find something to buy, the highlight of the day is always the freebie part. One day, I was given a sterling silver heart that had an opal in it. Another day I was handed an antique money bank. Today, it was a Victorian sterling locket look-alike.

A freebie a week keeps the antique geek happy and meek.

:)

Stunned Silence

When I left the gym this evening, I glanced up at the televisions which were displaying some shocking news... ..that Michael Jackson was dead. Now, I am sitting here in stunned silence, watching the assorted coverage of his life.

Love him or hate him, he was one of the world's top performers. Remember the MoonWalk, and that silver glove, and Thriller.

I will mostly recall him as the adorable little guy with the Jackson 5. He was one of the five brothers who went on to be something huge.

Yes, he had a sordid past which overshadowed everything else that was possibly positive. Yes, he was a child molestor. Yes, he was a little strange. But he was also incredibly generous, probably almost to a fault. Remember Neverland.

He will now join Farrah Fawcett, who also left this earth today. Though her passing was expected, the beloved Charlie's Angel is now at peace.

Two great people gone in one day. Life is short and oh so fragile.

Scratcher

I may have coined a new term here. A new term for me that is.

One of my favourite hobbies is making my own cards from scratch. I use scrapbooking materials, but I also like to use other things as well, hence the scratch term. Now, in most circles, and Sue is the most knowledgeable about this, the term Scrapbooking is used, and the people who practice it are known as Scrapbookers or Scrappers. These folks also work their creative magic and turn precious mementos into scrapbooks.

I don't enjoy doing this as much as making cards.

So, I guess that makes me either a Scrapcarder or a Scratcher.

....but feel free to coin a proper term for what I do....

Bits and Bites

I acquired My Sweetie's tools....many of them....most of which I haven't a clue what to do with. I do know that some of them weigh a ton. and may need a small forklift in order to move them around...kidding! Now I am okay with some tools, usually the manual kind, but the electric rechargeable scares me a bit (did you get the word pun there?!?).

The first part of this fear dealt with the fact that the drill only had one drill bit. Of course, the screws that I had needed different bits. Unable to find the rest of them, I bought a neat set of 'things'....since there is no instruction manual (and I am really into instruction manuals, since that is what I create for a living) I was at a loss as to what these pieces all do. The guy in the store rattled off the purpose of each (he is smaaaaart...like most men when it comes to tools and such), but once I arrived home, I sat on the couch and stared at the box...unable to even open it.

So, I did my evening routine, and after dinner, I started to tinker with the drill and the 'bits'. Not so bad. This goes here. That goes there. This attaches to that. Simple right? Well, yes, pretty much. I have a piece of wood that is now my test piece, and I am not doing too badly.

So I have a couple of projects which will require me to use The Drill. No sweat ;)

p.s. - I also plan to visit Home D when they have their courses For Ladies Only....

A Voice from a Window

First of all, I want to thank those who have returned to visit my blog. It is nice to see followers once again, and to follow on a regular basis.

In a past post, I talked a bit about where I now live. The area has a mish-mush of residents. Some are single (actually a LOT are single), but there are also quite a few families (I know this because the school bus route passes by my window, and I get to see the little buttons meeting up with their Mommies).

There are also a few century homes here. At first, I thought that these homes were inhabited by a single family. I later learned that these places have been converted into multiple apartments. One of these buildings is across the street from me, containing four apartments. All of the residents are quiet, in fact. I have only seen one of them.

Until today....when I heard a voice from one of the upper windows.

The building is for sale, and the owner is usually there to try and fix one thing or another. While he was there today, I looked out and saw him looking up and talking to one of the upper windows. The voice was asking for something cold to drink ?!? Now, I have been here almost a month, and have never seen anyone there.

Maybe vampires?!?

New Hobbies

A few months ago, I began meeting up with one of my cousins at an establishment which featured a Blues Jam. What is a Blues Jam you may ask. Well, it is an afternoon of, mostly, blues music, with the stage featuring a core group of talented musicians. In addition, anyone can get up and join in, either in a vocal capacity or with any instrument they play. On any Sunday there might be sax players, trumpet players, slide guitars, and the list goes on. Lately, there have been two very talented young guitarists - one who is 16 and plays like the next Stevie Ray, and the other who is classically trained, but can play anything. Both of these fellows always command the attention of the audience. We also have a keyboard player who used to play with the band Max Webster.

Now, for the longest time, I would just be a part of the audience. I would order a light lunch and become immersed in the music, escaping the world for a few hours. It was also a fine opportunity to bond with my cousin. Then one day I was asked if I could sing backup on a song or two. Now, I can sing. I sang in the Sears choir for 5 years. I sing in the shower and in the car, but have never sung into a microphone...in front of people....until this one day. But, when I finally did this, I had a blast. I even had a few people come up to me later saying 'I didn't know that you could sing'. I was thrilled. After that, I continually kept coming out to the Blues Jam, and would pick up the odd percussion instrument...tambourine, shakers, maracas, whatever was handy.

Today, the jam was at one of the band members homes in the country, with the stage set up on his deck. What a perfect day. I was onstage for the entire afternoon. I played various percussion instruments. I sang backup a few times. But, the greatest part of this is that I learned that I am going to have a dedicated mike for me!!!

woohoo!!!~

Stay tuned.....