Let's Get the Band Back Together Dude...

So, I found a flyer in the mail from the Sony Store down the street - for some reason, they're calling themselves "Sony Style" in some odd, almost unreadable font... whatever.

They're holding a Rock Band "event" in their store where ... "you can challenge our in-store staff for prizes".

It's a total scam to get you into the store ... I know ... but I'm in hook, line 'n sinker.

I'm trying to convince Catherine to get into it. We've had her brother and wife over a few times and gotten quite good - most of us play at the "Hard" level. I'm sure my brother-in-law would be all over this, but it's our respective spouses, who I don't think would be quite into it...

Ahhhh ... what to do?

Starting a New Project

Dunno what happened yesterday, but all the kids slept in! I got up about 7:20 ... by myself for once ... and Sammie got up. Then I had to wake the two boys who were sawing logs at 7:50...

This morning was a different story. All three little feet were active at 6:45. Sheesh!

Cool tidbit from this morning. Was listening to KEXP via the 'net - it was around 7:00 AM, so 4:00 in Seattle and the DJ put on "Mimi on the Beach" by Jane Siberry! Like holy ___, I hadn't heard that song in like eons! I emailed him sending some kudos for not only playing some Canadian content, but something from way out in left field from the I'd-forgotten-about-that archives. He emailed back and said he'd been on a Sibbery kick for the past couple of weeks and actually acknowledge my email on air a few minutes later... heh.

Anyway, starting a little project for my pal in Seattle - Travis. He and I have been collaborating on his films for almost 3 years now. He and I seem to have this awesome rapport.

Lately, he's been doing a lot of commercial shoots which are definitely different from film, but also regular and come with budgets!

This time, he's working on some "super secret" project with a Hollywood screenwriter and has asked me to score a short 1.5 minute clip that I gather is going to be the calling card for the screenplay / film. Can't get into any details about it, but he's given me carte blanche ... a blank page. He's essentially given me complete control on sound / kind of music, where it goes, what have you... He TRUSTS me with it all ... silly boy!

Well, Crap! Where to start? It's not from lack of ideas or anything, it's the process of self-imposing boundaries and getting down to work.

I think I've got a good idea of the sound and spotting for the scene - which is a good start... now to see what comes out of the muse this morning...

The "Hump" Week

Well, here I go, almost at the top of the hill... Catherine just left for Vancouver and we're starting week 5 of 10 without Mom.

I'm sick again. The cold conveniently started on Friday evening and thru Mother's Day to today... I guess I can't really be surprised as I've been sort of burning the candle at both ends and being a little too optimistic about the temperature outside. hmmm... Regardless, just a bit stuffed up and tired.

Man! What a weekend - little Alex is a bike-riding monster! Saturday afternoon, I took off his training wheels (with some protest), ran up behind him halfway up and down the block ... TWICE ... and then he was on his own! Starting and stopping by himself!!! It's like he's been riding for months!

Now Chris is much more interested in riding his bike... hmmm... ;)

Embarrassment...

Okay, so the kid in the picture really has nothing to do with this post, but I thought it was funny...

Right now, I'm listening to Daft Punk's Human After All album ("Robot Rock" just came up) and reflecting on the week while the kids play a bit before bedtime...

I dunno whether or not I should be concerned about a conversation I had with our 8 year old this week.

I've noticed the past couple of weeks, when I've dropped him off at school, he hasn't really been as affectionate as he usually is when he's off to school. I usually walk him into the yard and then give him a hug and kiss goodbye. This past week, he's been reluctantly giving me at least a hug and doing this nervous giggle when I give him a kiss.

I asked him what was up at bedtime a couple nights ago.

"I'm a bit embarrassed to give you a kiss in front of my friends."

....

I hope I didn't let on that my heart hit the floor with a gigantic thud right then and there.

We chatted a bit about it and decided that we'll do quick, stealth kisses instead. As I left his room after a bit of a snuggle, I couldn't help but keep on thinking about the incident:

When was it that I started being "embarrassed" to give my parents a kiss?

Was I older or younger than he?

How'd my parents react to that news?

I know he's a very affectionate kid and also quite confident around his peers, but I guess we're coming to the age where standing out from the rest of the crowd starts to become taboo. I remember those kinds of feelings and dilemmas: "What will everyone else think???"

You lead two different lives - one with your family and another in front of your friends... at least for a while through the pubescent years and then something happens...

You feel comfortable being unique again.

Rediscovering Music from My Past

On the way home, I decided to click on some tunes from my iPod that I hadn't spun in quite a while ... the Shuffle Demons!

Man, I haven't heard these guys for a while (that's the fun of filling up a 60Gb drive with music ... so many choices). I remember being in sweaty little dives in London Ontario watching these guys. It's a hoot what they can do with three saxes, a bass and kit.

Classic lyrics:

Spadina Bus (Spadina Bus)
Spadina Bus (Spadina Bus)
Spadina Bus (Spadina Bus)
Spadina Bus (Spadina Bus)

I say get on the bus (get on the bus)
Yeah, right on the bus (right on the bus)
Right on the bus (right on the bus)
The Spadina bus (the Spadina bus)

Ain't no school bus (ain't no school bus)
Ain't no streetcar (ain't no streetcar)
Ain't no subway car (ain't no subway car)
The Spadina bus (the Spadina bus)

I want confirmation on my information about my transportation from Spadina station
(We want confirmation on this information on the transportation from Spadina station)
Gimme confirmation on my information about my transportation from Spadina station
(We want confirmation on this information on the transportation from Spadina station)

Well, I start to cuss on the Wellesley bus
And you can't go far on the College Street car
You know the Yonge Street train is a real pain
And the LRT—for that's not for me
Well, you can't have fun on the York U. run
And the Ossington trolley is just a big folly
Well, I don't give a damn ‘bout the Bathurst tram
So I'll make a fuss about Spadina Bus

‘Cos on 77B (77B)
On the TTC (TTC)
Yeah, 77B (77B)
On the TTC (TTC)
Well, 77A (77A)
I guess it'll be OK (that's OK)
But I want 77B (77B)
On the T-T-T-TTC (T-T-T-TTC)

Hey, check it out

I went down to the station
I didn't scream or fuss
I didn't have lots of patience
Waiting for that bus
Dug deep down in my pockets
To try and find some coin
But much to my chagrin
All I found was my groin

Hey!

(Sp-Sp-Sp-Sp-Sp-Sp-Sp-Sp-Spadina Bus) The Spadina Bus
(Sp-Sp-Sp-Sp-Sp-Sp-Sp-Sp-Spadina Bus) It's raising quite a fuss
(Sp-Sp-Sp-Sp-Sp-Sp-Sp-Sp-Spadina Bus) Just wanna get on the bus
Sp-Sp-Sp-Sp-Sp-Sp-Sp-Sp-Spadina Bus