Before I get to the show itself, a little side note. I think I just found Vancouver’s answer to Toronto’s Horseshoe Tavern. This might not seem like too big of a deal to most, but as a live music fan who grew up in Toronto, the Horseshoe Tavern has had some pretty major people play (at all points in their careers) since it first opened its doors in 1947 according to their Website. It is known as a great venue for great music. Full stop. Since moving to Vancouver in 2002, I had thought the Commodore Ballroom was the ‘shoe’s Vancouver counterpart. It seemed logical except the Commodore has a second level, a big open dance floor, padded booth seating off two sides of the massive dance floor, and a capacity of upwards of 1000 people. In short, it is nothing like the ‘shoe. Enter the Biltmore Cabaret.
Located near 12th and Kingsway, but on the ass end of the HoJo. Smallish stage – more like a shoebox with the front panel removed. Check. Capacity: a few hundred. Check. The band so close you could be the designated towel supply person. Check. Intimate atmosphere and a great sound system. Check and check. Hello Biltmore, glad to have made your acquaintance.
If my Google Map had not led me astray (in all fairness, I might have misread), I would have caught more of the opening band, called Bahamas. By the time I arrived and had scoped out a spot from which I could actually see musicians from my formidable 5’2” (158 cm) height, there were maybe only 5 songs left. I don’t know where they were from but they weren’t local. Canucks were acknowledged, laundromats had apparently been visited and dude said Vancouver was their only Canadian date. The young woman’s vocals were set up so she sounded like a two-or-three-person backing vocals team. Dude singing and playing the guitar was decent enough, but call me cynical, I have a feeling he gets by quite a bit on his looks. Whatever. They were passable.
Noah & the Whale. Can I just begin by saying I had no idea how young they were? Or maybe I actually am old enough at this point to be their mother. Drummer boy for sure – he looked about 15. I hope he was legally allowed to be in a licensed establishment.
I read somewhere that their sound is described as “indie folk rock”, which might just be something to pigeon-hole them into. I don’t know about ‘Indie’, they are signed to Mercury Records, so the ‘indie’ label has more to do with the fact they don’t sound like 80% of the drivel that gets played on popular radio, so although the music is radio-friendly, it’s not consumed by the masses (poor masses). ‘Folk’ must come from the fact that they have a violin player and the main singer’s voice sounds even and effortless. Oh, and the first CD I have by them Peaceful the World lays me down has a woman’s voice harmonising quite a bit. ‘Rock’, for sure. Their sound was almost bigger than the Biltmore could hold (I really hope to see them in a slightly bigger venue next time, but also hope the atmosphere, that crucial intimacy, gets maintained).
Their fashion sense was rare: if not dress shirt, suit and tie (including waistcoat), then dress shirt and suit jacket. Their dry cleaning bill must be stupid, but they looked as well put together as their songs are. When they slow things down, they slow it waaaay down, and then right back up to bopping and rocking.
From Peaceful the World lays me down, the setlist included Give a little Love, Rocks and Daggers, 5 Years' time (shortly before the end) and I’m not sure about 2 Atoms in a Molecule and Peaceful the World lays me down – they’re both maybes.From the CD Last Night on Earth we heard Paradise Stars (this song started the show in darkness giving the band time to walk on and get sorted), Life is Life, L.I.F.E.G.O.E.S.O.N. (the very last song of the night), Tonight’s the Kind of Night, Wild Thing, Give it all back, Just me before we met, Waiting for my Chance to come, the Line, Old Joy (I think this may have been the first song of the two-song encore). And yes, for those of you keeping track, they did play the entire album they are touring in support of.
Alls in all, I had a great time. As is obvious, I am not a die-hard fan, familiar with every nuance of their performances, able to recite the names and lyrics of songs at will and knowledgeable of their names and marital statuses. Their stage presence is warm and sincere; their musicianship and performance solid. When the lights on stage went out completely for the better part of 10 seconds, they did not miss a beat. They did not let the audience wait more than 3 minutes before returning for an encore. They have fun on stage, but they do not mess about. Was my mind blown? No. Would I see them again? Absolutely. Did I listen to their music again the very next day? You betcha.
Thursday, June 2, 2011
Thursday, May 5, 2011
The ‘Fourth’ was definitely at the Vogue Theatre: Mother Mother with Brasstronaut ~ May 4, 2011
This was only my second show at the Vogue (the first was the mindblowingly awesome Mumford & Sons) and I hold it to be a fine venue. Plenty of room on the floor for dancing and general up-close-and-personal show enjoyment, and a large balcony with a steep rake so there really are no bad seats in the house. Patrons in the first row of the balcony are always reminded not to lean over the balcony itself (there is no railing and it obstructs the view of EVERYONE behind), nothing is to be placed on the edge (safety hazard), and no feet against the balcony (heavy lighting equipment supports are bolted to it).
I arrived by 1930 hrs and found a seat in second row of the centre right (looking from the back of the house towards the stage) section. The entire first row was reserved for friends and family of the band, the last of whom arrived by 2130 hrs.
The opening band was called Brasstronaut, their one brass instrument a trumpet (albeit two types). Trumpet player was also responsible for glockenspiel (which was played simultaneously with trumpet in various songs), cowbell and wood blocks; again some played simultaneously. Great coordination. Other instruments, played by other members of the band, included keyboard piano, bass, guitar, drums, and clarinet.
Their sound had a really smooth groove to it; you could tell that they had jazz in their musical backgrounds. This was most evident in songs that had ‘islands of instrumentation’ as I call it. Trumpet playing half notes or longer in long phrases providing the only semblance of melody whilst everyone else was ‘noodling’ around. No tune you could hum along with per se, but plenty of foot tapping and body movement by the audience. Main singer had a lovely and smooth voice; he was really chuffed that there was a full house to see them open. I don’t suppose he realised it was a General Admission show: if audience members wanted a good seat, they really had no choice but to see the opening band. Good thing they didn’t suck. They were really good musicians and if I had had any cash on me, I would have braved the immensely long queue at the merchandise booth. Sound-wise, on occasion they reminded me a lot of MuteMath. Overall – a nice opening band. I’d see them again – on purpose.
Mother Mother visually and image styling channel the ‘80s. Their logo alone is reminiscent of those bold patterns and hint of the indicative colour combinations. They look it to a not insubstantial degree, but they don’t sound like it (vintage stores must love them). Sometimes that 80s ‘pedigree’ comes through, but overall they sound undeniably fresh and fun. Most commonly they are referred to as ‘quirky’, but I think that comes from the fact that no one’s thought of just the right adjective to describe them and their music.
I tweeted last night that they PLAY – they play with words, with syllables, with vocalisations, with harmonies. And they play their instruments (2 keyboards, bass, guitar (acoustic/electric), and drums. Rather well, I might add. Rhythmically they can be all over the place and yet still be spot on. How do they do that? Vocally, two female singers and a male singer (higher than average voice, but not in ‘falsetto-land’, à la the current (annoying) trend subscribed to by Foster the People, MGMT, Awolnation, etc. It affords them the capability to split chords so tightly that it’s on the verge of dissonance and intentionally so. They have excellent pitch; with harmonies sounding like that, it’s crucial. Very clever. Very creative. Very, very good. And such a treat to see them live.
Good setlist (slow-slow-quick-quick-slow): O My Heart, Body of Years, Try to Change, Ghosting, Hayloft (nearly brought the house down), Wrecking Ball, The Stand (different from album version and segued in between Body of Years I think), Baby Don’t Dance, Born in a Flash, Simply Simple, Oleander, to name a few. There was interaction with the audience (the number of f-bombs was a bit surprising considering ‘all ages’ in Mother Mother’s case meant a lot of pre-teen children (I was sitting beside three of them), not just the ones just shy of the legal drinking age) and sincerely expressed gratitude, with a special shout-out to mothers everywhere. Two songs comprised the encore. Arms Tonite was one of them. Just shy of 2 hours of music I believe (I really should wear a watch and checking the mobile in a dark balcony is just obnoxious). I was home just past 2330 hrs (and asleep by 0005, I’d wager).
Aaahhh. What a fun night.
I arrived by 1930 hrs and found a seat in second row of the centre right (looking from the back of the house towards the stage) section. The entire first row was reserved for friends and family of the band, the last of whom arrived by 2130 hrs.
The opening band was called Brasstronaut, their one brass instrument a trumpet (albeit two types). Trumpet player was also responsible for glockenspiel (which was played simultaneously with trumpet in various songs), cowbell and wood blocks; again some played simultaneously. Great coordination. Other instruments, played by other members of the band, included keyboard piano, bass, guitar, drums, and clarinet.
Their sound had a really smooth groove to it; you could tell that they had jazz in their musical backgrounds. This was most evident in songs that had ‘islands of instrumentation’ as I call it. Trumpet playing half notes or longer in long phrases providing the only semblance of melody whilst everyone else was ‘noodling’ around. No tune you could hum along with per se, but plenty of foot tapping and body movement by the audience. Main singer had a lovely and smooth voice; he was really chuffed that there was a full house to see them open. I don’t suppose he realised it was a General Admission show: if audience members wanted a good seat, they really had no choice but to see the opening band. Good thing they didn’t suck. They were really good musicians and if I had had any cash on me, I would have braved the immensely long queue at the merchandise booth. Sound-wise, on occasion they reminded me a lot of MuteMath. Overall – a nice opening band. I’d see them again – on purpose.
Mother Mother visually and image styling channel the ‘80s. Their logo alone is reminiscent of those bold patterns and hint of the indicative colour combinations. They look it to a not insubstantial degree, but they don’t sound like it (vintage stores must love them). Sometimes that 80s ‘pedigree’ comes through, but overall they sound undeniably fresh and fun. Most commonly they are referred to as ‘quirky’, but I think that comes from the fact that no one’s thought of just the right adjective to describe them and their music.
I tweeted last night that they PLAY – they play with words, with syllables, with vocalisations, with harmonies. And they play their instruments (2 keyboards, bass, guitar (acoustic/electric), and drums. Rather well, I might add. Rhythmically they can be all over the place and yet still be spot on. How do they do that? Vocally, two female singers and a male singer (higher than average voice, but not in ‘falsetto-land’, à la the current (annoying) trend subscribed to by Foster the People, MGMT, Awolnation, etc. It affords them the capability to split chords so tightly that it’s on the verge of dissonance and intentionally so. They have excellent pitch; with harmonies sounding like that, it’s crucial. Very clever. Very creative. Very, very good. And such a treat to see them live.
Good setlist (slow-slow-quick-quick-slow): O My Heart, Body of Years, Try to Change, Ghosting, Hayloft (nearly brought the house down), Wrecking Ball, The Stand (different from album version and segued in between Body of Years I think), Baby Don’t Dance, Born in a Flash, Simply Simple, Oleander, to name a few. There was interaction with the audience (the number of f-bombs was a bit surprising considering ‘all ages’ in Mother Mother’s case meant a lot of pre-teen children (I was sitting beside three of them), not just the ones just shy of the legal drinking age) and sincerely expressed gratitude, with a special shout-out to mothers everywhere. Two songs comprised the encore. Arms Tonite was one of them. Just shy of 2 hours of music I believe (I really should wear a watch and checking the mobile in a dark balcony is just obnoxious). I was home just past 2330 hrs (and asleep by 0005, I’d wager).
Aaahhh. What a fun night.
Sunday, October 24, 2010
A weekend of Arts & Entertainment
I saw the Vancouver Playhouse’s production of The Fantasticks on Friday evening. We had really good seats, 8 rows from the front, slightly house left of centre. I had House managed Sheridan College’s version of it back around 1991, so although I was familiar with the music, I was a bit fuzzy on the storyline. All but one character is male and Theatre Sheridan didn’t have enough men eligible for leads, so the fathers were aunties, but it was really good. This was the first time I’d seen it done by professionals and I was reminded of what my EYCI choirmaster had called the rarity of “singing actors”. There are many actors who can sing well, but they’re not actually singers. And vice versa, excepting perhaps those with operatic training. So we saw some actors who were really good, and their voices were passable, but although I don’t know what I was expecting, I guess I was expecting more. The comic relief team of Bard on the Beach’s Christopher Gaze and Simon Bradbury stole the show. And not just because I volunteer at BOTB and am a member as well, but because they were, simply put, a delight. The words “cock-a-doodle-doo” are now forever connected with Christopher Gaze’s portrayal of Henry, and that’s just fine by me. The actor playing El Gallo was a hit with the ladies, as he is meant to be, but I always pictured him to be more of a rogue all around. Smooth, yet “rough and tumble”, so when we saw a very suave, self-assured, but deliberate and exact, El Gallo, it seemed a bit “off”. His singing was perfect – every note delivered with absolute precision, but let’s just say that my disbelief was rarely suspended. So when we left the theatre, we had mixed feelings.
On Saturday, I had the privilege of being one of the fortunate people who had been able to purchase a ticket for the sold-out Mumford & Sons show at the Vogue Theatre. I’d never been there before, and I had a 1st row seat in the 1st balcony, the most House Right seat of the centre section. Perfect vantage point, but not good for standing (too high of a drop for me as I’m afraid of heights). A bloke by the name of King Charles opened. Great voice – a wardrobe inspired by Russell Brand “look at how tight my pants are” – hair to rival the bird’s nest that Amy Winehouse’s can be – and a really lovely stage presence. It was as if he placed himself 2nd to the music. He only did half a dozen songs or so, one of which was a lyrically updated “We didn’t start the fire” by Billy Joel, but I wouldn’t mind seeing him perform again in a smaller, more intimate venue. He has the capacity for owning a room in very short order.
Next up were Mt. Desolation, a band I’d only ever heard about, but never actually heard. Considering I’ve been on their mailing list for the last 4 months, that did strike me as odd, but I was looking forward to finally hearing and seeing them. Musically, they call themselves “alt-country”, and some songs were a bit too “rockabilly” to my liking. However, the musicianship they possess, and energy and fun they have performing was remarkable. They can twang with the best of them, but they also make good on the fact that they too, can “rock out”. Reminded me a bit of a band I once saw support Great Big Sea – I can’t quite remember their name, but it had “Copper” in it. If Mt. Desolation continue to be more alt than country and more rock than ‘billy, then I can totally see myself buying their new and first CD and actually listening to it. For the time being, I would see them again live in a heartbeat. Their keyboard-player/singer alone brings enough verve and enthusiasm to his performance that other bands en masse don’t even bring across.
The headliner: Mumford & Sons. I had never seen them before – I only discovered them the “usual” way. Hear a song on the radio, don’t have a clue who it’s by, but it sticks with me. Then another tune by same band I really like and don’t initially make the connection that it’s the same band. Get name – search out music – thank iTunes and then almost go ‘rabid’ with excitement. When tickets went on sale in mid-August, there was no way I was going to miss out on seeing them. I was not disappointed. My God, they blew my mind. If you’ve ever been at a show when you’ve been so into the music and the performance as a whole you could just cry from the perfection of the moment, that was what last night was like. There was no mistaking it – EVERYONE at the Vogue loved them. The house was theirs. I saw little 8-year olds with parents and grey-haired folks and of course, the ubiquitous Vancouver uni-crowd. A diverse demographic for a band with diverse appeal. One acoustic song (the crowd composed of many shushers and a few who didn’t understand quite how “acoustic” works). The Cave was the final song of the evening, saved for part of the encore which everyone knew had to come because that song hadn’t been included in the regular set. Sigh no more was the song they started with. From beginning to end - apart from drunken young women (and men) asking for certain members of the band to take their pants off (really? Really!) and the annoying guy with a yodel-like woo-hoo-hoo – it filled every sense to the brim and was more than I could ever have imagined of this band. There was talk of plans to record a new album next year (YES, PLEASE). In the meantime, may I suggest a live CD or EP? It would tie the fans over – the two new songs very much appreciated – and although it couldn’t possibly do a live show justice, it could keep the experience and memories of having been to a live performance very much present in a person’s mind.
Friday – 3 out of 5
Saturday – 5 out of 5
On Saturday, I had the privilege of being one of the fortunate people who had been able to purchase a ticket for the sold-out Mumford & Sons show at the Vogue Theatre. I’d never been there before, and I had a 1st row seat in the 1st balcony, the most House Right seat of the centre section. Perfect vantage point, but not good for standing (too high of a drop for me as I’m afraid of heights). A bloke by the name of King Charles opened. Great voice – a wardrobe inspired by Russell Brand “look at how tight my pants are” – hair to rival the bird’s nest that Amy Winehouse’s can be – and a really lovely stage presence. It was as if he placed himself 2nd to the music. He only did half a dozen songs or so, one of which was a lyrically updated “We didn’t start the fire” by Billy Joel, but I wouldn’t mind seeing him perform again in a smaller, more intimate venue. He has the capacity for owning a room in very short order.
Next up were Mt. Desolation, a band I’d only ever heard about, but never actually heard. Considering I’ve been on their mailing list for the last 4 months, that did strike me as odd, but I was looking forward to finally hearing and seeing them. Musically, they call themselves “alt-country”, and some songs were a bit too “rockabilly” to my liking. However, the musicianship they possess, and energy and fun they have performing was remarkable. They can twang with the best of them, but they also make good on the fact that they too, can “rock out”. Reminded me a bit of a band I once saw support Great Big Sea – I can’t quite remember their name, but it had “Copper” in it. If Mt. Desolation continue to be more alt than country and more rock than ‘billy, then I can totally see myself buying their new and first CD and actually listening to it. For the time being, I would see them again live in a heartbeat. Their keyboard-player/singer alone brings enough verve and enthusiasm to his performance that other bands en masse don’t even bring across.
The headliner: Mumford & Sons. I had never seen them before – I only discovered them the “usual” way. Hear a song on the radio, don’t have a clue who it’s by, but it sticks with me. Then another tune by same band I really like and don’t initially make the connection that it’s the same band. Get name – search out music – thank iTunes and then almost go ‘rabid’ with excitement. When tickets went on sale in mid-August, there was no way I was going to miss out on seeing them. I was not disappointed. My God, they blew my mind. If you’ve ever been at a show when you’ve been so into the music and the performance as a whole you could just cry from the perfection of the moment, that was what last night was like. There was no mistaking it – EVERYONE at the Vogue loved them. The house was theirs. I saw little 8-year olds with parents and grey-haired folks and of course, the ubiquitous Vancouver uni-crowd. A diverse demographic for a band with diverse appeal. One acoustic song (the crowd composed of many shushers and a few who didn’t understand quite how “acoustic” works). The Cave was the final song of the evening, saved for part of the encore which everyone knew had to come because that song hadn’t been included in the regular set. Sigh no more was the song they started with. From beginning to end - apart from drunken young women (and men) asking for certain members of the band to take their pants off (really? Really!) and the annoying guy with a yodel-like woo-hoo-hoo – it filled every sense to the brim and was more than I could ever have imagined of this band. There was talk of plans to record a new album next year (YES, PLEASE). In the meantime, may I suggest a live CD or EP? It would tie the fans over – the two new songs very much appreciated – and although it couldn’t possibly do a live show justice, it could keep the experience and memories of having been to a live performance very much present in a person’s mind.
Friday – 3 out of 5
Saturday – 5 out of 5
Friday, July 23, 2010
Haven
Anyone who knows me does know I like TV. As a genre, it can be incredibly thought-provoking, interesting, entertaining, informative/educational, as well as escapist, a procrastination aid, and a general waste of time. I used to downplay it, but on the whole, and as long as it doesn't interfere or prevent one from getting on with one's life and the whole business of living, I say "okay". Besides, I watch taped programmes from the PVR often enough, I may as well write about some of them.
I came across this new show called Haven on Showcase last week. It's based on a Stephen King short story and that caught my attention. I think his books are a little too scary for what my imagination can handle, but I do think he is a gifted storyteller. He knows exactly where the black and the white is, and directs his attention to all the areas of grey people usually don't consider. He did it with another short story "Needful Things" and he did it also with "The Colorado Kid", on which this new series is based.
I'm two episodes in and I already can see the tendrils of arcs and possibilities stretching out. The fact that it is on Showcase is a comfort, I think, because even if no one and their sister watches it, they'll continue producing it. Kudos for shooting it in Canada - the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic in Lunenburg, Nova Scotia figures prominently in most panorama shots of "Haven" (supposedly in Maine) and the cast is also engaging. The two leads I know very little about (Emily Rose and Lucas Bryant), but Nicholas Campbell will be a regular and two of tonight's guests were Stephen McHattie (another icon among Canadian actors) and Caroline Cave (who I know and like from another Showcase programme called Crash & Burn). Maurice Dean Wynt was in the first episode, and he also doesn't suck. All in all, a promising beginning for a promising show. I hope it lasts.
I came across this new show called Haven on Showcase last week. It's based on a Stephen King short story and that caught my attention. I think his books are a little too scary for what my imagination can handle, but I do think he is a gifted storyteller. He knows exactly where the black and the white is, and directs his attention to all the areas of grey people usually don't consider. He did it with another short story "Needful Things" and he did it also with "The Colorado Kid", on which this new series is based.
I'm two episodes in and I already can see the tendrils of arcs and possibilities stretching out. The fact that it is on Showcase is a comfort, I think, because even if no one and their sister watches it, they'll continue producing it. Kudos for shooting it in Canada - the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic in Lunenburg, Nova Scotia figures prominently in most panorama shots of "Haven" (supposedly in Maine) and the cast is also engaging. The two leads I know very little about (Emily Rose and Lucas Bryant), but Nicholas Campbell will be a regular and two of tonight's guests were Stephen McHattie (another icon among Canadian actors) and Caroline Cave (who I know and like from another Showcase programme called Crash & Burn). Maurice Dean Wynt was in the first episode, and he also doesn't suck. All in all, a promising beginning for a promising show. I hope it lasts.
Thursday, July 22, 2010
Performances Reviewed
So, I had my performance review the other day and one point that came to my attention was my habit of unsolicited offerings. Trouble is, I don't have anyone at home with whom to process my thoughts, or knows the same people I encounter at work, or any of that, so I process at work, which can make me come across as snotty, smart-ass, bitter, or all kinds of things. BUT, I can use this as my outlet, so here goes.
Dude at work. Useless (was that already too judgey?). So, he starts dating this girl in October, moves in with her in February, proposes in April - gets so hammered (or stoned) the same night, he can't be bothered with a rubber, and, you guessed it, knocks her up. Expecting twins. This from a guy who, so I've been told, has in the past and on a regular basis, used his rent money to purchase coke and pot. Anywho, dude is also from another country and hasn't officially emigrated. His deportation was ordered a few months back, SOMEHOW, he got it extended, but in his infinite competence, missed a hearing earlier this week and a deportation order was issued. His solution, to marry his pregnant girlfriend (fiancee) next week (like THAT isn't going to raise any flags for Immigration). The plan still is to have a wedding in her home province (ON) as well as a wedding in his home country (Mexico) and to have a "real" wedding here in BC for their friends.
They both in their infinite wisdom decide they should have the twins in Ontario, because health care is free (no it isn't) and then they can live with her parents (rent-free) until they move to Mexico to live with his parents (rent-free) until they can claim welfare. He's sending her to Ontario in September/October (when she needs the most help from him and it's really not her parents' job to do so) so he can stay in Van "and save some money" and work a little longer, then move to Ontario in November/December. The twins are due in late December. Statistically, their chances of going to full-term are close to non-existent.
What a bona fide clusterfuck! I feel sorry for the children already. Their parents are very nice people, but I really don't think they know what they're in for.
I feel better now. Might even be able to shut up at work when it is mentioned in future. It does after all have nothing to do with me (thanking God for this small mercy), but COME ON! insert a frustrated "ARGH!!!" sound here. Thank you for listening.
Dude at work. Useless (was that already too judgey?). So, he starts dating this girl in October, moves in with her in February, proposes in April - gets so hammered (or stoned) the same night, he can't be bothered with a rubber, and, you guessed it, knocks her up. Expecting twins. This from a guy who, so I've been told, has in the past and on a regular basis, used his rent money to purchase coke and pot. Anywho, dude is also from another country and hasn't officially emigrated. His deportation was ordered a few months back, SOMEHOW, he got it extended, but in his infinite competence, missed a hearing earlier this week and a deportation order was issued. His solution, to marry his pregnant girlfriend (fiancee) next week (like THAT isn't going to raise any flags for Immigration). The plan still is to have a wedding in her home province (ON) as well as a wedding in his home country (Mexico) and to have a "real" wedding here in BC for their friends.
They both in their infinite wisdom decide they should have the twins in Ontario, because health care is free (no it isn't) and then they can live with her parents (rent-free) until they move to Mexico to live with his parents (rent-free) until they can claim welfare. He's sending her to Ontario in September/October (when she needs the most help from him and it's really not her parents' job to do so) so he can stay in Van "and save some money" and work a little longer, then move to Ontario in November/December. The twins are due in late December. Statistically, their chances of going to full-term are close to non-existent.
What a bona fide clusterfuck! I feel sorry for the children already. Their parents are very nice people, but I really don't think they know what they're in for.
I feel better now. Might even be able to shut up at work when it is mentioned in future. It does after all have nothing to do with me (thanking God for this small mercy), but COME ON! insert a frustrated "ARGH!!!" sound here. Thank you for listening.
Monday, December 7, 2009
Sunday Night Blog, Post 4
It's a belated Sunday Night Blog
Stuff happens when I write; stuff happens more when I don’t write. Ergo: I really should write more, or at least regularly. Will do better.
So, the first thing I wanted to share was my promotion. I’ll save the other things for future blogs (if only to ensure they happen). It had been initially discussed in late summer as a hypothetical “how would you feel if?”. I was all for it, but it had to mature and in a way, so had I. Punctuality was never my forte, but every morning I get up with the intention of being there on time, and every time SOMETHING happens. Mostly me, if I’m honest. Too many snoozes. Can’t find the car keys. Can’t find the house keys. Too much temperature variation in the shower (equalling to too much time spent fiddling in order to repair it). Where are the clothes I wanted to wear. Spend too much time dithering or tidying. And then there’s my usual version of organised chaos. I am a walking contradiction and considering how rigid I can be in many things, it’s amazing how my starting time at work gets translated in my wee brain to a “general guideline”.
Anyways, so now I’m going to be part of the Management team at my place of employment, which is great, as it comes with a rise in pay. I still don’t manage anyone, I get half of a person – and she’s awesome. But I guess I have been able to demonstrate that I can manage myself. It helps that my definition of salaried employee is that I get paid to get the job done, in contrast to an hourly employee who gets paid to do his job. Period. He/She only gets paid from signing in to signing out and everything over is “overtime”. Salary doesn’t quite work that way, but as far as I’m concerned, it all works out I think. I firmly believe it all comes out in the wash anyway, so here’s to laundry day!
Stuff happens when I write; stuff happens more when I don’t write. Ergo: I really should write more, or at least regularly. Will do better.
So, the first thing I wanted to share was my promotion. I’ll save the other things for future blogs (if only to ensure they happen). It had been initially discussed in late summer as a hypothetical “how would you feel if?”. I was all for it, but it had to mature and in a way, so had I. Punctuality was never my forte, but every morning I get up with the intention of being there on time, and every time SOMETHING happens. Mostly me, if I’m honest. Too many snoozes. Can’t find the car keys. Can’t find the house keys. Too much temperature variation in the shower (equalling to too much time spent fiddling in order to repair it). Where are the clothes I wanted to wear. Spend too much time dithering or tidying. And then there’s my usual version of organised chaos. I am a walking contradiction and considering how rigid I can be in many things, it’s amazing how my starting time at work gets translated in my wee brain to a “general guideline”.
Anyways, so now I’m going to be part of the Management team at my place of employment, which is great, as it comes with a rise in pay. I still don’t manage anyone, I get half of a person – and she’s awesome. But I guess I have been able to demonstrate that I can manage myself. It helps that my definition of salaried employee is that I get paid to get the job done, in contrast to an hourly employee who gets paid to do his job. Period. He/She only gets paid from signing in to signing out and everything over is “overtime”. Salary doesn’t quite work that way, but as far as I’m concerned, it all works out I think. I firmly believe it all comes out in the wash anyway, so here’s to laundry day!
Monday, November 23, 2009
Sunday Night Blog, Post 3
Over the course of the week, I had tried to think of a subject to write about this week, but I wasn't having a lot of success. Then I just started looking around me and the phrase "ignorance is bliss" kept popping up. It's not, is it? To be fair, I have a bit of an issue with that particular saying. For the most part it's actually quite an ignorant one. Literally.
Innocence is the blissful state. To not have experienced anything: no loss, no joy. Utterly devoid of anything on the "outside" of one's own self - that's what's blissful: pure, guiltless, harmless (according to Collins). In that same dictionary, the first definition of ignorance is disregard. Disregard is about choice. Ignorance is about choice. Ignorance is knowing better, knowing the right course to take, the right decision to make, but choosing not to. What one turns a blind eye to doesn't need to be anything earth shattering or have global implications. Over time, it dulls the senses of the individual who thinks he/she's protecting him/herself from something they just don't want to see. It's like teaching yourself not to care about anything other than yourself and what you hold dear. That's not a way to live and it's not something I care to pursue either.
Serendipitously, this afternoon I heard someone say: "Ignorance is a curse. It takes courage to do something about it." I couldn't agree more. I challenge anyone reading this to reflect on this, and to at least consider doing something about it.
Innocence is the blissful state. To not have experienced anything: no loss, no joy. Utterly devoid of anything on the "outside" of one's own self - that's what's blissful: pure, guiltless, harmless (according to Collins). In that same dictionary, the first definition of ignorance is disregard. Disregard is about choice. Ignorance is about choice. Ignorance is knowing better, knowing the right course to take, the right decision to make, but choosing not to. What one turns a blind eye to doesn't need to be anything earth shattering or have global implications. Over time, it dulls the senses of the individual who thinks he/she's protecting him/herself from something they just don't want to see. It's like teaching yourself not to care about anything other than yourself and what you hold dear. That's not a way to live and it's not something I care to pursue either.
Serendipitously, this afternoon I heard someone say: "Ignorance is a curse. It takes courage to do something about it." I couldn't agree more. I challenge anyone reading this to reflect on this, and to at least consider doing something about it.
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