Kiss the Maritimes dirt?

This is precious- INXS - Huge in Newfoundland!

INXS soldiers on. J.D. Fortune and co. play back-to-back, sold-out concerts in St. John’s, N.L. Per capita, the province has purchased more copies of Switch than anywhere else in the world.

The Laissez-Faire System is not quite working right

That is Novillero. Holy great stuff! I ordered a CD of theirs earlier this year but it was not the latest-Aim Right For The Holes In Their Lives. I knew I liked them the first time I heard them on The Verge last December but finally got the newer Mint release (which I could not find in NS or TO) Two nights ago I put it on while editing and it make a huge impression. Just really well done power pop, clever lyrics, different arrangements and good crunch! I am hooked~but I knew I was from the first listen.

I am exploring a few of the newer purchases I had yet to listen.
The first Meligrove Band CD "Let it Grow" is way too much of a copy of the Sloan led Halifax scene circa 1994. However, "Planets Conspire" has been a soundtrack of 2006 for me. I suspect a high entry in the LMC Tops of 2006.

This summer, thanks to "Skinny Boy" by Amy Millan I have been led into the world that is Stars. I have documented my love for Amy's "Honey from the Tombs" but have yet to mention how I fell in love with Torquil Cambell after hearing an interview with him on Jian Ghomeshi's "Sounds like Canada in the summer” His material with Memphis is a breath of fresh air even though I have yet to get my hands on the new CD. It was time to take the steps to get into Stars since I have individual admiration for them both. Last night, once again while editing, I popped in my newly purchased "Set yourself on fire" and was transformed. I certainly knew a few of the songs off the radio but...what a musical journey those two voices can take you on.

The next listen in the last few weeks has been local darlings The Format. I certainly liked their material but always classified them as more of one of Dan's bands than mine. I had picked up "Dog Problems" when it came out for Dan but he had yet to listen to it. I pulled it out the other night while we were both on our computers. I don’t think he paid attention but I did knowing that one of Redd Kross' MacDonald brothers produced and I think The Format had been studying Jellyfish's "Spilt Milk" The record is very gorgeous in it's orchestration. It is a departure for them as they are known for their catchy sing along style, not these dense numbers. It is one that needs to grow on me but it has all sorts of potential.

Finally in the changer is Sloan's "Never hear the end of it" Once you get it, the 30 tracks and the transition between the many personalities of that 4 songerwriter axis, there is no listening to it in pieces...It is a whole sitting, it becomes one song with many different changes. It is not really meant for singles because the songs seem lonely on their own, without their lead in and out. Originally I felt there were some weak inclusions but now, I can't imagine the sequencing without them. To me, the CD really needs to be played in order live but without a separate drummer; I can't see how they could. It will be my CD of the year but not just because it's my fave rave, etc...It is because it is that amazing. I have not had an entire CD grip me like this in years.

Angels Tonight

Reprint from LJ-

Once upon a time, I was a Tempe music scenster. I went out to shows 5-6 nights a week, knew everybody, was pretty much friendly to everyone, saw most every band in town at one point or another. The scene, like any other had it's share of drama. I stayed away from most of it because I didn't go to the after parties or sleep with any of them. I did have one thing a few of the musicians *may* have used me for. Airplay. I question now whether one boy I was very, very fond of actually hung out with me for that title of mine-Music Director at the only Alternative radio station in town. He was the only fell for full force in all my scenster days. Once he was in a signed band, he didn't need me anymore. The reason I speak of all this is because I started reading a book this week. It had slipped to the back of the book shelf, I forgot I had it. It is by the former bass player of The Refreshments. http://www.amazon.com/Stuck-Outside-Phoenix-Arthur-Edwards/dp/0595281095/sr=8-1/qid=1163319427/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/002-0134975-7805677?ie=UTF8&s=books I didn't really know him but I KNEW other members in his band (read a few sentences back) This book is making me gasp outloud, often. It is a fiction story but you bet your bottom dollar everybit of it is the Tempe scene-1990-when I was a scenster. First thing that had me laughing was the local band that played Chuy's every Friday night to frat guys. Jejune July in the book, sounding a Hella lot like a certain August Red. I remember we had to kinda keep it a secret that we actually went to August Red shows, fans of orginal music did NOT go to August Red shows. We would wander down the street from the Blossoms at Wongs to Chuy's so I could get a fix of my crush. Next up in the book by Arthur Edwards is the obvious band that was the money maker in town, about to get signed, played packed gigs that made over a grand a night-of course his version of the Blossoms. Going along, the main character is at Wong's (called Richmond's in the book) and the server is described just like Sara then he starts talking to the only other guy in the bar, the guitarist for The Prior Angels (Blossoms) YUP, of course a Hopkins character! MY GOD, the author quoted things Doug said to me a zillion times. This book is like reading my journals only with some altered names. IT is flipping me out. Today, the main character is talking about a band who has a hit on KUKQ-YES, he uses KUKQ...My KUKQ, my first radio job. Not only is this book tripping me out for the obvious recount of the scene I lived in also but for another reason, Bay Window. Let's face it, while it maybe based in Halifax, everything I write about as far as a music scence goes and as far as a band developing goes is Tempe, not Halifax.. So what Arthur knows and wrote about are similar to my own expereinces. There were times when I thought my main male character had Hopkins quotes coming out of his mouth also. Surprisingly there doesn't appear to be a character in it similar to the boy I adored (yet) I think the Robin character is about to be introduced (singer of the Prior Angels(LOL)

One other thing of interest to me in this book is the use of names. As mentioned, he uses no real band names except signed, well know acts like The Replacements, Jane's Addiction, etc.. As for the Tempe scene, he uses real bar names but only of ones that are long since closed. If the bar is still open, he uses a fake name. I assume this is due to law suits? It has me perplexed. Even the Mesa Ampitheater, he doesn't call it that. I really need to know this as I use many real names in Bay Window. I wonder what is legal.

Chris and Jay were on the radio today, I caught the last hour assuming I could listen again later...but it wasn't on later and I am so lame because I am depressed, it appears they are done with it. I shouldn't be surprised, Murphy already said Ruhee and I were the only listeners anyway. He told me he didn't want to do it anymore but Jay did...guess Murph got his way. I don't understand why he didn't enjoy it, radio is a breeze for personalities like him. It is ridiculous but I am genuinely sad that it is over.

Finally something Maple to muse about!

I have found a female singer I dig!

For as many years as a music fan, I have been a female singer hater. I might as well have been in a guillotine when I had to go to Lilith Fair for the Zone. Anyone who knows me knows I am hard pressed to answer what female artists I even own in my thousands of CDs/LPs. Hence can you believe my favorite song so far this year is by a female? Yep, I have been quite taken in by the voice of Amy Millan. I knew of Stars from Andrew but it was Amy's solo record that caught my attention, particularly "Skinny Boy." I predict it could be my favorite song of the year. Now I need to pick up the Stars records. Today she was on Jian's Sounds like Summer radio show and impressed me at how cool she is. She just spoke naturally and seemed like someone you would want to be friends with. I have just been so impressed, first the song, then the CD "Honey form the Tomb" and now in interview form. Earlier this summer I heard Torq from Stars on Jian's show also. He impressed me so much I ordered the Memphis record yesterday. Overall, I have to say I have been so immersed in discovering new music since satellite radio added Canadian channels. Between The Verge, C & J show on CBC3 and Jian's show all summer, I have learned so much more! No wonder I ended up buying 75 CDs in Halifax and still had more to find when I got to Toronto.
Other female artists I own: Pat Benatar, Luba, Feist, Kay Hanley/Letters to Cleo, Veruca Salt....hmm...that's about it...

"Avalanche" - Matthew Good drama on the internet

Some of the best drama is not on TV, not with the internet around, not with people so open with their lives on their blogs. I had gotten away from Matt Good's blog reading because he had taken it down for a while...now I know why, he has divorced that cooky chick he was married to. She had a blog I used to read also. I said a zillion times to Andrew, "is she for real?" no one could be that full of themselves and stereotypical. Whether you agree with his politics or not, Matt is a smart guy. It was so curious that he would be married to a, for lack of a better term, ditzy blonde. I know, I know..she is hot, whatever, that gets old when it comes time for conversation. So when Andrew and I went to Sam Roberts, some guy told us that Jen Good cheated on Matt and that Matt was being very open about it at his acoutic shows. It really surprises me that someone in the public eye like that, with know freakish fans, would be so revealing. Does he really need the sympathy of strangers? Well he is getting a ton of it.. I have to say, I am pulled in because he is so obviously in pain and he is an eloquent writer, hence the pain is more pronounced. He had to give his dogs to his parents, he is seemingly moving away or travelling to get away from it all. It is a soap I am suckered into. The look on his face in the picture above says it all. Read the Open Window entry on his blog-damn...

I did experience Canadian music euphora on my recent trip to Toronto to see Sloan. Oh sure, their shows were fantastic but no...I speak of the very first night..I had been thinking of my previous trips to TO anyway..first being in 1986, my very favorite year of music releases. I went to TO on a train with Karen, Nina and a guy from the radio station. I bought loads of records, found elusive The Kids record, a poster of Mark Holmes...it was a magical trip! Anyway, on Much More Music, it might as well have been 1986..I mean I think I have seen more CanCon 80's videos in my last two trips to Canada then I did back then! I was in the ladies room and I came out and T says, "Hey, I was gonna ask you who is this?" I focus to see The Spoons on the TV, first EEEAAPPP! I had to kinda be cool, I think I would have scared her with one of my true pre-teen screams. I really had to hold back the spaz factor as two videos later, PLatinum Blonde comes on..ok, happy...lalalala...next comes Glass Tiger...I am amused, giggling see the old video after just seeing them in NS, explaining that we were seeing two from the holy Five Golden Rings of CanCon bands back in the day (The Five: Plat, Haywire, GT, Eye Eye and maybe Corey? I have to consult with Nina on this) So as the GT is nearing end and I am rolling on the sleep comfort Sheraton bed, biting something to keep from exploding I say "Why don't they just give me Haywire next?" OMG, I nearly fainted (LOL) The beginning of "Dance Desire" came on! I was 18 again...It was unbelievable...and then INXS came on after for good measure

Speaking of INXS, Timmy turned 49 yesterday! I know I am getting old, but I don't think any of my rock heart throbs have turned 50 yet..yikes-;) A student that works at the Blaze told me today he went to INXS when they came here. He said they were stiff and that J.D. did some rapping. Oh dear god...When we saw them with that other singer from Noiseworks, they were hardly stiff. Dan has me sucked into watching Rockstar again. I guess it is nice to have something to watch together again. And Gilby was in Candy....

I did the majority of my blogging about the SLOOOOAN Toronto, London, Bala trip on my LJ. I think I have decided to make this blog my music blog and the LJ is more personal thoughts, etc.. I do have to mention that C & J were seemed very earnest in their gratefulness for my letters to the radio show. I gave Murph the chance to make total fun of me for all the letters but he said so kindly "No, your letters make the show." Aww, he must have asked me 5 times to keep writing and was telling me how dry the show is and how they struggle to fill all the time. I think they don't give themselves enough credit for the amount of knowledge they share in their breaks. I have learned a ton on their show about Canadian bands. I think that says something. Jay was kind to tell me thanks and asked me to keep writing also. They held to their word on the radio and played a song of my choice in Bala. That ranks as my Favorite part of the trip! Here's the set list from the show- My choice, "So beyond me" was first!!!!!

Who taught you to live like that?

In the duldrums of summer and post NS depression a new Sloan single has got things a buzzing. I think the song is catchy as hell and very different. It is making me more excited for the trip to go see them in August. I just seem to not get so wound up before hand like I did when I was younger. Too many other pressures to dwell on I guess. Just like with Melissa prior to NS, getting details worked out with PPF is making me more excited also. I seem to feed off my friend's excitement. I think this trip just signals the end of summer as the kids arrive a week after I get back. Summer goes by too damn fast!

Just a spark

I hear the Church tour is acoustic which is kinda a bummer. I am sure they will be great anyway! It is this Saturday!
I am trying to hear the new Sloan single on the radio, I don't know why I am trying CFOX, they failed me on Matt last year. Now CFOX is talking about alexisfire new material. sigh..
My last dream before I got up today I was in some living room and MArk and Sergie form Platinum Blonde were there. I told Mark I could promote their upcoming show at The Church show. He was all happy and impressed then started kissing me and pushing me into the bedroom...then I woke up-LOLOLOLOL Now there is Maple Musings!

I finished my travel journal for the most part-Check out the LJ for rest.(Link in last couple of entries)

It's your hairclip, my heart rips... THE KATIES are back together!

I have to SHOUT! I found out last night while screwing around on the internet that The Katies are back together. I had them in my list of bands I only got two recordings out of but adore- NO More! They have a new record coming out this year plus I just found a ton of downloads of rarities. I went from post NS blues this weekend to overjoyed. The Katies are a band Dan and I discovered together while still engaged and we have shared their music so many times plus he sings them the best. I guess it is a heart warming thought that Dan and I have that to share together again. I was so excited I had dreams about it last night. Funny what music can do for you!
The releases coming out this year is unbelievable. Of course I have learned of some many new bands thanks to XM all Cancon channnel but then add my big boys in the mix- Already a fantastic Jon Auer record, The City and Colour disc I love the Mobile CD and then Blossoms in August and Sloan in Sept plus possible Matt Good, Loverboy and now the Katies- It is one heck of a great year in music. My favorite songs so far this year include "Save your sissors"- City and Colour and "Skinny Boy" - Amy Millan (Yes that would be a female singer)"out of my head" - Mobile. I haven't heard the Blossoms single enough yet but it sounded pretty darn good. Gee, then there is the Cinderpop and Quinzy records oh and MIR..I will definatly have a top 25 Cds this year!
OK i had to rant on The Katies for a minute. I will try to finish my NS trip blogging later. I came home to a corrupt driver in the home computer so I finally have it back tonight. Dan has to work at night so I will try to stop playing with slideshows on My Space long enough to finish my trip blog. :)

Coast is Clear - In-flight Safety

Two parts of the Maritimes journey done so far.

Farewell Nova Scotia

Here is a a BOAT load of pix, much to journal...for another time..

One Week - BNL (hate that song but it is appropriate)

Maybe because it is only one week away or maybe because the summer institutes are OVER but I am finally freaking out over going to Nova Scotia. This time next week we will be on the plane from NJ to Halifax. Next Friday will be a long day as we have to be at the airport at like 5am, then we don't get to Halifax until 8:30 pm. Long layover in NJ, thanks to a flight time change. I am half way packed. I need to do some laundry this weekend. It is finally feeling real. Missy is way more excited than I am, she is so eager, it is contagious. And she is re-reading Bay Window to get ready. Maybe I should be doing that...;)

The Institutes were a lot more work prior to the students arriving but I was still on call for a lot of things during the past two weeks. Taxes took so much out of the payment I near cried as I counted on that money for the trip. I just need to spend less money on junk-LOL..yeah me, the pack rat queen. I am more worried I will buy tons of cds. I have been doing the Maple Minutes weekly now so I will be looking for material for the show-haha... I plan to take an extra bag in case to lug stuff home.

Amazing this is that once I get back it will only be a month before I head back to Canada for Sloan shows. We have been plotting that trip a bunch too. It will be another trip with lots of driving but at least PPF and I will share that driving, in NS only I am driving. I am nervous because we will be flying stand-by. Nervous to get there, no worries about getting back-LOL

I went to speak at Intro to Mass Comm for Dr. Godfrey last week (who was one of my old fave profs) He had me explain rotations and clocks in radio. I always ask the students for examples of what they think it heavy rotation songs, etc.. They were sleepy dead class and I had no idea what was current. I finally came up with Shakira but Dr. Godfrey said I was getting old that I couldn't name current music-HORROR... My former prof called me OLD! Sniff! I could have told him the heavy rotation of rock radio in Vancouver and London, damn it...;) (Buck Cherry, Godsmack)

So cute, my karaoke singing hubby said he fancies himself as kinda a John Easdale, a scruffy, bigger guy as a lead singer. We keep seeing Dramarama videos on the Alternative. Dan did get some new Karaoke discs last week, thank god. I was so sick of the old ones-;) Now "Nearly Lost You" is his new fave sing. He loves Coheed but no one can sing like that guy except Geddy Lee.

Next week should blow by, we have lots of lunches, meetings and two orientations. This weekend we are taking Hunter to the pool then of course Father's Day. Leaving on that jet plane is gonna be here before I know it! Have I packed too much-Oh I am sure of that!

For the first time since 1988

The Church is coming to Phoenix! I can not believe what kind of musical year this is shaping up to be! The Church would never come here because of some issues they had with promotors, I had to fly to see them back in the day..Now FINALLY! July 22. Nice treat between NS and Ontario trips! OK it is very late, off to bed.

Day Job - Gin Blossoms

Random quickies:

Yesterday was a rather monumental music day in my lil life. I heard the new Gin Blossoms single. Pretty catchy and sweet. I also heard the new (!?)Loverboy track...not bad, honestly! Also bought the new Cheap Trick which has to be the best CT record I have heard in years. Heavens, this is a big year for new releases for *my* bands. I need to keep better track for year end lists this year!

My truck has this nifty feature that allows you to see recent history. I was telling Dan that it is running so fast now that he placed the *magic* chip in it. He checked my history, giving me shite for going 75 one day until we got back to Sun of Memorial weekend when he came back from Flagstaff. Clocked 117! (He did, NOT me) Take it to the strip, not the street kiddies!

The summer Institutes are here now, kinda smooth, a few bumps. I need a vacation, that is evident in my easily annoyed attitude. I think it is 16 days until we leave for NS. I have been so busy chatting with pals regarding the Ontario trip, I have gotten behind on my NS planning. I did start packing last weekend (and wrote down all my outfits to take, I haven't done that since I was in college!)

Yesterday we tried to convert my ipod tunes to my new work computer. It erased all of my ipod so I plugged into itunes and it took and hour and a half to refill it...annoying!

Gotta tell about Sam Roberts concert last Friday but need to go give a tour of The Blaze. I will do that soon!

Waiting for Wednesday - Lisa Loeb

Random thoughts for a mid-week:

Today is the one and only Corey Hart's b-day. He is 44 today! A Gemini. Kind of funny that it was in the Arizona Republic today.

Also while reading the paper at lunch, I see they are doing Rockstar again only this time, it is a made up new band. The band consists of Tommy Lee(reality whore) Jason Newstead(Metallica fans are prolly up in arms) and Gilby Clarke(!) So they are going to look for their new singer. I will not be wasting my summer on that even though I do have a fondness for Gilby. Wonder what Kyle's take is on this one, especially with his former band mate.

I am listening to FM96 in London. I dropped a line to Andrea since I haven't been listening to them since last summer. I heard a hilarious commercial for Labatts about Canadian miracles. I will have to write down the funny lines from it, there are so few good radio spots anymore. As I was on the way to the airport to head to LA, PPF left me a message that Sloan was playing in London the day prior to the show at the Kee. I love London so much from years of going there for the boat races. I have so many memories from that track...Jim surprising me at White Oaks mall, Little Lemon guys following Bonnie and I around the hotel, shopping with my cancon lists, I even remember having memories with Adam Jones there.(My very first crush) Of course, Dan and I also went there a few years back and he got his SS tattoo. I can not WAIT to go to London again! I love hot air balloons too...(geek) So I was so caught up in the idea of going to London again, I went to gate B8 instead of D8. I swear it may have been one of my dizziest moves ever. I ended up walking most of terminal 4 to get to D8. I think I am more excited for London than Bala. Andi can come to Ontario now too! Two trips to Canada this summer..I am so LUCKY!

22 days until NS. I have not really done much in the way of preparing lately. I bought a new suitcase. Our large suitcase does not have wheels so Dan always carries it. I needed one to pull. I think I am taking 4 bags, maybe 5. Am I the only person on earth who dwells on what bags to take on vacations. I should be nicknamed bag lady. I dragged Dan into Marshalls to look at another one and realized I have a million bags. I actually walked away!

Dan made me dinner last night. I was warming some chicken and noodles and he took the chicken, breaded it and put all these yummy spices on the noodles to livin them up. I have no idea how to just randomly grab spices and breading and make food taste so good. He amazes me.

London keeps advertising this smoke free city new laws...I guess I won't get Dan back there. They also have a drag race coming there so I am amused by those advertisements. (although FM96 plays way too many commercials) Now they just advertised a record store called Grooves.

PPF and I went into a record store in Burbank and the band Lost Prophets were there. I should have snapped a pix. I keep telling her that I have liked California better the two times I have visited her. I always detested California in my many visits there. For some reason, the areas she has taken me are nicer or something. All the little neighborhoods near her place have all these lovely flowers in their yards. I even love Burbank airport, it is so easy and has a certain old charm to it. Maybe it is the departing via steps off a plane. Oddly, Hollywood seemed less icky to me while there too. We went to a store called Magic Eight Ball, totally my kind of kitschy products. I could have bought the whole store, such fun stuff.

Oh how funny, 13 Engines is on the radio...I was just telling PPF about them. They were on the bill with The Posies and Pere Ubu when I went to Chicago for the Material Issue baseball game radio trip. One of those other times I surprised a certain Mr. Auer by showing up at a show.

Dan and I went to see X-Men on Monday. I knew nothing about X-men before Dan. I certainly grew to enjoy the stories but I was highly disappointed in the flick. I liked their stories and more dialogue. This movie seemed like it was more about action then story. I haven't talked to Missy but I hope Hunter handled it ok. He loves Cyclops, even named his build a bear Scott. In the movie Cyclops dies. I think Hunter saw it, would guess that would bother him. I know he didn't really handle the demise of Anakin in Episode 3.

OK 'nuff rambling from me. I am trying to decide if I am going to blog NS on blogger or LJ. I am having problems figuring out LJ stuff but you can add more pictures I think. Such decisions, such a dork.

I wanna go wanna go..to Ontario (ok it's a Ken song but...)

One more pix not on LJ, JA in the ghetto. For the JA review

I will be there

It is 1am, I should be in bed but I napped today. I just spent a half hour trying to figure out why I can't find the rich text feature on LJ. Computers drive me nuts sometimes. I think it maybe the same reason I can not see who is "online" on MySpace, something is disabled on this computer.

So here is quick lowdown on life in general. I had a really bad week last week. I tried to make some changes in life that didn't go over as well as I hoped. Last week ended after stroke of midnight last night, that is about the time I pushed buy on the "buy tickets" button for Sloan in Bala, Ontario.

Today is a better day, and soon to be a better week. Even with the knowledge that I am going to Canada twice this summer, I can still have an off week, right? Let's just say I am trying to see someone else's opinion from all angles..and their angle sucks! (No, not Dan)
OK on to less cryptic (believe me I wish I could share all this, hence why I was trying to use the private LJ version)

Here's the giddy silly stuff: Glass Tiger has one date on their Pollstar listings...Dartmouth, NS June 30. I am guessing I might be the most overjoyed dork flying all the way to Nova Scotia and will end up seeing Glass Tiger....I had to get an 80's band, right? Makes me laugh thinking how I had recently listened to the travel tape of Nova and I seeing GT in Tucson. I haven't told her yet, too bad she is not going...we could have truly relived our youth. Maybe we should never go back?

Indeed a month later I will fly to Toronto to drive 3 hours to see Sloan at some lake country resort area. The scenery alone (No, not the band) is making me swoony. Seriously, I adore Ontario and want to make it my setting for another novel so I really am thinking about all the notes I plan to take. It is about as far north as Mackinac Island, MI. And yes, of course I will be *pleased* to see the band again also. Not to mention I am beyond excited to be in Toronto... this is turning out to be one heck of a summer.

Before all that Canadian vacationing begins, I am heading off to La-La land again this weekend. Seems we need a part Deux for PPF and I's misadventures! Jon Auer is this Friday night. The solo record is just plain dreamy so this will be a treat to see him acoustic. Saturday is Glen Phillips which should be a great night also. The following week, back in AZ, we actually have a decent show here..SAM! Sam Roberts is playing June 2, although there are like 5 opening acts which is annoying as hell.

I had the last three Blaze station managers at one table on Thursday..that was the highlight of my otherwise shitty week! Nick M was visiting from SD, wish I could have spent more time...

I have other pointless babble in my head but better sleep...I want to start writing number two but Bay Wiondow looks like it needs another edit from what I have gone back and looked at..bleck to editing!~

Only the lucky ones get to see te show

Random ramblings from the Mod Maid herself on a Monday:

Listening to 91X online because Marty Willson Piper is supposed to be on. Sigh, I still love Marty so much! PPF got to see him over weekend. She said he was fantastic plus he is funny and smart! I need to make a list of artists I still wish I could see. Marty solo would definitely be one of them. I have never seen Stringfellow solo either. Of course the two big 80's I never saw: Cutting Crew and Haywire. Then there are The Katies :( Wow, I am quite fortunate I have seen most every artist I love but those are the ones who stick out in my mind.

New stupid girl’s habit - I keep seeing girls in their fuzzy slippers at the store. Today I saw a girl crossing the street, dressed in decent clothes, not shorts and her big green fuzzy slippers. The funniest part was you could tell she could feel the hot pavement. Here's the deal, in AZ you can not even wear thin flip flops or thin soled shoes in summer. I have seen this trend a few times lately-just looks stupid and will burn many girls’ tootsies.

So relaxed today, classes are over, no students for 3 months. I am sure I will get bored and lonely but for now...ahhhhhhhh...

This new Snow Patrol song isn't bad but I hate trendy bands...

Melissa is so easy going! I told her there was a concert with three bands she has never heard of in PEI. She's like cool, we can flip our plans around, let's look at hotel prices in Charlottetown! Oh and she said, make me a CD to check out all three bands! (Hip, Sam and Matt Mays) We are waiting on the plans until we hear who else is playing that weekend. I spotted that Pilate and Immaculate machine are both playing while I am there now too. Looks like there should be some good shows. Pilate is at the Marquee too! (I maybe able to see the inside!)

The writing conference I went to this past weekend was pretty interesting. A very nice gal asked me if I wanted to sit with her. Turns out she kinda started writing the same way I did in that she had a sil who read a lot and she kept chapters going to give her sil something to read! She told me she had an agent but didn’t trust the agent. She ended up self publishing. It doesn't really cost that much too just get the book printed yourself. You promote yourself, you build your own website and they print the books as they are ordered. It serves more as a memory or legacy. It is the idea that you are not trying to get "Signed" to some big money book deal, you just put it out there for your friends, etc... My guess all along is that no big publishing house is going to see me as some fresh faced writer they want to give a big signing bonus. Not too many people would see value in a novel about a girl in radio in the 80's in Canada. Sure, I could try to shop it to some Canadian agents but I am not kidding myself. I just liked doing it. It would be nice to have it in a book form. So I am thinking about just self publishing for the fun of it. I could design a webpage and sell it for like $10 bucks. I wouldn't have to change anything for some editor. I could have Dan draw the cover too! (Although I told him he could not make Patrick and Elise into cartoon super heroes)

I actually did a lot of work today! Even with no commitments whatsoever! :proud of self:

I found a cookbook I have been looking for today while cleaning up Stauffer office-Yeah!

I don't have a good reason to have both a blog and an LJ but seem to have no problem blabbing selfishly on both...

It looks like Ontario is a strong possibility if I can get flight passes. Even the idea of flying into Toronto makes me giddy! Toronto and NS in one summer-Holy spoiled brat! But I worked so frickin hard this past semester, isn't that why we deserve vacations? Fingers crossed~!

Sloooooan Aug 6, The Kee in Bala, Ont

Wasn't sure if it was going to happen but it appears to be...Ontario in Aug???

Many things to tell. Life has been hectic due to the end of school year. I have been to many end of semester dinners and parties. Tonight I am at work late because it is the Cronkite school graduation. Two of my Blaze directors are graduating, one of which is the student speaker for the event. It has been hard to say farewell to this group. We had a huge Blaze party last week, the kids gave me a huge Canadian flag they made me put on as a cape. The next night we had a nice dinner for just the Blaze directors. Tony told me they were bidding on a Jim Zorn jersey for me (sniff) They got outbid at last minute.
Last weekend we had the end of year banquet for my Cronkite Village kids..I just can't get over how well that all turned out. I let the kids put that together and it was at a fancy restaurant, we had to dress up. The menu was choice of salmon, steak, chicken or pasta. They put together a music slide show of their year together, and gave out mock awards. They were so kind to me too, they gave me roses, an engraved pen and engraved business card holder. I guess I am so blessed that this all worked out well for not knowing what the heck I was doing to start.
Last night was the new Blaze directors dinner. I think we have a great group again, just different in that they are a fun loving group, lots of joking around. I am excited for them to see them at work.

I did DJ shift this week, was a dork and nervous for some reason. I decided to do it for the summer to break up my monotony that is the basement of Stauffer. At least it will get me over to Blaze each week and fun to boot!

I am going to a Writing conference tomorrow. I have no idea what to expect but interested in learning. It will be a long day as I will drive straight to Casa Grande to see the Garcia girls who both graduate this week also!

OK, more soon...time for graduation....

Take the Dartmouth Ferry to....

Last night May 1 at 11:53pm, I finished editing Bay Window. I suppose one is really never completely done with one's work but I don't think I will really want to change anything now. I need to spice up some exacts, like names of some specific items or places. As far as story content, I am done. Finally tally seems to be 7 months to write and 3 months to content edit.

Dan is watching a horrible movie (per usual) called The Faculty. I remember playing junk off the soundtrack on The Zone. I am often reminded why I don't watch TV and movies.

Can I rant about Tempe Arizona being the stupidiest town known to man. They have a university that already has near 60,000 students. They want 100,0000. YET, some developer bought the property across the street from The Blaze to build some huge high cost condos. Now they already built high cost condos on Mill that they had to sell to ASU because no one wanted to foot the 200,000 a year bill for a loft. SO instead of having food and service options for the zillions of students, they took an entire block away. The first sign this week was Hogi Yogi closing. There is a sign in the door with a snarky remark "closed due to University Progress.." Something to that effect. Now today one of the directors found out that an investor bought the whole block, which includes Dave's Dog house, Lorenzos, Subway, Restaurent Mexico, etc... I remember that plaza from the first time I came to Arizona in 1981, went to a skateboard shop. Sigh, progress in Arizona is usually always stupid.

My new neighbor in Stuaffer Hall offices told me today her favorite band is Our Lady Peace. What are the chances? I was so nervous my new neighbor wouldn't quite deal with, well me and my kids dropping by... I think I am safe, she has travelled to see them...gosh who does that? ;)

Now American Idol is on,(I'm at inlaws) I have never seen this show, honestly ever! This guy Taylor on right now has early grey...oh my...insert pix of fave guitar Canadian player here...I should just let mine go LOL! OK this is s lame, again, no wonder I don't watch TV. (Rock Star was just as bad, I know)

Andrew brought by my new Canadian CDs by today! Now I can listen to "Save your scissors" over and over! Yeah I finally have City and Colour, such sweet songs. I got the new Sam, Mobile and two Meligrove Band cds.

Funny, a commercial was just a spoof on Twister! OK, no more TV for another year or so..