Wednesday, August 13, 2008: Polymoog & Sunset
While in the City I stopped by Paul's Boutique to see what used gear they had. I was shocked to find a Moog Polymoog complete with the foot controllers. It was actually the first one I've seen in person. I messed with it a bit and as tempting it was for the price (and it being a Moog) I am able to resist temptation because I know it would require service and tuning as well as the problems the massive size and weight of thing would cause. I already have the Sigma to deal with when I get it over here so no Polymoogs for me at this time.
A rare beauty from 1975ish - Polymoog
A beautiful sunset this evening. Certainly a different view from what I've grown used to.
Sunset
Sunset panorama 1
Sunset panorama 2
Sunday, August 10, 2008: Water Damage
With all the rain that has been going on this year the basemend did see some flooding. Although all my other items which have been stored there were protecting in plastic boxes the Chapman Stick case was set on the floor in such a way that it was exposed to the wet. The case thankfully took the bulk of the moisture and the inner foamy lining absorbed it however the Stick itself did suffer and will need to be shipped back to Stick Enterprises for some repairs. I will wait until the fall to take care of this as I will have them put a new pick up on the Stick as well as a Midi pickup.
Fretboard damage!
Another view
Close up
I took the strings off and with some very careful work and a dry rag I managed to get most of the green goo off of the frets however there is definately need of some professional treatment.
Saturday, August 9, 2008: Rainy Pick Up
Today was the day that S William and Fred finished up their camps so I went up to retrieve them with Jayne and Paul. They'd borrowed Paul's folks mini-van for the drive up to an area around Bracebridge. By the time we got up to Fred's camp it was raining pretty hard. Jayne and I were dropped off there to collect Fred and Paul drove over to get S William. They collected us about an hour later.
From there we headed back towards the Lazy Town at the best possible speed in the rain and with traffic. A stop was made at an excellent roadside dinner that served the most outstanding burgers I've had in many years (Angus Beef!) We had to stand in a huge line up to order and collect our food and afterwards we ate in an old railway car that is set up for that purpose. If it hadn't been so awful out we could have sat in the park area but it was too just to wet.
Cruising for burgers
Afterwards we continued on stopping for a while at a small outlet style mall to purchase back to school footwear for the youngsters. I bought a new pair of trainers and my old battered and blood stained ones from Currahee were left in the Land of Smiles. S William and I had a great deal of fun laughing at the various ridiculous shoe stylings at certain stores. "Goblin shoes" seem to be the newest fashion rage.
After many hours we finally returned to a sunnier day at Wyndham Manor.
Thursday, August 7, 2008: HAROLD
Sleepy clouds and parking
Looking this way
Looking that way
Today I went into the City. I took the GO in and once in managed to take the wrong street car from Union Station. Who’d have ever thought I’d get lost on the TTC. I ended up at the Exhibition street car loop although my intention had been to go up Spadina and get off around Dundas to find a sim card for my phone. I ended up having to take a rather round about route and by the time I did get to Chinatown the place I’d intended to buy a sim at was overrun with back to school students taking advantage of some big promotion. The fellow was actually sold out of sim cards. In defeat I headed back up to College and took the street car towards Parliament.
View from the 509
Old familiar sites
The CNE loop
Tonight was of course the HAROLD rehearsal. I met Phil (guitar and echoness) and Mat (bass and fretlessness) over near Phil’s place. We walked down and got some pizza then headed back to Chez Phil. At around 6:30 pm we headed over to Jeff (drums and drumminess). We set up and I was indoctrinated in the ways of HAROLD. I provided noise and pads on the XioSynth with smatterings of twinkle dust and weirdness from the Kaosillator through the mini Kaoss Pad. I was rather a lot of fun.
The Wizard of Echo
I had to cut out at around 10:00 and make the incredible journey back to Lazy Town. I got a lift over to the local GO station and did the trip. At the Exhibition stop the train was boarded by hundreds of horsy faced large rumped teenage girls wearing too much make up and brand new “Backstreet Boys” concert t-shirts. I was thankfully safe in the land of iPod with Amon Tobin to protect me from the overwhelming marketability of the Backstreet Boys. (A name which I always thought made them sound like male prostitutes)
I got to the Lazy Town station and went through the usual nonsense of the Taxi drivers not knowing any addresses or streets in the area. I find this baffling, as it’s not like the streets here are that numerous or jumbled into some sort of shanty town labyrinth. I got back to W M safely though.
Monday, August 4, 2008: Holiday Monday
Today was a civic holiday, not that it means much to me right now.
I woke up at around 8:00 am which is sort of late for me. I had a nice breakfast then did some recording. I spent the day out by the pool as well as in it.
Morning recording
Kaosillator close up
Kaosillator buttons
MRS8 close up
MRS8 sliders and dust
The mini Kaoss pad
Jayne and Paul got back from camping at around 8:00 pm sans kids who have the week up in the woods still. They did bring Pho which is always welcome.
Sunday, August 3, 2008: Into The City
View with a morning tea
Another morning view
Jessie looks for the kids
I was up very early today and spent the morning out by the pool. I swam and sat around until noon when Cousin Rob and Cousin Val showed up with two friends of theirs who are visiting from Alberta. We hung out for a bit then they all went into Oakville and I remained by the pool until around 2:00 pm. I got ready and at 3:30 pm or so they came back and I went into Toronto with them.
I got a ride up to Bathurst and Olive then walked over to the Grape Fruit Moon. Unfortunately it was closing up as the long weekend hours are 10:00 am until 4:00 pm. I did get to see Sunniva and Rebecca and say hello for a bit. Afterwards I walked down to the Panzerotti Village Café and sat out the patio. I had an outstanding plate of Raviolli with meat sauce.
From there I strolled down to Chris and Robin’s and hung on their bell until Chris came down. He was surprised to see me there as I had not warned him of my return. We took a long walk down town and talked. Eventually we walked down to Union Station. I caught the 8:43 pm train back to Lazy Town and took a taxi back to W M.
Saturday, August 2, 2008: Alone
I was up early to the empty house and spent the morning recording some stuff out by the pool. Once I felt it was warm enough I packed all the gear back inside and swam. I managed to contact Cousin Val and they will be coming down this way tomorrow so I should see them then.
Out to the pool
The XioSynth, Mini Kaoss Pad and Zoom MRS8
The XioSynth and Mini Kaoss outside
I had to relocate inside at around noon when there was a massive rain storm. It cleared up by about 1:30 pm and by 2:30 pm it was nice enough out that I took a walk over to the grocery store, then headed on to the Vietnamese/Thai restaurant. I had an outstanding meal of Pho as well as a tasty jackfruit shake and some excellent spring rolls.
Summer walk
Tracks
Lazy Town
A creek
Nice streets above
The walk back took about 45 minutes. It was a lovely day and although the tempetures are about ten degrees cooler than what I’ve grown used to I don’t miss the humidity at all.
Tonight I swam and lazed about.
Friday, August 1, 2008: Water World
I was up early early and was joined by Fred in the TV zone at around 7:00 am. Once Sweet William was up we relocated out to the pool area. Jayne eventually joined us as well.
Watery goodness
More water
Jessie comes to visit
Today the T-M Massive vacated Lazy Town and went up to Camp Something or Other for the long weekend leaving me alone to converse with Jessie and the Ghosts of Wyndham Manor. They rolled out at around 3:30 pm and I quickly returned to the comforts of the pool after they’d gone.
The pool is empty
This evening consisted of pool although I did conjure myself up some pasta for dinner. It was strange to cook without the benefits of “my” kitchen, or the usual Tops Market ingredients.
