Friday, October 31, 2008: Halloweening
Nice afternoon in Lazytown
Perfect weather for Halloween
Halloween was always my favorite holiday as a kid. The combined elements of dressing up in costume, receiving large quantities of chocolates and sweets appealed me greatly, and I have to say still does.
So this evening I joined Sweet William, Wee Fred and associates on the quest for treats. I had rented a Mountie costume and when I went to put it on I discovered to my horror that the costume shop had neglected to include key elements of the outfit. As I no longer looked Mountie enough Sweet William came to rescue by providing me with some elements of his War of 1812 reinactment gear. I borrowed a belt, improvised a small satchel, and with Will's hat and musket, as well as Uncle Bill's rusty sword I became a member of the Royal Newfoundland Brigade.
Will was the Keith Ledger version of The Joker, and Fred was a Goth/Zombie with a butcher knife in the head. Will's friends were less creative unfortunately.
Wee Fred and the pumpkins
Sweet William as the Joker
We headed out at around dusk and did a bizarre route around the area. It couldn't have been a nicer evening for it either. There wasn't a whole lot of kids out from what we saw, although we did run into some families. It is possible that we were late or perhaps the demographics of the area has shifted. In any event there was lots of generosity in the treats department and I enjoyed a healthy 10% commission from the ranks. Wee Fred in particular was concerned I'd raid her stash so she plied me with Kit Kat bars in hopes of warding off any such plundering.
Trick or Treat
Closer view
We did the big circuit around then returned to Wyndham to drop off what had been collected before moving along for a sweep of the area to the West. That route was more confusing for me as I never run that direction so it is all unfamiliar.
Pumpkins
Doing the rounds
We got back around 9:00 pm and made a brief trip over to their Grands for a visit (and more treats).
Thursday, October 30, 2008: Shelley's Birthday Bash
I went to Malabar today and picked up a costume for Halloween. According to the law of Wee Fred and Sweet William I was not to acompany them without the proper Halloween attire. As I dislike make up's effects and can't stand masks I normally go for the uniform type of costume. The difficulty with that on the day before Halloween is finding any left that fit. I was successful however, after some searching.
Tonight was Shelley's Birthday Bash at the small spot that her man Kevin Dj's at. I managed to find an appropriately silly gift and card then went over to College and Manning area for the event. I was unable to stay for the full duration as I had to contend with all things GO and the journey back to Lazytown.
The cheese and candles
Setting up for the party
Tuesday, October 28, 2008: More Snow
It snowed again. Fortunately it didn't last the day.
No!!
Yes, that's snow...
Monday, October 27, 2008: Ouchies & Gear
One part of being back that I am having difficulty with is the weather verses my shoulder. I was badly injured in an Aikido class in 1992 and have suffered with some problems since but in the humid heat of Asia it rarely bothered me. Now that I am back in Canada I have to contend with the change of seasons. This with my moving and sorting through boxes of stuff over the weekend has resulted in ouchies of the highest order.
I have gone through most of the boxes that arrived from Thailand on Thursday and its great to have all my gear back with me. Especially my guitar. I will have to pick up some power supplies for quite a few items however as the ones I have are set for 220 not 110. I've ordered a few odder ones from Moog Audio so hopefully they'll be here soon.
I did get to use my "Thin Amp" on yesterday for the first time since The Redoubt as it has an adaptor that runs from 110 to 220. I could never use it at the SOL because it seemed to pick up every radio channel in Bangkok. This also means I will be able to return the amp I borrowed from Cousin Rob.
The gear's arrival also means potential items to be put to HAROLD purposes. My Alesis mixer would be handy as well as the Electro Harmonix LPB 2ube preamp. The Novation Bass Station and Emu Vintage Keys are other obvious choices but the problem this gives me is how to transport it all to rehearsal. The black MEC bag can handle my current pile of kit but the weight of all that will only cause me further shoulder problems.
Good sky
Thursday, October 23, 2008: Stuff Arrives
The stuff arrived today. The movers actually came earlier than expected at around 11:00 am. Although it took a team of six to pack it up and take it out of the SOL in Bangkok back in July, there were only two movers in the crew that dropped it off.
First they cracked open the big crate that everything was inside, then off loaded the boxes. Then it was just a matter of them lugging it all inside. I'm not really sure what to do with it now, as this arrangement is temporary and I don't really have "a place" for it all. Then there is the prospect of how it will feel to open the boxes up...
Boxes and the truck
A closer look
Accessories of Music
Guitars and keyboards
My clothes and I believe my bass guitar
Wednesday, October 22, 2008: Crispy
It actually snowed yesterday afternoon! Not for long but... Just the idea. It isn't even November yet.
I scanned and sent the form to the Movers on Tuesday so today I got notice that they are delivering the stuff tomorrow between noon and 2:00 pm.
I have been sort of sickly as of late so I failed to run this morning in the early early so I did it later this afternoon instead. It was absolutely beautiful out.
Autumny Colors
Crispy Leafs
More Autumny Crispness
Monday, October 20, 2008: Stamp
Morning sky
Afternoon colors
I got the forms from the Movers today so I was able to go in to the Canada Customs offices on Front Street next to Union Station to get the stamp. I had been sort of dreading this, not knowing what sort of nonsense the Feds might throw my way. In the end it was amazingly easy and the staff were completely reasonable and friendly. Now that I have the stamped form all I have to do is scan it, then send it to the movers. Once that has been completed the stuff will be delivered.
After my visit to get the stamp I met up with Richard F who works a few buildings away. We grabbed some coffee at Starbucks and hung out until 4:00 pm when I had to go meet up with Chris C. We rode the train back out to Lazytown as it was Wee Fred's guitar lesson.
After the lesson we dropped Chris off at the GO Train and then we went for Pho which was good. The jackfruit shake at the place we go is unmatched.
Saturday, October 18, 2008: NanoKEY
Colors and light through the window
There was no HAROLD rehearsal last night. I did meet up with Richard, Chris C and Robin for Pho down town. I also picked up the amazing Amon Tobin CD called "Foley Room".
I stopped in Moog Audio and got the new Korg NanoKey Controller for lappy. I had a chance to mess with it today and it works amazingly. It's size it a plus as hooking up even the small XioSynth is a bit a pain. I have quite a few soft synths on Lappy but I never use them because I can't be bothered. The ease and size of the NanoKey will allow me to use them more easily.
Thursday, October 16, 2008: Notice From Movers
Morning sky
Afternoon colors
I finally received some notice on the status of my shipment from Thailand. The stuff is now at the Canada Customs or the Border Agency or what ever they call it now and the movers are awaiting some sort of code to be sent from there so that they can send me some documents which in turn must be taken to and stamped by the Border Guys. Or something like that.
Tuesday, October 14, 2008: Getting Back the Phone
Morning sky
Autumn colors
I had to meet Sandra at Finch Station this afternoon as I managed to drop my phone under the seat of the car yesterday. Sandra was in the area with Uncle Roy so it was a chance to see him again as well.
Monday, October 13, 2008: Leaving Pittsburgh
I was up early and had some tea with Cheryl after she got back from her run. We said good bye to Chris when he went off to work, and Eric who had school today. Anna and Max however had the day off so they got to say good bye to us when we left.
We packed the car up and headed out at 9:30 am, missing the morning traffic. The drive was nice, the weather good and the colors amazing.
Leaving Pittsburgh
On to the Highway
The colors
We crossed into Canada with no trouble. We stopped at Duty Free so the border guy was only interested in our receipts. He didn't even bother to look at our passports.
Crossing the Peace Bridge
The Peace Bridge
The Border
Entering Canada
We got back to Lazytown at around 3:00 pm. I got dropped off at Wyndham Manor and Bob and Sandra stayed for a bit. It was actually quite warm so I took a swim before dinner.
Jessie welcomes me back
Thanksgiving sky
Sunday, October 12, 2008: Sunday Sight Seeing
I got up early today and watched the sun come up with a cup of tea. People gradually got up and some pancakes and foodstuffs were conjured up.
Sunday Morning
Making tea
Making pancakes
Pancakes made
Kitten
Anna had a soccer game to play and Max refs so he went off to his games. We sat out and enjoyed the day until all the kids were distributed then Cheryl took Sandra and I on a tour of Pittsburgh that included Mount Washington and the University of Pittsburgh area. We drove up to Mt. Washington first and stopped by several of the vantage points to get a view down onto the City. The river was quite active, with pleasure boats as well as tugs pulling barges and some old paddle wheelers for tourist purposes. We saw the only cable car type thing that once brought workers up the mountain but now only halls tourists. We didn't go on it though which was fine by me. The view from the mountain was what interested me most. I took MANY photos.
Sight seeing
American street lights
Stop lights
American Choppers
View from Mt. Washington
Panorama view
Panorama view 2
The Point
Skyline
Washington meets...
Downtown
More Downtown
Bridges
More Bridges
A cool old house
Stars & Stripes
Odd house
Some more bridges
The old Cable Car
The Cable Car
After Mount Washington we drove around the down town area and also passed through "the Hill" which is the area that the TV cop show "Hill Street Blues" is set in. The area is much more gentrified from the time the TV show was made and didn't have the gritty feel I'd expected. From there we went to "The Pitt" which is the area were the University of Pittsburgh calls home. There were plenty of amazing old buildings near there, most dating from the turn of the century or so. There was a little park were we sat and had drinks. I got a taro "bubble tea" which took forever to get but tasted so great I had a second. Afterwards I got some shots of the near by Cathedrals and the Carnegie Library before heading back to the house.
The 1911 Cathedral of Learning
Taro Bubble Tea
A cabin
Another Cathedral
Another view
Views of the masonry
Another
And another
Both Cathedrals
Carnegie Library
Carnegie Library
Reflecting the Cathedral
The bell towers
Another building
Dinner was excellent once again, and afterwards everyone hung out before heading off to bed. I did a bit more recording.
Saturday, October 11, 2008: Swim Meet & Squirrel Hill
Dawn comes to Squirrel Hill
I got up early and had a tea. Cheryl was already off having a run. Today was the big swim meet for Anna and Max. This was a day long affair that required Cheryl to deliver them to the Highschool where the Meet was being held in two shifts.
Anna's events were in the morning so this required her to be taken to the pool by 7:00 am. I went with her and Cheryl while Bob followed in his car later. There were 17 heats in the morning of which Anna was in two. The races weren't very long though so the whole thing went by quickly enough.
It was strange to be inside an ACTUAL American High School. After a lifetime of seeing them on TV and in movies it was sort of bizarre to actually be in one, not the counterfeit Canadian version. And it was the real deal complete with the big glass trophy case and wall of plaques to various achievements.
In many ways the whole Pittsburgh experience was completely counter to what years of CBC reports would have had me believe about life in America. That is that it sucks, is falling apart and so forth. Obviously there's good and bad in any place but from what I saw of Pittsburgh the good is very good.
American High School
The Pool
Power
The great pumpkin
A real American fire plug
Anna was only in two heats and was finished by 10:30 pm so afterwards we headed back to the house to get Max as his heats were in the afternoon. Chris, Bob, Sandra and Cherly went to that and Anna and I went to "downtown" Squirrel Hill for breakfast. We were going to eat at this diner called Pamela's but the line up was too big so we went to this amazing bagel place instead. Once we'd finished breakfast Anna gave me a tour of the local shops including a family friend's framing shop that had a rather fun dog. We also went by an ice cream shop called Rita's and got a treat called "Italian Ice" which was good. We went to the bookstore for a bit then went by a store called "Little's Shoes" where I got Anna a present for doing her first swim meet; a pair of chocolate colored Uggs. She was happy as she was surprised.
We walked back to the house along the lovely colorful streets and got back around 3:00 pm or so.
Framing Dog
Memorial
Firkin Park
Colors
The living room
Once back we watched about five back to back episodes of Zack & Cody which eventually put me to sleep for a bit. Everyone else including Eric got back evetually and coffee was had. Sitting on the porch seems to be an important activity here, and at some point we all ended up there with the entertainment of Anna putting a rather large amount of make up on her Grand Mother.
Towards dusk I went with Sandra and Anna on a brief walk about the area. The houses in this part of the city are just amazing. We walked along the main street then took the road that hooks down the hill behind Chris & Cheryl's house. There was some truly amazing houses along this route and with the sun set and the trees it was quite beautiful.
One of many Obama signs
The only McCain sign I saw
Dusk
More dusk
An amazing old house
We came back up to the house and Anna joined the kids with the Kittens while Sandra and I joined in the talk with the grown ups as dinner was made. Tonight we had some wonderful steaks. I have been fed well since I've been here, not to say that I'm not at Wyndham.
Kitten
After dinner I retired to Anna's room and brought with me Chris' little African Thumb Piano which I fed into the Kaoss Pad 3 and proceeded to mess with. I recorded for several hours.
Recording in Anna's room
Friday, October 10, 2008: Off To Pittsburgh PA
I woke up before dawn and did a run. I've shifted my listening material from my old work out heavy racket playlist to music I would normally fall asleep to. I prefer to run to that now as the whole process of running so early in the morning has become meditative in nature.
I got back and after a nice hot sleepy bath set to work packing my stuff into the MEC bag. I took my MRS8 as well as the two little Kaoss Pad and the new big Kaoss 3 pad. Once I was packed up I headed over to the GO train at around 8:00 am. I had to meet cousins Sandra and Bob at 9:15 at the Appleby Station and I wasn't sure how long it would take to get there. It was beautiful out today.
Waiting for the GO Train
A GO training GOing the other way
Arriving at Appleby
No Parking
I waited around at the Appleby Station until Sandra and Bob showed up and then we headed off to Pittsburg. The drive down was amazing. The colors were changing so there was plenty of gold and reds amongst the greens. The crossing into the USA was trouble free as the U.S. Customs guy just had to swipe our passports and that was it.
I have done the drive to Pittsburgh before back in the Autumn of 1998 with Rhea's Obsession when they opened for some rubbish Goth band from the U.K. before playing in some bomb shelter like club in the frightening city of Detroit. We stayed over night in Pittsburg at the promoters home which I am certain now was in Squirrel Hill.
We stopped a couple of times, once at Pilot for gas. I grabbed some coffee and snackables. We also stopped at this large factory outlet type mall called "Grove City" which was wonderful for shopping. I spent about $250 on lots of autumn attire and some new hoodies for running in the morning as it's getting cold.
Once we were back on the road again it wasn't long before we got to Pittsburgh. We came in through the highways around the downtown then headed up to Squirrel Hill.
Scenery in PA near Grove City
Driving into Pittsburgh
Former foot-bridge
We got to Cousin Cheryl's and unpacked the car. I have been put in Anna's room and she's been moved in with her Brother Max. They'd just got some kittens from the Animal Rescue so we went down to the basement and saw them before I went with Cheryl to pick up Anna and her Dad from their club where she swims. We headed back to the house and preparations began for supper. I sat in the basement where Max had three friends over and watched them and Anna playing with the kittens.
The back porch
View from the back porch
The porch and house
A kitten
Aerial view of kitten
Supper was outstanding. We had barbequed pork roast with salad, rice and grilled peppers. Max's friends came up and sat with us although they didn't eat anything.
Barbequed peppers
Salad
Thursday, October 9, 2008: Autumny
The trees are changing and that means it is autumn. My first in many years.
The trees
Leafs
More leafs
Another view of leafs
Wednesday, October 8, 2008: rain comes
The rain came today but it wasn't much. After so long in the tropics rain here seems like a fine mist.
Red sky in the morning...
The rainy streets
Tuesday, October 7, 2008: Searching For Signal
I have been unable to reach Signal 2 Noise studios regarding recording of old that I did there in the before time. This afternoon after some Pho, Chris C and I went down to the Darling Building where they used to be to see if any one was home.
Nope.
Hello...?
Is anybody here?? Hello....
Hopefully they have just relocated. The seach continues.
Monday, October 6, 2008: Early Run
I've been trying to run earlier and earlier. Today was very early.
The sky
The street
Friday, October 3, 2008: Harold & Headphones
This afternoon I finally managed to get to Moog Audio and pick up a pair of headphones for Harold practice. I got the AKG K81s. Afterwards I met up with Richard F at Steve's Music. I had to stop by there and pick up a guitar book for Wee Fred. Chris said they have a good selection of Beatles song books so I got one specifically for acoustic guitar.
From there Richard and I walked up to the Pho Hung place on Spadina and met up with Chris and Robin for a big feed of Vietnamese food. It was quite the reunion.
At around 6:30 pm I caught the TTC over to the Harold Zone and tried out my new headphones. They work brilliantly. Everything sounds so clear and I no longer have to listen to Jeff hitting his electronic drums externally. Now I can actually hear the sounds he's triggering!
Tonight the spirit of Harold was truly with us. Last week's muffled musings made us all feel sort of off however tonight things seemed quite on target.
My new headphones on my notebook next to the XioSynth
Matt's fretless bass
Phil's magical guitar
Jeff's electronical drums
Another view of Jeff's kit
The firewire mixer we use to monitor and to record as well as my gear, my little mixer, the Kaoss pads and the Xio
Phil's Pedals and plugs
