Saturday, November 29, 2008: Harold Gig

I rested up most of the day as I've been feeling rather run down from all my running around. After lunch I had a nap and got up at around 2:30 pm. I went for a 30 minute run which seemed to clear my head and afterwards I got ready to go into the City. I caught the 4:30 pm GO Train from Lazytown to the Harold Station and then walked over to Chez Harold.

Lazytown Station

Sunset

Looking West

Waiting for the train

I got there just in time for the big roll out, Jeff having already packed the Harold Wagon full of our many toys. I was forced to sit in the back of the Mattilac and ride over to the Renaissance Cafe on Bloor where we played tonight.

When we arrived the Country Folk were still set up and singing so we had to wait until 6:30 pm or so to set up our gear. While we waited Jeff set up the video projection devices and the computer controller Catherine, Phil's wife was in charge. This meant, unlike our last show, the visuals being projected would be manipulated in real time as we played rather than just running through a sequence.

When the Country Boys had packed up we mounted some back drops for the visuals to be projected on then proceeded to set up our gear. I had some minor problems with my keyboard rack but it was sorted out in the end.

Jeff and my Kit

Another same view of the same kit

The Xio

The Kaoss Pads on top of the Emu Vintage Keys Plus

Once we were all set up we did a short sound check then had time to grab a bite. I hadn't eaten much all day so I was rather hungry. Matt and I ordered some of the Cafe's outstanding chilli. It was good.

Mmmmmm.... Chilli

The opening act Zooids, which consisted of a fellow named Malcolm Lewis on banjo which he processed through a bunch of stompboxes, and a bass player named Richard showed up and set up their stuff. They had an ancient Univox drum machine. Truly a rare piece of old kit.

The Univox beat box

Another look at the Univox's settings

Once they'd set up and checked their sound others began to arrive. I honestly wasn't expecting much of a turn out and at first I thought it would be pretty quiet however by 9:30 pm the place was packed.

A view of the Renaissance during sound check

Another view

Several of my crew showed up including the Legendary Andrew (aka Strider) whom I last saw in Bangkok in March. Stephan and Wendi showed up with a friend as did Richard F. Cousin Jayne was also in there however Paul had to stay home with the kids who were sickly. We took over a table next to Jeff's rowdy family and settled in while the place filled up.

What is a Ping?

Another view of my set up. What's that thing hanging?

Could it be?

Doraemon : I Am Cat-like Robot

The Zooids did their electro-banjo-beatbox and bass guitar bit at around 9:30 pm and their set was followed by about 30 minutes of music. I went up on my own to start the Harold set off, however I believe many folk didn't realize I was responsible for what was happening. None the less, after ten minutes or so of "stuff" which included the voice of Wee Fred asking "Can you play that song, you know the one, it goes... (insert bass tones here)" over top of some Kaossillator loops and mighty mellotronism from the Emu. Then I slipped in to the XioSynth's burbling "Oakville Memory" tone which signalled to the Harolds that Node 3 was about to begin. Or was beginning. Or had begun. Jeff joined me and was followed a few seconds later by Matt then Jeff and off we went down the path of Node 3 and onward.

The show went quite well and was above all other things fun to do, which is in my opinion the only reason to do this at all. If it's not fun why bother? When it is that much fun why would you not? There were few if any "problems", although I did have a ghost in the machine issue with the Emu. The patches were all switched about although I am not sure how they could be as they were in their proper places yesterday. I also had battery failure on the Xio so I had to switch 6 AA's at the end of one song. People have suggested I use a wall-wart for the Xio but I would honestly rather deal with failing batteries than deal with even more things being plugged into a powerbar.

Some fellow kept calling for "more guitar". I think he didn't realize that what he was hearing WAS GUITAR. Over all it went well and Matt finally got to be louder than either me or Phil or the both of us combined.

Afterwards I had to pack my stuff out and roll with Cousin Jayne as she has a solo to sing at Knox tomorrow. I will not be attending.

Friday, November 28, 2008: Harold Before

The early bus to the GO Station

I got up in the early and caught the bus to the GO then came into the City.

I met up with Richard F this afternoon and we walked over to Pho Hung on Spadina for the weekly Applicators / Dreamlogical reunion meal. Chris met up with us although Robin couldn't as she was at the "One of a Kind" show. After the meal I took the TTC over to the Harold zone and went to Chez Harold. I set up my kit and awaited the arrival of the others.

I am rather exausted from the schedule I've had over the last three weeks. Hopefully this will not effect tomorrow night as much as it has the last few rehearsals.

Cat in a guitar case

Nod 3 setting on the Kaoss 3 Pad

Phil's set up once again

I left earlier than usual, finishing up at around 9:45 pm and packing up for tomorrow. I caught the 10:30 pm GO from Harold Station back to Lazytown, then took a taxi back to Wyndham Manor.

Eastbound GO Train coming

Eastbound GO Train going

Tuesday, November 25, 2008: Night Bus

I did my weekly visit to the Annex today. This included a haircut and a trip over to the Grapefruit Moon where I met up with Bobo. Afterwards I took the TTC down to Union and caught the GO Train back out to Lazytown.

Waiting for the bus at Lazytown GO

Sunday, November 23, 2008: Surviving Choir

I actually managed to get up and go to Knox and sing today. Unbelievable.

I woke up at around 7:30 am and got ready, then went with the Wyndham Manor Massive to Crossiant Express for breakfast. Afterwards it was over to the Church and downstairs to prep for the service. I failed to get one piece of music but was able to wing it. Over all I felt somewhat dazed. After service we came back and I promptly fell asleep many hours.

I got up at around 5:30 pm and found that Paul's folks were over for dinner. There was some sort of Football game on which was of no interest to me so I ate dinner at the table. Afterwards S William and I watched the David Lynch version of Dune on his computer.

Now for some Mellotron!

Saturday, November 22, 2008: Selling Sigma

Cold morning

I woke up around 8:00 am and had a nice waffle and bacon breakfast with everyone. It was good.

Chris came over later morning with his car and helped me bring in the Korg Sigma and Korg M-500s into Toronto. I've sold them both to Francis at Moog Audio. They are in need of tuning and some cleaning / repair as well as having their power changed from 220 volts to 110 volts and those expenses would have cost me a few hundred bucks. So I sold them to Francis "as is".

After we'd dropped them off we drove out to the Peace Theatre and I dropped off my keyboard stand and the gear I'd taken home last night. Sharon and others were there doing a crafts/art fund raiser show so I just put the stuff down in the basement where we're rehearsing and headed back to the Annex.

Slippery

I headed up to the Grape Fruit Moon and at around 3:00 pm had a second breakfast with Bobo. Afterwards we hung out until I had to go to Harold.
Bobo drove me over to Harold in the Bobomobile. Once there I set up the keyboard stand and arranged the machines accordlingly.

We played until 10:30 pm but I must admit that tonight I was so tired that I was mostly just poking at the machines with my fingers and nothing more. Tomorrow I sing with Knox again.

zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

Friday, November 21, 2008: Harold Snow

I was up early but it remains too snowy to run in my current footwear. I headed in to the City early as usual. I saw the most profound graffiti I've ever seen in the men's room at Union Station. So profound that I actually took a photo.

Truth proclaimed in the Union Station men's room

Today was much running about. I met up with Richard F later in the day and we headed over to Moog Audio. I took care of some things there, then we headed to Chris C and Robins. The four of us walked down to Pho and had some food.

Afterwards I headed over to Chez Howard and from there got a ride up the to Children's Peace Theatre where Harold is rehearsing this weekend. Much of the gear was already set up. I didn't have my keyboard stand so I had to improvise something with a rather bulky table. Once everyone was set up we practiced until 10:45 pm.

Phil's set up

Jeff's electronic kit

Jeff's brain says "Harold"

Matt's bass

My stuff on an improvised stand

The Vintage Keys Plus

We packed up and I got a lift over to the Harold GO Station where I then stood in the freezing cold for twenty minutes until the train arrived.

Waiting for the Harold Train home

Harold Station

Thursday, November 20, 2008: Choir

Early morning bus stop

The snow remains with us

Tonight Knox Choir sang at a retirement home in Burlington. Sort of heart breaking gig. Seeing an old age home makes me want to flee back to Asia, get married and have kids so I'm spared the fate of being "stored until death" when I am older.

Wednesday, November 19, 2008: Snow

Early morning at the bus stop ; no snow ...

Coming out of Union Station ; clear sky

I should have run in the early morning but I didn't, thinking that I could do it later in the afternoon just before dinner. Then in the late afternoon it began to snow. And snow. And snow. Alot.

So the best I could do was take an hour walk. As much as I dislike the cold I have to admit I LOVE the snow. This was also the first proper "first snowfall of the year" I've had since 1999.

Snow

More snow

It's snowy now

I bet you ten bucks this person is glad they aren't in a "smart car"

After dinner Wee Fred made a wee tiny snowman with pennies for eyes then began dancing about while singing the "Frosty the Snowman" song with strangley altered lyrics.

Wee Fred's wee snowman

Tuesday, November 18, 2008: Reprogramming Emu

Sunset at the GO station

Tonight I spent a great deal of time reprogramming the presets in the Vintage Key Plus. I am also attempting to reposition the patches in the most logical and Harold friendly way possible. This will hopefully make using the box easier in a live situation. Or something.

I am also considering selling a great deal of the gear I've collected over the last few years. I simply don't use it all and there are other newer items I'd rather own. As much as I love the analog gear such as the Sigma, the old gear is heavy and tends to need repairs. Time for NEW Analog gear.

Monday, November 17, 2008: Lessons

Clouds moving south

I met up with Chris C and he came back out to Lazytown with me for Wee Fred's guitar lesson. I went for a run while that went on and got back around 6:00 pm. I saw the first Christmas light display of the year on one large old house. It made my run truly festive. I had a shower then we got Chris back to the GO Station for his trip back to the city. After dinner I continued to reprogram the Emu Vintage Keys for maxium Harold potential.

Sunday, November 16, 2008: Quiet Sunday

The kids weren't around this morning so I went with Jayne and Paul to Crossiant Express for an unusually quiet breakfast. Afterwards it was over to Knox. I am back in the Choir after being away from it for most of October. This morning wasn't too bad although I am still some what confused by the order of service.

It was pretty quiet this afternoon. I basically rested up after such a long week of running about and Harolding.

The last of the Autumny out the window

Saturday, November 15, 2008: Freezing Harold

We had a nice pancake and bacon breakfast this morning. Afterwards everyone headed out and I had the day much to myself. I tried out the Android Modulator pedal on the Novation Bass Station and the results were truly outstanding.

The Bass Station going through the Copilot FX Android Modulator

I caught the 4:30 pm GO Train in to Harold this afternoon. It was cold and windy and raining hard when I left. I managed to get totally soaked on one side just by walking from the shelter to the train. The ride in was bizarre as the train was pretty empty. I listened to some of the King Crimson Collector Club CD's Richard F had lent me on the way in.

Pulled over in the rain

A tree

Waiting for the train

And this one is a freight train

I got to Harold House early and set up then hung out with Jeff and Sharon and managed to score some Kraft Dinner (Huzzah) and a hot dog.

Tonight I introduced Harold to the Emu Vintage Keys Plus and the Korg Kaoss Pad 3. These new additions required me to use the Alesis Multimix Mixer as my pre-board mixer. The small Tapco board I bought serves as the mixer for the Xio and the Vintage Keys. I run the Vintage Keys through the Kaoss Pad 3 as well as using the sample function for further sonic fun. I will be using the Xio as the Midi controller for the Emu as well as continuing to use it as the main Harold synth.

Tonight's Harold practice went extremely well. We managed to do an version of "Node 3" which is my favorite track off the yet to be released Harold CD. The mellotron sounds worked extremely well with in the Harold arrangement. I used some organ sounds, specifically the Vox Jaguar sound, however I have to say the Xio preset "Church Organ" which is one of the few preset I haven't replaced works best for me. I will need to spend more time next week reprogramming some of the sounds on the Emu for complete Haroldification.

Things ended early tonight and I managed to catch the 10:30 pm train. The weather was just diabolical upon leaving. The rain had turned into freezing rain and or sleet. I took a taxi from Lazytown Station to Wyndham Manor.

Friday, November 14, 2008: Wet Harold

I got downtown a little earlier than usual today and met up with Richard F at the Starbucks beneath the tower he works in. I had a chance to go up to his office and it made me miss the days of old.

After we checked the markets we walked over to Moog Audio where I picked up a 110 vold power supply for my Alesis mixer which arrived with all my stuff from Bangkok. As I am increasing my arsenal of gear with Harold I am required to use it. I also picked up a reasonably priced stomp box called an "Android Modulator". It's some sort of fuzz/ring modulator pedal. Afterwards Richard and I walked up to Pho Hung and had Pho. Chris C was unable to join us today.

Phil introduced the Roland GR-30 guitar synth to the Harold mix tonight. We had given him the GK pickup and cable for his Birthday, so I have loaned him the GR-30 that I bought in Bangkok to use for the time being. (He's already asked to buy it from me.) Although there was some level issues when switching between different patches the GR-30 worked well.

Phil's pedals and GR-30 with ghost cat

No cat

The GK3 pickup

Phil prays to the GR-30

It was cold and rainy when I caught the GO Train from Harold Station. Blah.

Cold and rainy this way

Cold and rainy that way

Wednesday, November 12, 2008: Assembled

I finallyI assembled the two tier keyboard stand that I picked up in Waterloo last weekend and did a mock Harold set up to get an idea of how much space I have to contend with. I put the Kaoss Pads on top of the Emu Vintage Keys and set them on the second tier. I will use the Xio for a controller rather than the Bass Station.

The stand with the Bass Station, Emu Vintage Keys Plus and Kaoss Pads

Tuesday, November 11, 2008: Remembrance Day

Sunday, November 9, 2008: Birthdays

I did a little recording last night with the gear I had brought. I haven't been recording as much since I've been playing in Harold so it was a chance to try sampling some tones from the soft synths on my laptop (with the help of the NanoKey) and messing with them on Kaoss Pad 3. The results were atmospheric.

This morning we had a great breakfast, featuring Rob's superior egg cooking, and tasty bacon goodness. After breakfast we hung out and eventually Rob and I played some Ghost Recon on the Playstation.

At 3:30 pm we headed over to Aunt Audrey & Uncle Ken's for the big dinner. It was Cousin Marla's Birthday last week, and is Rob's next so this was a combo dinner and cake event. Marla came with her Husband Ron and their two youngsters Miranda and Merideth.

Remembering Uncle Wilbert

Some computer animated Barbie Christmas DVD was watched before the big feed began. The food was outstanding of course. After dinner came the lighting and blowing out of the cake followed by eating and ice creams. There were gifts and the like as well as visiting. Uncle Ken discovered the joys of the Korg Kaossilator.

Cake!

Rob & Val drove me back to Wyndham Manor at around 9:00 pm.

Saturday, November 8, 2008: To Kitchener

Cousin Val picked me up from Lazytown today and drove me up to Kitchener for the weekend. Cousin Rob was working so we stopped by Long & McQuade Music to see him. I picked up a few needed items such as a guitar stand for Wee Fred, and some proper keyboard stand for my Harold related gear. I hope to have the Roland Saturn 9 operational for the 29th gig and I need something to place it on.

Rob ended his shift at 5:30 pm so Val and I hung out next door at a little cafe. I was shocked to see they sold "Pop Shop" pop, which was the pop of choice in my childhood. It simply tasted better than the big brand pops and it still does. I had a root beer for old time sakes. (This one's for CATNIP...)

When Rob finished work we headed back to Chez Rob & Val and I set up in their guest zone. We had a tasty pizza for dinner then hung about and visited.

Friday, November 7, 2008: Friday Harold

Early sky and tree

Autmny morning

The weather seems to be slipping back towards colder. Oh well.

I met The Original Chris C at Pho Hung for some food at around 4:30 pm today before heading over to the Harold Zone for Harold rehearsing. I was the first Harold on the scene arriving before even Jeff.

Some further discussion of all things Harold took place before and after breaks and the occasional playing. As Guitar Hero Phil's big Birthday was yesterday I provided him with a Roland GK3 pickup for one of his guitars and Jeff and Matt provided the GK cable to go with. He will have to eventually come up with a brain to control but in the mean time I will lend him either the Wave Processor or the Roland GR 30 guitar synth. This will no doubt make Jeff's editing and mixing of our work even more confusing that before as Phil's twinkle dust sound mesh with my own until it's all a dog breakfast of synthy butter and electro-tandoori goodness.

As for the recording efforts tonight, much of it was so so however there were moments when Harold peeked through the ether and said hello.

I got the GO Train from Harold Station at 11:30 pm. Once at Union Station all the AC/DC concert goers climbed on board and made the ride to Lazytown less enjoyable than usual. The train was more packed than it might be during rush hour. 90% of the concert goers and AC/DC t-shirt purchasers were over the age of 40 and 125% of them were either drunk or stoned or both. I made a point of listening to Wire's "Object 47" to counter the effects of any possible AC/DC overspill.

I strongly dislike AC/DC by the way. AC/DC were considered the height of "coolness" when I was in High School. Many of the "stumblers" in their untied Greb Kodiak boots and plaid hunting jackets had the AC/DC drawn on the backs of the jean jacket "vests" in ball point pen. The numbskulls who boarded the train were no doubt the same ilk that once tormented my uncoolness for preferring the likes of XTC and Wire.

bah.

Monday, November 3, 2008: Warmer

GO Station sky

Today's weather was the exact opposite of yesterday. It was warm.

Sunday, November 2, 2008: Mixing Harold

I went into the Harold Zone today as there was some mixing to do. I hadn't eaten so I grabbed some Greek food off the Danforth before walking over to Jeff's. I'd forgotten how cold it can be here. I was dressed warmly too, complete with touque and gloves but the wind that sweeps along that area was without mercy. I was happy to reach Chez Harold.

Today's mixing was for the upcoming Harold CD. The process is nearly complete and I wanted to tweak some of my parts. I didn't rerecord anything, however I did take out some bits I didn't like and adjusted volumes up or down on other areas. As the material was all recorded live there were bits on several of the tracks where I was scrolling through the XioSynth or Kaosillator "looking" for a sound. The result is a few seconds of "bleeeeep, blllaaaaah, naarrrrrpp, etc until I stumble across something that I want. Only in one instance did we leave that sort of thing in (the beginning of "912").

We finished up at around 5:30 pm and I caught the 6:30 GO Train back out to Lazytown.

Saturday, November 1, 2008: Wrath of Candy

I spoke to Sandy in Bangkok last night. It was good to hear her voice.

This morning I headed into the City in the early early to return my costume to the shop, and to grab some breakfast at the Grapefruit Moon. Sandy Moon was working and later Sunniva showed up. I believe this may be the first breakfast I've had there with both of them present since 1999.

How time flies.

Bobo, Kells and Little Chris showed up later and we took a table together. Little Chris was suffering from a classic case of Halloween Hangover. The kind of hangover that is caused by staying up all night eating chocolates and candy. He managed to eat then headed back home for a much needed nap.

I had to meet up with Chris C so we all headed down towards Chinatown and I stopped by Chris and Robin's. Afterwards Chris and I went for Pho then I caught a ride with him back out to Lazytown.

An autumny tree

Tonight it was just me and Will. We watched Star Trek: Wrath of Khan, amongst other things.