Peanuts n' Carrots n' Concerts n' Stuff

I had no idea that salted peanuts tasted quite so good when eaten with raw baby carrots. Chalk that up to unlikely taste sensations. Very enjoyable. (Part of my lunch today)

O-tay folks... my voice session has been delayed due to the root of all evil: clients. But only for a few days while they agree upon the final draft of the script. Rest-assured that when this is all up n' running I will most assuredly post a link to the website on which my voice is featured. (even if it sucks, I promise.)

We tried and failed to go to the movies on Monday night, and I'm beginning to think that Ted and I subconsciously block our own efforts to get to the theatre. The last movie we saw, was The Hitcher. Which was one of those hilarious horror movies that isn't intentionally funny. That being said, we've failed to see a movie of any calibre of quality in a VERY long time. Unfortunate stuff. But the movie we were supposed to see on Monday was "I Think I Love My Wife" starring Chris Rock. My station had the premiere so it was free. But being a dolt, I didn't think to exchange the voucher for actual tickets in advance, so by the time Ted got downtown the feature was sold-out. D'oh! Can't even get my shit together enough for a free movie.

Ah well.

I made a mental note to start documenting concerts I've seen (there have been quite a few) because of the dialogue that arose from my talking about the Scissor Sisters (at length) last week. I love talking about music, so please, by all means: leave comments about the concerts that you've seen if the spirit so moves you. It's fun to know what music people are into, no matter what the genre.

In no particular order whatsoever... I have seen... U2, Garbage, Madonna, Janet Jackson, Usher, Mariah Carey, Our Lady Peace, The Tea Party, Jill Scott (twice), Erykah Badu (terrible live), Queen Latifah, Faith Evans, Whitney Houston, Prince (twice), Amy Grant, Imogen Heap, Jann Arden (twice), Harry Connick Jr, Lucy Pearl, Melissa Etheridge, Sarah McLachlan, Nelly Furtado, Michael Buble, Bush, Scissor Sisters (of course) and that's all I can think of for now, but I think there's more. If I had to pick a favourite, it would have to be Prince. There's nothing quite like a stadium concert goin' all intimate and interactive, which is exactly what he managed to do both times I saw him. Additionally, Prince is perhaps one of the most underrated guitar players ever. The man is brilliant.

Anyhoo, listing off the concerts that I've seen isn't nearly as interesting as I thought it might be. hah Tell me who you've seen. Share!

Song of the day goes out to my mom, who's birthday was yesterday. (Still haven't spoken but I did send a package/card.) Happy Birthday Squirrelly Shirley. I love you in spite of our differences.

Razor's Edge - Gary Chapman

In this turbulence
That we're flying through,
I just can't fix my eyes on what I love in you.
Yet in the calm of the storm's eye,
I know that there are reasons
why we still must try.

Rummage through memories
piecing together
worn tattered fabrics
of love that remains.

When the voice of love has drowned,
still we'll hear our silent pledge.
Though we find no common ground,
we'll learn to love on a razor's edge.

And our hearts are moved
with the ebb and the flow,
As I try to drop my anchor in this truth we know.
For the depths of love
that I have for you
lie beneath the stormy surface
that we're learning to subdue.

Oh calm the waters,
quiet the tempest,
Bring forth an unfaltering peaceful resolve.

(repeat chorus)

Love seeks a passage
through open wounds,
speaking a language
that comforts and heals.

(repeat chorus)

Quick Hoorah!

I haven't got time for a full-blown post, 'cause work is crazy busy today, but I just had to shout "YAY Me" from the internet roof-tops!

Y'know that audition I talked about a while back?? (see "Casanova Monkey in Da House" post)

I got the part! The voice session is tomorrow or Wednesday. More details to follow. (maybe later today depending on how handy I am with a shovel.)

Tickled and grateful! Woo hoo!

Scissor Sisters Scissor Sisters Scissor Sisters

Say THAT 5 times fast. I know I can't. (a lisper's nightmare!!)

Things I learned about Scissor Sisters last night:

Front-man Jake Shears is WAY more hot in person than in any photo I've ever seen.

They ROCK live. OH... MY... GOD... BECKY! They ROCK live. I was half-expecting them to not be as good live as they are in the studio. Only because Jake sings falsetto A LOT, and sometimes people sing things in a lower key when it's live 'cause they can't hold the high notes the same. But that was not the case. It was amazing to hear him sing live.

Interesting/amusing stories.... Jake Shears lost his virginity in Toronto to a big, buff construction worker years ago. He said with a wily grin that if he was in the audience to meet him after the show. hah! ...their October concert was cancelled/rescheduled because their drummer threw his neck out and had a sac of spinal fluid formed on his neck that had to be surgically removed... ...at one of their concerts in Australia, a mother who brought her kids to the concert, wrote them a nasty letter to complain that they swore too much (funny considering the sexually explicit nature of their lyrics to begin with - but that wasn't the issue she had with them.) and she left with her kids in tow. (this lead to a very funny tirade in which they pretty much recited every cuss word they knew to the Toronto crowd last night)... ...and on a cute note Ms Annamatronic (front-woman for the band) told us all about their trip to Japan, where she performed a DJ set and had a cute little Japanese girl come up to her at the DJ booth to get her autograph and request the song "Healthy / Gorgeous". Hee

Good times. Probably the best small venue concert I've ever seen. (Right up there with the now-defunct Lucy Pearl). It was sold-out and packed. (Which I wasn't expecting.) And the crowd was just about as wild and diverse as the Scissor Sisters themselves. Had to love Jake's blue suit and visor combo too, complete with Mickey Mouse print. The concert was only about an hour and 20 minutes long - which would probably be my only complaint. But that's alright, since it was a weeknight after-all, and I breathed in waay to many second-hand vapours from nasty poppers and such. Tammy and I also got stuck behind this incredibly stinky man on our way out - but we survived.

I WILL see this band live again someday. Mark my words. Campy, vampy, glamourous, glistening-sweaty, rockin', disco fun!

"Ooh"

Some people say such awful things
I don't understand why they're so hateful
We don't need those diamond rings
Even though they look tasteful
Chichi parties
So important
Sink a fortune
High-class apartment
One or two ooh-oohs
Make you feel so good
It's not a threat to nobody
In fact the people should

Oooh
Don't you give me them blues
I got magic in my dancing shoes
Let me hear you say ooooh

When you talk sweet things in my ear
I get so hot inside I'm burning my clothes
Measure distances with tears
The tracks'll run for miles when I feel those
Mixed emotions
In your heart
Guilty feelings
You fall apart
One or two ooooh's
Nothing left to lose
I'm not a threat to nobody
Don't try and give me them blues

Oooh
Don't you give me them blues
I got magic in my dancing shoes
Let me hear you say ooooh

Say honey baby don't you know
Ain't got any money left to blow
Can't buy you no snow cone
Even when it's hot outside

Wanna make love show you what I can do
Pocket that rug and ride the groove
Just lemme go dance and give me no blues tonight

Oooh
Don't you give me them blues
I got magic in my dancing shoes
Let me hear you say ooooh

Classy Honey Kissy Huggy Lovey Dovey Ghetto Princess

Guess where I'm going tonight???

Well OK... you don't have to guess, 'cause you stop in here for me to "tell" you stuff like "where I'm going tonight".

I'm going to see Scissor Sisters! HEE I cannot tell you how cool I think that is, and how much I'm looking forward to it. They're playing at the Kool Haus, and Tammy got us last-minute free tickets. (it's good to have friends in positions of power at successful radio stations.)

So at the moment I'm sitting at work and it's night-time. _s_P_o_O_K_y_
But truly it's not worth it to go home and have to turn around and come back downtown again. Admittedly I miss my boys. All 3 of them. And I miss my own potty. I don't like goin' poo at work, but god knows sometimes there's just no way around it. Whattaygonnado??
Too much information you say??? Yeah... like you never poo.

Digression, thy name is potty-talk.

On another topic.... have you ever noticed that there's a whole section of the greeting card market not being served by not catering to those who love their parents with a good dose of indifference? Of course you haven't. 'Cause normal people buy affectionate cards for their parents.
I looked at EVERY birthday card in the "Mothers" sections (and I say sections, because there are actually several) at Carleton Cards and left empty-handed, and then went to Hallmark to repeat the futile scouring exercise. I almost asked one of the customer service people if there was some secret rack in a secret cellar somewhere where they keep the cards for celebratory acknowledgement without full-blown sentimentality. I know what kind of look that would've gotten me.
So I picked a card with a bear and a rhyme that wasn't quite "trite", but not quite eloquent either. Condescending?? Perhaps. But it's the best I could do given the circumstances and the card industry's lack of demographic study for those of us who don't think their parents hung the moon. For those who might think I'm cold, rest assured that I wrote my own personal message inside to convey my own feelings. But the whole idea was to pick a card that didn't leave quite enough room to say a whole lot. For obvious reasons, filling the big empty void of a blank card wasn't an option either. (I'd run out of swear words. Ba Dum Bum. Just kidding.)

Hmmmm.... million dollar idea?? My own line of greeting cards.
"Skidmark: When you care enough to send... something that says very little."

Ahh well.

Song of the "Night" ...aaaaahhhhh.... it's nighttime.... clever huh? But of course it's Scissor Sisters.

"Filthy/Gorgeous"

When you're walkin' down the street
And the man tries to get your business
And the people that you meet
Want to open you up like Christmas

You gotta wrap your fuzzy with a big red bow
Ain't no sum bitch gonna treat me like a ho
I'm a classy honey kissy huggy lovey dovey ghetto princess

Cuz you're filthy
Oooh, and I'm gorgeous
Cuz you're filthy
Oooh, and I'm gorgeous
You're disgusting
Oooh, and you're nasty
And you can grab me
oooh, cuz you're nasty

When you're runnin' from a trick
And you trip on a hit of acid
You gotta work for the man
But your biggest moneymakers' flaccid

You gotta keep your shit together
With your feet on the ground
There ain't no-one gonna listen
If you haven't made a sound
You're an acid junkie college flunky dirty puppy daddy bastard

Cuz you're filthy
Oooh, and I'm gorgeous
Cuz you're filthy
Oooh, and I'm gorgeous
You're disgusting
Oooh, and you're nasty
And you can grab me
oooh, cuz you're nasty

Anxiety Be Gone

The MOST horrible feeling in the entire gambit of emotions we human-folk can experience is anxiety. (at least in my opinion) I'm having the most inexplicable bout of anxiety today, and I really shouldn't. I don't even know why it's hitting me so hard, but I've basically got 3 things on my mind today. Training one of my co-workers to cover me while I'm away on vacation, getting the car sold, and what to do about my mom's birthday.

All of these things might seem simplistic on their own, but evidently I'm Captain Worrypants today, and thinking about them all at once does little to solve anything. Although... talkin' them out on your blog isn't the most exciting reading material so I won't delve too much with the exception of my mom's birthday which is coming up on the 13th of March. Ack, next Tuesday. Now for those of you who've been following along since January... I haven't spoken to my mom since the last time I mentioned doing so in my blog. (whenever that was) I'm not particularly thrilled to be the first to hold out the olive branch, but I'm going to anyway, because it's the right thing to do. And I'm not going to allow the perpetual silence to continue, even though I will no doubt wish I had once the dialogue is up and running. I say this only because her views and opinions on the topic of "gayness" (of which she has many) are not going to change.

I only had a sliver of hope when I embarked on this personal journey that she would grow and change. That sliver has sadly dissipated to whatever unit of measurement appropriately describes a "smidge more than nothing". This doesn't sadden me nearly as much as I thought it might, but it bolsters my belief that conflict and silence are all that can possibly play out between the two of us. And I'm going to set the first bout of conflict in motion by sending her a birthday card that she'll feel obliged to thank me for. Ahhh... breaking the silence.

I got an e-mail from my sister Cheryl the other day telling me that mom is convinced I don't care about her. Guilt tactics. Guilt tactics delivered by a middle-man. Silence is such a luxury when you're dealing with someone like my mom. Namely because since she doesn't listen, so you might as well be quiet 'cause it's not like she's going to hear anything but white-noise and evil coming out of your sound-minded, misguided-liberal mouth. -sigh-

Positive thoughts. Positive thoughts. I'm grateful that she knows. I'm grateful that she loves me and always has. And I'm grateful that I didn't let the chance go by to give her the opportunity to truly know me. I also have to be grateful for the way I was raised because everything I've learned or been-through has made me who I am. Right? Right.

I like thinking positive.

Song of the day: one of my FAVOURITE artists... Jill Scott. With a strength of spirit, and an amazing talent to write such profound wisdom into her lyrics with simplicity and joy. And sing it all so effortlessly. Jill Scott's music is food for your soul. This is "Golden"

I'm taking my freedom,
Pulling it off the shelf,
Putting it on my chain,
Wear it around my neck,

I'm taking my freedom,
Putting it in my car,
Wherever I choose to go,
It will take me far,

[Chorus]
I'm livin' my life like it's golden
Livin' my life like it's golden, [X3]
Livin' my life like it's golden, golden,
Livin' my life like it's golden, [X4]
Livin' my life like it's golden, golden,

I'm taking my own freedom
Putting it in my song,
Singing loud and strong,
Grooving all day long,

I'm taking my freedom,
Putting it in my stroll,
I'll be high-steppin' y'all,
Letting the joy unfold,

[Chorus]

I'm holding on to my freedom,
Can't take it from me,
I was born into it,
It comes naturally,

I'm strumming my own freedom,
Playing the god in me,
Representing his glory,
Hope he's proud of me,

[Chorus]
[Bridge]
I'm living my life like its golden, golden, golden, golden, golden, golden, [X2]
[Chorus]

Livin' my life like it's golden,It really matters to me, Ohhh

Chaka Khar III

Weekend: gone.

One of the things I wanted to talk about on Friday, was just how close Ted and I were to getting a hybrid car. Now I'm happy to report that it has come to pass. We're proud "leasers" of a 2007 Toyota Camry Hybrid. Her name is Chaka Khar (the third) and she's very likely going to be blue (but maybe red, depending on availability). Isn't she pretty? And fuel-efficient at 1000kms or more per tank. Yeah, I know we've only had our last car for 3 years, but this is quite simply the more responsible vehicle for us. Bearing that in mind, we're quite hurried to get a potential buyer or someone to take-over our lease on our current car. We've got 2-6 weeks before the Camry arrives. So if you're reading this and in the market for a babied, immaculately maintained 2004 Acura TSX, please give me a shout. It's fully loaded (leather & titanium interior/6-speed manual transmission/6-disc CD changer/4-cylinder engine w 200hp/heated front seats/power everything including driver seat/heated mirrors/all 4 windows & sunroof) and within the allotted kilometres on our lease at 76,000. 11 months left on the lease. Oh, and it's also blue. A blue very similar to our new car. (with the possible exception of it being red - hee)

We've been hybrid shopping since December and finally decided that the Camry was our best bet. Although we did come close to choosing the Nissan Altima Hybrid. (decidedly more handsome than the Camry) But the Camry won-out for it's larger trunk (Hybrids are sadly lacking in trunk space because of the battery) and the Toyota track record. The Altima is Nissan's first attempt at a hybrid, whereas Toyota's been making them for 15 years or more.

Ted wanted the Camry from his first test-drive. But it was a bit harder for me to accept it, since it has a big tumor on the hood where the "T" emblem is. To me it looks warty and bulbous. Something I'm more inclined to overlook on it's cuter, smaller sibling the Yaris. 'Cause on the Yaris it's a cute lil meep-beep nose. On the Camry... it's something you try not to look at while you're speaking to it so as not to be insensitive. But... it's a small sacrifice (even if it just begs for reconstructive surgery). At any rate, we're both very excited about the new car, and among the many, many perks of getting a Camry are the stereo (which sounds sublime) and the $2000 rebate we'll get from the government. (Which we'll then sink back into the car, but that's beside the point.) So yeah - YAY!

On the reality TV front. I'd like to emphasize for anyone NOT watching Survivor and/or the Amazing Race... you should. No really, you should be watching. Survivor for one, has not been this cut-throat and nasty since the Pearl Islands edition. You've got 2 tribes living in complete opposite ends of the spectrum in terms of prosperity, morale and desperation. They hate one another and it's seething, competitive, feed-you-to-the-sea-snakes tangible hatred. At times it's uncomfortable, but some really heated conflicts are on the way (I can just feel them coming) and you can tell there will be villains emerging from all sides. It makes things edgy and engaging - which is good since they're noticeably short on the man-candy this season. If you can't have one, you'd better have the other. hee And Amazing Race has been incredibly FUNNY and fast-paced so far this season. Since all the teams have done this before, and they've all obviously been picked to do it again because of their colourful personalities, it's been top-notch. Absolutely nobody is boring to watch. Some, competitors are inane and painfully inept, but they do funny, stupid things so it's all good. Last night the Kentucky miner couple got eliminated with little fan-fare. I'd like to say I'm sad to see them go, but really, they were out of their league and it's a wonder they lasted 3 legs of the race. Rob n Ambah won for the 3rd time in a row which is a bit maddening, but hey... they evidently have what it takes. It could get old mighty fast if nobody takes them down a few pegs, but we shall see.

Song of the day is a good driving tune in honour of new cars and less greenhouse gases.

"Real Gone" by Sheryl Crow.

I'm American made but I like Chevrolet

My momma taught me wrong from right.

I was born in the South

Sometimes I have a big mouth

When I see something that I don't like

I gotta say it.

Well, we've been driving this road for a mighty long time

Paying no mind to the signs

Well, this neighborhood's changed

It's all been rearranged

We left that team somewhere behind.

Slow down, you're gonna crash,

Baby you're a-screaming it's a blast, blast, blast

Look out babe, you've got your blinders on

Everybody's looking for a way to get real gone

Real gone.

Real gone.

But there's a new cat in town

He's got high-faded friends

Thinks he's gonna change history

You think you know him so well

Yeah you think he's so swell

But it's just a front you wait and see

Slow down, you're gonna crash,

Baby you're a-screaming it's a blast, blast, blast

Look out, you've got your blinders on

Everybody's looking for a way

To get real gone

Real gone.

Real gone.

Real gone.

Uhh.

Well you can say what you want

But you can't say it 'round here

'Cause they'll catch you and give you a whippin'

Well, I believe I was right when I said you were wrong

You didn't like the sound of that

Now, did ya?

Slow down, you're gonna crash,

Baby you're a-screaming it's a blast, blast, blast

Look out, you've got your blinders on

Everybody's looking for a way to get real gone

Well here I come and I'm so not scared,

Got my pedal to the metal, got my hands in the air

Look out, you take your blinders off

Everybody's looking for a way to get real gone

Real gone.

Real gone.

Ooh.

Real gone.

Real gone.

Casanova Monkey in Da House

Soooo many things to Blog... and evidently so little time set aside to Blog it.

I don't quite know where to begin, but in a nutshell, things are good. Life is good. March will be the month that I get this demo tape of mine put together. My cousin Deborah who lives in California has offered to pass it along to a connection of hers in Los Angeles in June, and I have every intention of being ready for that well-ahead of schedule. (Thanks Deborah!) In the same vein, I got my first voice audition this week (thanks yet-again to my friend Tammy). The part I'm vying for is a Casanova monkey with a voice along the lines of Antonio Banderas. I was given a clip of the latest Kit Kat Singles TV commercial and asked to recreate it as closely as I possibly could. (I will try to post my clip here somehow) I haven't heard anything yet, but should they choose me, I'll have a recording session at the Rogers studios sometime next week. Fingers crossed.

Wednesday was Porthos' first birthday, and for the first time in my life, I found myself at doggie birthday party. To celebrate, both Cole and Porthos were each given a hamburger patty from the neighbourhood greasy spoon. And to repay us for our thoughtfulness, Porthos was farting up a storm for the 12 hours immediately following his birthday feast. His auntie Tammy spoiled him rotten with a box of doggie baked goods from Barks & Fitz and he got a brand new kennel club ducky from his daddies. Oh... and a pail of chicken jerky (to be dispensed sparingly).

Our trip to Aspen in April is now fast-approaching and with it comes the need to get someone trained to adequately cover for me at work. Come to think of it, I don't recall mentioning that Ted and I are going to Denver as part of his work incentives program. Last year it was St John in the Virgin Islands. The year before that it was Los Cabos, Mexico. We're the tiniest bit bummed that it's not a sunny destination, but since you get treated like a king by his company while you're in their care on these shin-digs, we're not going to be disappointed. Ted's already signed us up for snow mobiling and a cooking class while we're there. Surely there will be more activity. Sadly, skiing isn't high on my list of priorities as I'm afraid to die. (I blame Sonny Bono.) But, I'm really looking forward to being up in the mountains. It'll only be the second time I've seen mountains. (the first being a trip to Vancouver 2 years ago) I love the whole wilderness, ice-peaked view thing. I'm just not keen on hurtling down one with a pair of sticks strapped to my feet. Call it a "fat guy with a bad back" phobia. I will however be the best damned "chalet bunny who ever scoped all the hot men in ski pants" that Colorado's ever seen.

Blah, I've got lots more to talk about, but thanks to all works interruptions (how dare they) I'm unable to finish for now. More details before the weekend's out I hope.

Song of the day is "My Stupid Mouth" by John Mayer. (for my own personal reasons - I can relate today.)

My stupid mouth
Has got me in trouble
I said too much again
To a date over dinner yesterday
And I could see
She was offended
She said "well anyway..."
Just dying for a subject change

Oh, another social casualty
Score one more for me
How could I forget
Mama said "think before speaking"
No filter in my head
Oh, what's a boy to do
I guess he better find one soon

We bit our lips
She looked out the window
Rolling tiny balls of napkin paper
I played a quick game of chess with the salt and pepper shaker
And I could see clearly
An indelible line was drawn
Between what was good, what just slipped out and what went wrong

Oh, the way she feels about me has changed
Thanks for playing, try again.
How could I forget
Mama said "think before speaking"
No filter in my head
Oh, what's a boy to do
I guess he better find one

I'm never speaking up again
It only hurts me
I'd rather be a mystery
Than she desert me

Oh I'm never speaking up again
Starting
now

One more thing
Why is it my fault
So maybe I try too hard
But it's all because of this desire
I just wanna be liked
I just wanna be funny
Looks like the jokes on me
So call me captain backfire

Oh, the way she feels about me has changed
Thanks for playing, try again.
How could I forget
Mama said "think before speaking"
No filter in my head
Oh, what's a boy to do
I guess he better find one

I'm never speaking up again
It only hurts me
I'd rather be a mystery
Than she desert me

Oh I'm never speaking up again
Starting now