In July of 2013 Lydia's Pub in Saskatoon closed its doors forever. It was a sad day for Saskatoon, and a huge loss for the local music community. I had recently moved to the Broadway area, and Lydia's was one of the main contributors to that decision. It closed on a Monday, and I was scheduled to perform at Open Mic Night the day after. I was crushed.
The next day, July 30th, Melissa Gan and I, who comprise the musical duo Wolfen Rabbits, helped to organize a jam on the red benches just outside of Lydia's, and our friends gathered for an informal acoustic jam. People brought guitars and drums, violin and cello, and we sang songs that people kind of knew, and everyone had a great time. Someone brought candles, and it turned into a vigil of sorts.
Nobody was in charge. Nobody hosted or told people what song to play. Someone would start playing, and those who knew the song joined in. It was a community of musicians gathering to say goodbye to a place that we had played at so many times before, and we were determined to have a great night. And when people saw the gathering, they would stop by to chat, or would park their cars and join us. "Open Sidewalk" at Lydia's was a wonderful success.
It was a sad night. And yet I assert that it was the most satisfying Open Mic Night at Lydia's that I have ever attended. We didn't need the building to have an amazing time. We needed instruments and people, and a reason to get together and remember of all of the good times we had in that building.
After some efforts to look into saving the building, it was announced that the Farnham Block that housed Lydia's will be torn down. And many people are upset about this, and I understand that. It has been a place to gather for so many years in this city, and it is where so many of us have made friendships and lasting memories that will carry us long into old age.
But let's not pretend that the venue was a model pub or venue. The unkempt washrooms ensured a balanced ratio of urine-to-stale-beer stench. The layout of the bar in relation to the stage was impractical at best. I'm convinced that they never cleaned their taps, because every beer on tap tasted awful. (I have yet to experience an Alexander Keith's pint that tasted that bad.) And I'm sure most of us have been terrified at the prospect of trying to unsoberly navigate the Stairs of Death. It was not a clean place, nor a well-designed pub, and it would be unreasonable to pretend that it was simply because they're tearing it down.
I think it is important for not to let our nostalgia falsely romanticize a really awful building. It's not the building we will remember about Lydia's. I don't remember having good times with the bricks, or the stairs, or the dirty floor or soapless washroom or the bottleneck between the bar and the stage. We're forgetting why the numerable crappy things about Lydia's were worth tolerating.
What made Lydia's an amazing place to go was the people of Saskatoon, and the incredible music and arts community that gathered within those walls. But those walls don't make us who we are; we make those walls what they are. It was always what those walls contained that made the difference. Those people are still here in the city, playing music, reciting poetry, and there will always be new places to gather. Losing the building will not wipe our memories, nor will it affect our ability to make new memories with the people who are still around.
I am as sad as anyone about the loss of Lydia's, and some of my fondest memories of Saskatoon occurred within its dirty walls. But I refuse to grieve for bricks and wood while the people that made that space matter are still around me, every day, doing what they did, just somewhere else. Let's remember that the spirit of Lydia's was us, the people of Saskatoon, who on the corner that day in July made music together and had a wonderful time. And we didn't need a run-down building to make those lasting memories with one another. We just needed each other.
Make It Happen
Tomorrow is International Women's Day, a day in celebration of the achievement of women around the world. It is supposed to be a day of respect and love, but today I witnessed something that deeply disturbed me. As I was walking home from work, I saw a man across the street approach a woman right in front of the Tim Horton's downtown. He was very animated as he talked, and it caught me eye, for some reason. But the walk light turned, and so I crossed the street to the opposite corner of the intersection.
Then I heard her, at this great distance, say "get out of the way." I stopped. I looked back, and saw that she tried to go around him, but he physically blocked her path. I saw two men in suits cross over to that corner of the intersection. The men looked her way with passive concern, as I had, but crossed when the walk light turned, just like me.
I stopped. I knew someone should do something. But I didn't want it to have to be me. Why couldn't it be them? They were closer. I stood there. I waited.
And then it struck me what a fucking coward I was for not standing up for a woman who was being harassed in public. She had a man physically blocking her from walking down the street, and nobody was doing anything about it. And if it wasn't going to be me, it wasn't going to be anybody.
So I took off my belt and wrapped it around my hand, crossed the street once, then again by cutting through traffic, and walked up to him. Adrenaline is all I had, because confrontation is not my strong suit. I told him to leave her alone. He looked at me, and was clearly drunk. He turned to me and tried to excuse what he was doing. She snuck past him and into the Tim Horton's. So I thought it was over.
He followed her into the Tim Horton's. She locked herself in the washroom, and he tried to talk through the door. I went outside and phoned the police. A customer came outside to talk to me while I did.
"I wanted to do something, but I have my daughter here," he said to me. His name was Jamie. He indicated that we should keep an eye on him together. As I hung up from reporting the incident to the police, the harasser walked outside.
Again, the man tried to appeal to us that he wasn't doing anything wrong. "I just wanted to talk to her."
"If she asks you to leave her alone, you need to leave her alone," I said. It probably sounded feeble. The woman slipped by and headed down the street while Jamie and I engaged the man. Jamie was more intimidating and assertive. He lectured the guy about respecting women.
Jamie took the lead. He was assertive and took the lead. I was okay with that. He looked way more badass than I did.
Eventually the man wandered in the opposite direction as the woman had gone. Jamie and I chatted a little while to make sure he didn't double back. He walked off toward the river, and the incident was done.
So what's the point of this story? I'm not certain. I mostly needed to write it down because I'm still processing it. It's been a long and strange week, and this incident certainly added to the "what the hell just happened" factor.
It's sad that this woman couldn't walk down the street without this guy harassing her. And it's sad that nobody stopped to help. It's sad that I didn't stop right away. I was just another one of the indifferent passersby who couldn't be bothered to help someone who clearly needed an ally.
I am afraid of confrontation. I cower from any sort of interpersonal conflict. But I am grateful that today I stood up for someone. Nobody should have to put up with that kind of harassment. I don't want to live in a world where women are harassed on the street, and nobody does anything about it. When I think of something like that happening to someone I love, I want to know that there are people out there who will intervene when they see an injustice. And the only way I can expect to live in a world like that is if I am willing to cross the street and fight for those who need, and deserve, a little help.
Then I heard her, at this great distance, say "get out of the way." I stopped. I looked back, and saw that she tried to go around him, but he physically blocked her path. I saw two men in suits cross over to that corner of the intersection. The men looked her way with passive concern, as I had, but crossed when the walk light turned, just like me.
I stopped. I knew someone should do something. But I didn't want it to have to be me. Why couldn't it be them? They were closer. I stood there. I waited.
And then it struck me what a fucking coward I was for not standing up for a woman who was being harassed in public. She had a man physically blocking her from walking down the street, and nobody was doing anything about it. And if it wasn't going to be me, it wasn't going to be anybody.
So I took off my belt and wrapped it around my hand, crossed the street once, then again by cutting through traffic, and walked up to him. Adrenaline is all I had, because confrontation is not my strong suit. I told him to leave her alone. He looked at me, and was clearly drunk. He turned to me and tried to excuse what he was doing. She snuck past him and into the Tim Horton's. So I thought it was over.
He followed her into the Tim Horton's. She locked herself in the washroom, and he tried to talk through the door. I went outside and phoned the police. A customer came outside to talk to me while I did.
"I wanted to do something, but I have my daughter here," he said to me. His name was Jamie. He indicated that we should keep an eye on him together. As I hung up from reporting the incident to the police, the harasser walked outside.
Again, the man tried to appeal to us that he wasn't doing anything wrong. "I just wanted to talk to her."
"If she asks you to leave her alone, you need to leave her alone," I said. It probably sounded feeble. The woman slipped by and headed down the street while Jamie and I engaged the man. Jamie was more intimidating and assertive. He lectured the guy about respecting women.
Jamie took the lead. He was assertive and took the lead. I was okay with that. He looked way more badass than I did.
Eventually the man wandered in the opposite direction as the woman had gone. Jamie and I chatted a little while to make sure he didn't double back. He walked off toward the river, and the incident was done.
So what's the point of this story? I'm not certain. I mostly needed to write it down because I'm still processing it. It's been a long and strange week, and this incident certainly added to the "what the hell just happened" factor.
It's sad that this woman couldn't walk down the street without this guy harassing her. And it's sad that nobody stopped to help. It's sad that I didn't stop right away. I was just another one of the indifferent passersby who couldn't be bothered to help someone who clearly needed an ally.
I am afraid of confrontation. I cower from any sort of interpersonal conflict. But I am grateful that today I stood up for someone. Nobody should have to put up with that kind of harassment. I don't want to live in a world where women are harassed on the street, and nobody does anything about it. When I think of something like that happening to someone I love, I want to know that there are people out there who will intervene when they see an injustice. And the only way I can expect to live in a world like that is if I am willing to cross the street and fight for those who need, and deserve, a little help.
A Poem
One time, I awoke from the strangest dream
And wrote in a book by my bed.
At least as far as I can tell,
this is what it said:
'Fear is a frightening thing
It can consume you and your precious offspring
giving
taking
giving
taking
Giving potential in exchange for life
A life worth living
Extraterrestrial dreams of
Anything better than this
Vote for your favorite flash in the pan
Make a fad forever
Help support inane memes (Donate today!)
Your flavorless ham sandwich
Looks at you longingly
Like the pig you imagine it once was
Likening illness to a stew
And the potatoes will fuck your day up
And leave you with a false sense of toast
Punctuate. Everything.
capitalization of letters and
advantages
Start new lines instead of finishing
old ones
Graffiti your heart
Have big dreams and tiny goals
Don't forget to shut the light off when you're done.'
Wellington, NZ
This past week marked a year since I arrived in Wellington, a city which felt more like home than the city I have lived in for most of my life. I have thought fondly of my time spent in New Zealand, and most importantly, the people I met there. The general friendliness of Kiwis remains one of my fondest impressions about my experience there. There was always someone smiling at me, and it helped me to feel like less of a stranger than I truly was. I have discovered that Canadians and Kiwis share an inexplicable connection that makes the process of meeting new people and friends effortless. If you have ever thought about traveling to New Zealand, do so, because none can rival the hospitality of Kiwis.
Wellington is a city full of art and culture. Everywhere you go in the core of downtown, you will find street performers and artists, music of all kinds, and friendly people going shoeless. The city is very pedestrian-friendly and so you see more people in a given day than you would trapped in a vehicle necessitated by suburban sprawl. If you go to the Cuba Street Mall, (which is not a mall by Canadian standards, it's a street) you're bound to see someone you know, even if you know very few people. This constant face-to-face contact with other residents develops a very strong sense of community, one which I have not experienced anywhere else I have ever been. Wellington is a remarkable place.
All of the people that I met in New Zealand have a special place in my fondest memories, during the best summer I have ever had. Well, so far.
Also, I am dying for a Moro Gold chocolate bar.
Wellington is a city full of art and culture. Everywhere you go in the core of downtown, you will find street performers and artists, music of all kinds, and friendly people going shoeless. The city is very pedestrian-friendly and so you see more people in a given day than you would trapped in a vehicle necessitated by suburban sprawl. If you go to the Cuba Street Mall, (which is not a mall by Canadian standards, it's a street) you're bound to see someone you know, even if you know very few people. This constant face-to-face contact with other residents develops a very strong sense of community, one which I have not experienced anywhere else I have ever been. Wellington is a remarkable place.
All of the people that I met in New Zealand have a special place in my fondest memories, during the best summer I have ever had. Well, so far.
Also, I am dying for a Moro Gold chocolate bar.
Long Weekends and the Un-Hangover
My father got married this weekend, and during the course of the reception, I ingested an unadvisable amount of alcohol for someone of my tolerance. Needless to say, the following day was unpleasant. In additional to my chemical disruption, I also did not sleep well, so my day yesterday was a complete write-off.
After an evening of drunkenness, we experience a low, where the highs of the previous festivities are inverted to the lowest depths of regret. The fun is great, but the backlash is a bitch. Well, today, I am experiencing the backlash to the backlash. I feel more rested and lucid than I have felt in a while. The nausea has subsided, and the headaches are no more. I am born again sober, and it's great. I've been productive today, completing several things on my ongoing list of things to do. One of those things was to continue posting on my blog.
So if you're unsure what to do with your next long weekend, I have a recipe that will bring you highs, lows, and moderate productivity. I have included some extra options for the reckless.
Long Weekend Special
Day 1: Consume too much alcohol. Mix in some family and friends for a good time. For a more cake-like texture and a bit of drama, add a splash of drunk texting. For extra spice, drunk text your friends' ex's.
Day 2: Stir in as much water as you can without feeling bloated or full. Eat bacon, but do not eat eggs. Moan and regret for 7 to 14 hours hours on low. Get a good night's sleep.
Day 3: Sleep in, but when you awake, marvel at the glory of not feeling like shit, and remind yourself how good it is to be alive. Eat a Mr. Freeze freezie. Post on blog.
After an evening of drunkenness, we experience a low, where the highs of the previous festivities are inverted to the lowest depths of regret. The fun is great, but the backlash is a bitch. Well, today, I am experiencing the backlash to the backlash. I feel more rested and lucid than I have felt in a while. The nausea has subsided, and the headaches are no more. I am born again sober, and it's great. I've been productive today, completing several things on my ongoing list of things to do. One of those things was to continue posting on my blog.
So if you're unsure what to do with your next long weekend, I have a recipe that will bring you highs, lows, and moderate productivity. I have included some extra options for the reckless.
Long Weekend Special
Day 1: Consume too much alcohol. Mix in some family and friends for a good time. For a more cake-like texture and a bit of drama, add a splash of drunk texting. For extra spice, drunk text your friends' ex's.
Day 2: Stir in as much water as you can without feeling bloated or full. Eat bacon, but do not eat eggs. Moan and regret for 7 to 14 hours hours on low. Get a good night's sleep.
Day 3: Sleep in, but when you awake, marvel at the glory of not feeling like shit, and remind yourself how good it is to be alive. Eat a Mr. Freeze freezie. Post on blog.
On Lesbians...
I discovered in New Zealand that I often develop little crushes on women who turn out to be lesbians. This is clearly not an ideal situation for a straight male. However, I managed to use it to write a song that is truly my own.
This new song is so very me, in that it contains complete tangents, and is the goofiest song I've ever written. It's strange that I tend to write lyrics that are way darker and more serious than I truly am. This song feels much more true to life. Topics include the aforementioned lesbian hunting, Star Wars Episode III, and Natalie Portman, my biggest celebrity crush. Watch here for an upcoming youTube video of it!
This new song is so very me, in that it contains complete tangents, and is the goofiest song I've ever written. It's strange that I tend to write lyrics that are way darker and more serious than I truly am. This song feels much more true to life. Topics include the aforementioned lesbian hunting, Star Wars Episode III, and Natalie Portman, my biggest celebrity crush. Watch here for an upcoming youTube video of it!
So Many Separate Projects...
Lately I have been keeping myself busy with a bunch of different artistic endeavours. I arranged a two-song medley of "Idioteque" by radiohead and "Eleanor Rigby" by the Beatles, and performed the set alongside Cody Kurz and Melissa Gan (double bass and violin respectively). It was a lot of fun, and I really liked the sound of that ensemble. I have a few other songs that I want to arrange for that group, and I hope to drag them both out to an open mic night at Lydia's some time soon.
I have also performed alongside Nolto a few times lately. I still don't know what the general reception is to acoustic hip hop. Once we get a few more tracks ready, I hope to film a performance of ours, and record it as a live album. Slowly, but surely, that project is creeping towards its intended goal.
In addition, I feel really good about the progress we've made on a movie by Five Stones Films. Every time I go through it, I feel less and less compelled to make any changes. The opening scene has already been shot, and you can see an example of it here.
In general, it has been rare for me to consistently make progress on this many projects at once. Normally, I want to do a number of things, but only one gets worked on at a time. The first that I truly started artistic multitasking was in New Zealand, where I had the time to do so. I've proven to myself that I can actually work on a number of things at once, and that I actually truly enjoy bouncing from one project to the next as my interests change. It is clear to me that I have been persistently more prolific since my trip abroad.
Thanks, New Zealand!
P.S. I miss your chocolate bars.
I have also performed alongside Nolto a few times lately. I still don't know what the general reception is to acoustic hip hop. Once we get a few more tracks ready, I hope to film a performance of ours, and record it as a live album. Slowly, but surely, that project is creeping towards its intended goal.
In addition, I feel really good about the progress we've made on a movie by Five Stones Films. Every time I go through it, I feel less and less compelled to make any changes. The opening scene has already been shot, and you can see an example of it here.
In general, it has been rare for me to consistently make progress on this many projects at once. Normally, I want to do a number of things, but only one gets worked on at a time. The first that I truly started artistic multitasking was in New Zealand, where I had the time to do so. I've proven to myself that I can actually work on a number of things at once, and that I actually truly enjoy bouncing from one project to the next as my interests change. It is clear to me that I have been persistently more prolific since my trip abroad.
Thanks, New Zealand!
P.S. I miss your chocolate bars.
Housekeeping
It has been far too long since I posted here regularly. I went through a less-than-awesome transition period upon returning to Canada from New Zealand, and it took me a while to get settled. I now have a full-time job at Long and McQuade as a guitar salesman, and I hope that the stability of a real job will allow me to return to my more regular blogging schedule.
I have been slowly working on some musical projects lately, and I have a few upcoming concert appearances. I really want to perform live music on a regular basis again, and the next few months should help me regain the wonderful habit of regular performance.
In addition to my musical projects, I have recently begun doing some revision for a script that is being turned into a short film by Five Stones Films. So far it has been an interesting project. More on that as it develops.
In the meantime, I have uploaded a few tracks composed in the late stages of developing Notepad Command.
Notepad Command Extended Music Release by RHProductions
I have been slowly working on some musical projects lately, and I have a few upcoming concert appearances. I really want to perform live music on a regular basis again, and the next few months should help me regain the wonderful habit of regular performance.
In addition to my musical projects, I have recently begun doing some revision for a script that is being turned into a short film by Five Stones Films. So far it has been an interesting project. More on that as it develops.
In the meantime, I have uploaded a few tracks composed in the late stages of developing Notepad Command.
Notepad Command Extended Music Release by RHProductions
Long Time, No Blog
It has been some time since I last posted here. I certainly did not intend to stop writing upon returning from New Zealand. It was more that I had fewer things worth blogging about. It's difficult to go from an adventure to a bland, familiar kind of normalcy. It was good to see friends upon returning to Saskatoon, for sur. But returning to the place I was excited to leave...well, it didn't exactly leave me inspired to write about my life.
All of the members of my prospective band are now in the same city for the first time, and I'm looking forward to kicking off that project. I have also been musing about a screenplay that I intend to write, though I am currently in the process of doing research for it. As for current musical projects, I will be busy this week rehearsing for the U of S composition recital, and with a friend for Thursday. I will be performing at local bar Amigo's this Thursday with an old friend, Nolto. We're doing three songs as an acoustic hip hop duo. I'm as nervous about how it will go as I am excited to perform. It should be interesting.
All of the members of my prospective band are now in the same city for the first time, and I'm looking forward to kicking off that project. I have also been musing about a screenplay that I intend to write, though I am currently in the process of doing research for it. As for current musical projects, I will be busy this week rehearsing for the U of S composition recital, and with a friend for Thursday. I will be performing at local bar Amigo's this Thursday with an old friend, Nolto. We're doing three songs as an acoustic hip hop duo. I'm as nervous about how it will go as I am excited to perform. It should be interesting.
On Forms
I would like to know what kinds of morons always end up designing employment application forms. Clearly they never take the time to fill them out themselves, simply due to the poorly-spaced sections. In addition, there is no reason to include the address of my past employers. There is not a single prospective employer that is going to show up at all of the places where I used to work, so it's not necessary information. And if anyone were crazy enough to do so, they should be capable of googling it and finding the address themselves. Or perhaps call the number I have to provide, and ask them where they are, if it's that big of a deal.
And yet so many forms require the addresses. Those form designers should all be fired, and I should be hired in their place. But, alas, I would have to navigate through the dense jungle of their idiocy in order to fix their obvious mistakes.
And yet so many forms require the addresses. Those form designers should all be fired, and I should be hired in their place. But, alas, I would have to navigate through the dense jungle of their idiocy in order to fix their obvious mistakes.
Return of the King
I have been home for almost a week now, and I'm delighted that going from summer to prairie winter isn't as terrible as I thought it would be. You can take the man out of the prairie, but...
Anyway, the most noticeable change is that the sun goes down so much earlier. The result of this is that my body shuts down, and I could fall asleep any time between 8 and 9pm, every day. And it's not a time zone thing, either. 9pm here would be 4pm where I've been. It's totally a sun thing, and I look forward to my body adjusting to my new sunlight schedule.
Until recently, I had no desire to look for classical guitar sheet music. But in the last while, I have gone back to some of the material from my last few years of school, and I enjoy it again. It's good to want to keep playing some of that music, before it slips from my memory completely.
Anyway, the most noticeable change is that the sun goes down so much earlier. The result of this is that my body shuts down, and I could fall asleep any time between 8 and 9pm, every day. And it's not a time zone thing, either. 9pm here would be 4pm where I've been. It's totally a sun thing, and I look forward to my body adjusting to my new sunlight schedule.
Until recently, I had no desire to look for classical guitar sheet music. But in the last while, I have gone back to some of the material from my last few years of school, and I enjoy it again. It's good to want to keep playing some of that music, before it slips from my memory completely.
My Last Day in New Zealand
My travels here are coming to an end soon. I leave for Vancouver tomorrow, and I'm already packed to go. I'm really going to miss this place, though I am certain I will be back some day. I would really like to go on tour here some time. I've met a lot of cool people here in Wellington.
Tonight I will be playing my last performance here, at a new open mic event. It's only in its third week, and that's where I'm having my farewell get-together. It seems appropriate to be spending my last evening playing music and hanging out with the open mic crowd.
Tonight I will be playing my last performance here, at a new open mic event. It's only in its third week, and that's where I'm having my farewell get-together. It seems appropriate to be spending my last evening playing music and hanging out with the open mic crowd.
Kaikoura
I've been in Kaikoura for the past two days. It's a tourist town on the east coast of the south island, known for whale-watching, dolphin-swimming, and great scenery. Unfortunately, the weather has been shite, and it rained for most of yesterday. However, I stayed at my friend Ayça's place, and worked on some writing projects all day. It was actually quite productive. I also played at a local bar last evening, which was a lot of fun.
Today I walked down to a seal colony, and got amazingly close to some seals. The scenery was amazing, despite the dull weather, and the rain stopped long enough for me to walk there and back home. It's been a great trip. I definitely plan to see more of the country when I am next in New Zealand.
Today I walked down to a seal colony, and got amazingly close to some seals. The scenery was amazing, despite the dull weather, and the rain stopped long enough for me to walk there and back home. It's been a great trip. I definitely plan to see more of the country when I am next in New Zealand.
Two Weeks Left
With my departure two weeks from tomorrow, I have been trying to fill up my schedule with as many awesome things as possible. Tomorrow I am going on a three-day trip to Kaikoura, to work with another writer to rewrite a few episodes of a web-series that will be shot in Auckland sometime early this year. While I'm there, I've also worked out a gig at a local bar for Thursday night. Upon returning on Saturday, I will be preparing to play on the acoustic stage at the 350 Birdman Competition on Sunday.
Tonight, though, I have to pack for my trip and go to a new open mic event at Meow here in Wellington. It's a busy week, but I'm sure it'll be a good one.
Tonight, though, I have to pack for my trip and go to a new open mic event at Meow here in Wellington. It's a busy week, but I'm sure it'll be a good one.
It is important to travel once in a while.
It is such a healthy thing to go somwehere away from home until you miss it. Just once in a while, so that you can remember what you miss about home. Because once you have a little time and distance from it all, you start to forget about the things that didn't matter, or which bothered you. And you realize which things you actually miss about home. You get a clear sign of the things you miss, and the things you don't, and it's amazing for self-reflection. You realize what is was about the things you did that you truly enjoyed.
You also gain exposure to new things when you travel. I have started listening to all kinds of new artists since coming to Wellington. I have spent all week listening to Amanda Palmer's album "Who Killed Amanda Palmer." I also cleaned my iPod. I took off everything, and only put music on it which I have recently acquired, focusing on new artists I want to experience, with a very few classic album exceptions. I added Weezer's Pinkerton, because I use it to induce sleep. Not because it's a boring album, but because I have a Pavlovian association between Pinkerton and sleep.
Since I decided to come home early, I have enjoyed myself more. I have relaxed about the whole financial thing, and really taken the time to do the things that interest me. It has been so amazing. I recommend this interesting TED talk, which explains many of the wonderful things I am experiencing on my holiday in New Zealand.
You also gain exposure to new things when you travel. I have started listening to all kinds of new artists since coming to Wellington. I have spent all week listening to Amanda Palmer's album "Who Killed Amanda Palmer." I also cleaned my iPod. I took off everything, and only put music on it which I have recently acquired, focusing on new artists I want to experience, with a very few classic album exceptions. I added Weezer's Pinkerton, because I use it to induce sleep. Not because it's a boring album, but because I have a Pavlovian association between Pinkerton and sleep.
Since I decided to come home early, I have enjoyed myself more. I have relaxed about the whole financial thing, and really taken the time to do the things that interest me. It has been so amazing. I recommend this interesting TED talk, which explains many of the wonderful things I am experiencing on my holiday in New Zealand.
Mixed News
I have changed my original plan to stay in New Zealand until April. I have decided to return home on February 2nd, for a whole host of reasons. The most pressing reason is that I haven't found a job, and staying til April would leave me in financial ruin. My trip would be tainted, and so far, it's been amazing. If I leave now, it will be an wonderful and much-needed holiday. If I wait it out, it might be the worst decision I've ever made for my finances.
In addition, I am trying to start up a musical project with and old friend, Kristel. (She isn't old, the friendship is.) I'm really excited about it, and since I came to New Zealand to further my musical career, it would be foolish not to come home for an opportunity like this one. And the opportunity wouldn't have happened if I had stayed at home. I needed this trip more than I ever could have imagined. I will never forget this place.
So I now have about 4 weeks to enjoy what I can here in New Zealand. I hope to do a trip to the south island sometime soon. With the money I'll save leaving early, I can actually do things here, and enjoy the time that I have left.
It was saddening to actually change my flight, but I know that it's the right decision, for so many reasons.
In addition, I am trying to start up a musical project with and old friend, Kristel. (She isn't old, the friendship is.) I'm really excited about it, and since I came to New Zealand to further my musical career, it would be foolish not to come home for an opportunity like this one. And the opportunity wouldn't have happened if I had stayed at home. I needed this trip more than I ever could have imagined. I will never forget this place.
So I now have about 4 weeks to enjoy what I can here in New Zealand. I hope to do a trip to the south island sometime soon. With the money I'll save leaving early, I can actually do things here, and enjoy the time that I have left.
It was saddening to actually change my flight, but I know that it's the right decision, for so many reasons.
Welcome, 2011.
I spent New Year's Eve busking around downtown Wellington. There were a lot of buskers out there, and most of them had amplifiers. This left my friend, Tamau, and me at a great disadvantage. It was not as wildly profitable as I had hoped, but it was still a lot of fun.
Due to the fact that I have not found employment, I might be returning to Canada sooner than I had planned. As much as I would like to stay here for longer, if I do have to head home early, I won't be sad about my trip. It has been exactly what I needed it to be, and much more. The fact that I haven't been working has actually been one of the best parts of this trip. I had no idea how badly I needed to unwind until I had the time to do so. And the repeated job searches have led me to a bunch of opportunities that I would otherwise have missed out on, including the chance to help rewrite scripts for a comedy that's going to be shot in Auckland sometime early this year. I have always been interested in screenwriting, and now I have gotten a start. I like scripts. I would never have known that if I had found a job right away.
I've written a fair bit of music, and had time to reflect on the shortcomings of my songwriting. I have met some great people, and had a blast here. I have no regrets about what has happened so far. Don't get me wrong, if I found a job tomorrow, I'd be ecstatic. But if I have to go home early with the experiences that I have had here so far, this trip will still have been a bigger success than I was hoping for.
Due to the fact that I have not found employment, I might be returning to Canada sooner than I had planned. As much as I would like to stay here for longer, if I do have to head home early, I won't be sad about my trip. It has been exactly what I needed it to be, and much more. The fact that I haven't been working has actually been one of the best parts of this trip. I had no idea how badly I needed to unwind until I had the time to do so. And the repeated job searches have led me to a bunch of opportunities that I would otherwise have missed out on, including the chance to help rewrite scripts for a comedy that's going to be shot in Auckland sometime early this year. I have always been interested in screenwriting, and now I have gotten a start. I like scripts. I would never have known that if I had found a job right away.
I've written a fair bit of music, and had time to reflect on the shortcomings of my songwriting. I have met some great people, and had a blast here. I have no regrets about what has happened so far. Don't get me wrong, if I found a job tomorrow, I'd be ecstatic. But if I have to go home early with the experiences that I have had here so far, this trip will still have been a bigger success than I was hoping for.
Christmas
In Canada, if you're bad, you get a lump of coal. In New Zealand, you get a sunburn. I burned my face pretty badly Christmas day, and now it looks like my face is falling apart.
But it was still a fun Christmas. I went to my friend Tamau's family gathering in Petone, a suburb just north of Wellington. He showed me around the area, including along the river, where I got most of my sun damage. The meal was fantastic, and was sort of a barbeque, because it was outside in the sun.
It's just me and the cat at the house now, because my other flatmates have gone their own ways for Christmas til the new year. It's been nice and quiet. I look forward to days of quiet practice while I wait for new skin to arrive.
But it was still a fun Christmas. I went to my friend Tamau's family gathering in Petone, a suburb just north of Wellington. He showed me around the area, including along the river, where I got most of my sun damage. The meal was fantastic, and was sort of a barbeque, because it was outside in the sun.
It's just me and the cat at the house now, because my other flatmates have gone their own ways for Christmas til the new year. It's been nice and quiet. I look forward to days of quiet practice while I wait for new skin to arrive.
Busking vs Marathon
Except for the fact that they are the exact opposite, running a marathon and busking all night are quite similar activities. There are lots of people clumped together at the beginning, and they thin out at the end. Not all people make it to the end. In a marathon, you run past the audience; busking, they run past you. But the visuals are the same. I suspect that you see more drunken audience members while busking than you would at a marathon. I've never had any desire to "attend" a marathon.
Toward the end of busking, your fingers are tired and sore, so you take longer breaks. But then a group of people will come by and encourage you to play a song. It's like cheering you on to the end. You want to quit, but you have to keep going.
It's a really good way to force myself to play a lot. I don't have to be playing terribly difficult stuff. Just as long as I'm playing. I find it much easier to avoid distractions on Cuba Street than in my room where I normally practice. Plus, you get paid to practice. How cool is that?
Toward the end of busking, your fingers are tired and sore, so you take longer breaks. But then a group of people will come by and encourage you to play a song. It's like cheering you on to the end. You want to quit, but you have to keep going.
It's a really good way to force myself to play a lot. I don't have to be playing terribly difficult stuff. Just as long as I'm playing. I find it much easier to avoid distractions on Cuba Street than in my room where I normally practice. Plus, you get paid to practice. How cool is that?
Sabbatical is the greatest thing in the universe.
I have begun to experience just how profoundly relieving a sabbatical period can be. To simply have the calendar free is wonderful. Nothing looms over you. There is no "but I have to go to work later," or things you should be doing because you have projects or assignments due soon. I take things on of my own choosing, and it's a wonderful feeling. I highly recommend finding a way to afford some time for sabbatical.
I've been working on quite a few different projects since I got here. I have my weekly open mic nights, which I prepare 6 or 7 songs for every week, although it's usually polishing up songs I already know. I have started to learn songs from my #1 hits list, to have more songs with mass appeal, for busking. I have been working with another writer to rewrite 6 episodes of a comedy that will be shot in Auckland early next year. I have also been trying to plan some concerts and a tour for when I get back to Saskatoon in April or May. I have a bunch of guitar compositions on the go, as well as a handful of songs. I have also found my first guitar student for early January.
And nobody told me I had to do any of these projects. They are my own. And that is the fundamental difference between sabbatical and work or school.
I've been working on quite a few different projects since I got here. I have my weekly open mic nights, which I prepare 6 or 7 songs for every week, although it's usually polishing up songs I already know. I have started to learn songs from my #1 hits list, to have more songs with mass appeal, for busking. I have been working with another writer to rewrite 6 episodes of a comedy that will be shot in Auckland early next year. I have also been trying to plan some concerts and a tour for when I get back to Saskatoon in April or May. I have a bunch of guitar compositions on the go, as well as a handful of songs. I have also found my first guitar student for early January.
And nobody told me I had to do any of these projects. They are my own. And that is the fundamental difference between sabbatical and work or school.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)