Something Ends, Something Begins

The end of winter is finally upon us.  This week was my last game of indoor co-ed soccer with my team Pixie Caribou.  Weather is finally getting sunny and i hope the snow is finally finished..

It was a hard fought campaign, i don't think we won a single game and i think we may have had one draw.  But that's not why we play. Exercise and camaraderie is what indoor co-ed footy is all about.

As always, the end of the season is sad. But it always ushers in the spring.  As something Ends, Something Begins.

Sports will do wonders for burning off pent up frustrations, the endorphin release of intense exercise and the 'team' element always helps social side of things. There's a great sense of belonging. It's finished for this season - i need something to fill the void.


With two close friends, a 9 song writing expedition has commenced.  Four songs from a demo recorded over the last 2 years has now grown into a full album.

There's a different type of synergy.  Its very pure when you get in sync with others with music.

Something spiritual.

It's even more inspiring when you wake up in the morning with a tune you helped craft stuck in your head.

With this new chapter being written, i look forward to this project. It is a great combination of song ideas, form and direction.  7 of the 9 songs have been charted out and we're on the verge of tracking





 

Sound City

Just watched the riveting documentary "Sound City" by David Grohl.  It was the story of the Neve console - one of four built by Rupert Neve  - an engineering genius. He took extreme lengths to get things like the DC current flowing through gates to precise levels.   The outcome - a truly unique recorded sound.

Sound City bought one of only a few Neve consoles back in the late 70's in a effort to attract recording artists.  They bet the farm on this venture and came out on top.

The first track ever laid down was an unknown duo by the names of Stevie Nicks and Lindsey Buckhingham.  The story from there just takes off when Mic Fleetwood has a chance encounter with the owner of Sound City at a local shop.  He goes in to check out the studio and asks to hear a sample.  The only thing they have on tape is Nicks and Buckingham.  That chance recording is what leads to Nicks and Buckhingham to become part of FleetWood Mac.

After that the rest is history - as smash hit albums after smash hit albums over 4 decades were recorded there.  Sadly the Digital Age of the 80s would eventually be the demise of Sound City in 2011.

David Grohl - who recorded all his drums in Sound City for the historychanging album Nevermind with Nirvana had such an affinity for the Neve console - he was able to buy the the famed piece of machinery and build his own studio around it.   

This story of Sound City Studio and its Neve console is Dave's story.  Written and directed by Dave himself.   It is a passionate and very personal tale.

Here's my theory.  Ownership may have changed - but the greed to make money will always exist.  I wouldn't be surprised that MLSE thinks that if they go all in - they may get 2 or more playoff rounds.  

This would equate to millions in revenue with 4+ home games not to mention the fevered pitch of bandwagon jumpers buying up Kadri and Luopol jerseys.

Adding a veteran goal tender would surely help this cause.  

I think we may be replaying shades of 93 when the Leafs were technically in a rebuild state but surprised everyone by running the gauntlet only to loose out against the infamous Gretzky high stick on Gilmour (. Leafs 93 Playoff Summary )

Yes the Leafs have gotten better and our chances greatly improved - but we are still a few key pieces away from CUP contender status. But this seems eerily similar to 93.

If ownership knows its history - than one could surmise that its a fairly safe bet to try and load up for a playoff run with this team finally starting to gel.  The core of this group is relatively in tact next year so the gambling risk isn't high to add a piece or two for this playoff push.

With the mentality of "LA did it - all we need is to make 8th and we have a chance... but we're actually in 6th with possible home ice...."  I could believe ownership is pushing to recoup half a season of losses due to the strike by trying to not win the cup - but go a round or two or three and CASH IN BABY.  Its a win win for them.  

I think this will be the year for Google Plus (+).  At least for me. I haven't 'tried' to make it work like have in the past. By that I mean i've taken the approach of not trying to make it Facebook or Twitter.  I just started to use it as it is and I have to say I really enjoy the user experience.

Facebook i've resigned is primarily for family and close friends.  I'll never convince them to change over so I've stop trying.  It is what it is.  I did however purge a ton of contacts and widdled it down to just my close friends and family. Primarily a place to share pics of the kids for relatives that want to keep tabs.  Also - my friends that won't jump ship - its my only form of communication via the internet - who uses email anymore?

Twitter i still use - but i've noticed now - i'm not addicted to it as i was last year.  As Twitter has gotten more acceptable in my neck of the woods - i've found its become more spammy.  Again - I've wiped out a lot of people i followed as most of them have learned how to use hashtags.  So for the 'subjects' i'm interested i search via hashtag.  Only the musing's of people i enjoy are now only on my follow.  Keeps the timeline nice and tidy.

So Google Plus - is now my go to social app. Here's why - Google Plus does communities really really well.  There seems to be a very positive vibe and a lot of cautious and carefully thought out posts. I think people are this way because they don't want this platform to be bogged down with mental diarrhea spilled out into their timelines.

The communities are also a great way to mine information. I view them as BBS Lite.  Forums that allow you to post links and videos and engage in conversation like formats without trying.

Google Plus - the 'feel good' social media platform.  Try it. Once you figure out what it does for 'you', you'll see where i'm coming from.

Poor Young Things Return

LU Outpost saw the return of Thunder Bay’s prodigal sons – The Poor Young Things.  Perhaps a rougher and  grittier Poor Young Things.  PYT you see moved to Toronto a while back. They immersed themselves in the Toronto music scene and their latest collection of songs due out in the very near future capture the essence of their surroundings.

Take your pick - the lyrical commentary of big city life, the comforting guitar melodies a mongst a soundscape of raw distorted chordings, or the harmony laden anthem like choruses – PYT showed they've evolved and matured in their musicianship and song writing. Their songs have a bit more drive, edge and power to them - no doubt attributed to their big city influences.

Poor Young Things dedication to their music showed as they put in an inspired performance to the allegiance of fans that filed into the Outpost.  Their new found energy was quite evident in their enthusiasm as the guys left no part of the stage untouched.  Putting it all out there – every song rode a wave of honesty and authenticity.  What was a vacant dance floor moments before PYT hit the stage – was turned into a frenzied surf of fans, friends and family. 

Poor Young Things have been working with acclaimed producer Jon Drew (The Arkells, Alexisonfire, Tokyo Police Club, Stars,).   Their new album release date is to be announced in the very near future. They have also just released their latest video - Let It Sleep.



PYT will be cris-crossing the country again on another  tour.  They'll be back in Thunder Bay in December.  

Avocado by the Spoonful

I like to eat avocado.  The taste on its own is only mildly aquired. But the health benefits are excellent!

• helps with the eyes
• lots of fibre
• helps lower cholesteral
• lots of potassium (more than banana)
• Rich in Vitamin B, E and K
• lowers LDL

A quick search online will yield lots of great information about this great lunch dessert replacement.

Preparation:

• Purchase from grocery store/fruits stand
• place in bowl and allow to ripen to the point where fruit is soft to the touch
• pit the fruit by cutting one continuous line without trying to cut through the pit
• pull the to halves apart and the pit should easily come out
• use spoon to scoop out and eat!

Enjoy!

Use a Pre-Paid Visa to shop Google Play Store Instead of your Actual Credit Card

If you're looking for a secure way to buys apps, music, books movies online with your Android Nexus, Galaxy or anything else that uses Google Play Store, the best method to ensure your credit card doesn't get compromised is to buy a pre paid Visa Gifcard at your local grocery store.

Just a few quick things you'll need to do first before purchasing anything in Google Play Store or any online store for that matter:

•Make sure you login to the gift card's website and register your card with your full

•You will need to add your mailing address so that vendors can complete a transaction. If you don't - it will most likely be decilined as it appears it does not beolong to anyone.   This also helps with online stores that will deliver an actual product

•While not necessary - you can also attach your gift credit card to your google wallet.  Login to www.google.com/wallet  and sign in with your google account - assuming its the same one you used to register any tablet/phone devices.  Doing this allows almost seemless shopping in the Google Play Store.

Now your ready to grab that mp3 song you had Shazaam figure out,  and get reading in the digital age pouring over the electronic pages of  classics like Treasure Island!

Most importantly - if your gift credit card gets compromised - you are only out the cost of the card itself.

***SideBar -  use up your credit as quickly as possible as the card deducts a service fee each month until it gets to a $0.00 balance. A small price to pay for some added extra online financial security!