Hello, twats.

Well the job hunt continues as Toronto gets colder and colder. I can’t quite remember what I wrote in my last post and, as per usual, I am too lazy to go back and check. So if I repeat anything, apologies.

Made a few great purchases last week…

One of my favorite artists. A departure from her usual sound but a great album nonetheless. This album seems to be getting a lot of mainstream attention, which is good. Because now when people ask me who my favorite artist is and I say “Kathleen Edwards” they’ll know who the fuck I’m talking about. Favorite track at the moment: A Soft Place To Land

My future wife, Norah Jones, revived The Little Willies and have put together an album of outstanding country covers. This album makes me want to be a better musician, mostly because it makes me realize what a shitty musician I actually am. Really recommend this one. Favorite track at the moment: I Worship You

I’ve been meaning to start reading again. I don’t read a lot and the books I do read I tend to just read them over and over. I used to try to get into books all the time but found myself getting five chapters in than forgetting about it. The last book I read was Karl Pilkington’s travel diaries from An Idiot Abroad. Karl Pilkington is probably my favorite author, hilarious. One book I’ve read at least seven times is Sideways by Rex Pickett, this novel from the one time author is the basis for the movie of the same name. I was so disappointed to realize he only had written one novel back in the day when I first bought this book.

Anyway I finally found a book online I was interested in picking up. Justified is one of my favorite shows at the moment (and it should be yours too) and it’s based on a short story compilation called Fire In The Hole by Elmore Leonard (he also wrote Get Shorty). Anyway he just released a new book called Raylan, all based around the character in Justified. So this was a pretty easy decision. But when I arrived at Chapters, I forgot that since it is new it’s only available in hardcover so I had to pass.

Oh, but wait a minute…

I thought for sure I was seeing things. But did I luck out or what? The one time author is now a two time author, not only that but he’s written a SEQUEL to my favorite book. I’m about four chapters in and NOT bored. It’s nice to see these characters again and I’m trying to take the reading a bit slow so I don’t rush through it. Hopefully by the time I’m done this novel, Raylan will be in paperback or Pilkington will release another book of nonsense.

This brings me to something I’d love to hear some feedback on in the comments. Buying hardcopies over downloads.

I’m of the opinion that I still enjoy having the physical object in my hands. If it’s an artist I absolutely love (Kathleen Edwards, Norah Jones, U2, Diana Krall, Elvis Costello, The Swell Season) I will make it to HMV and buy the physical CD. If it’s some new artist that I just like a few songs off their album or someone I don’t necessarily want to support, download it is!

The book thing is similar but different. I would much rather have the book in my hands but this is more about comfort for me. I know the e-readers are extremely popular now, and after examining my friends’ Kobo I agree they’re pretty damned convenient and the screen doesn’t burn your retinas. At the same time though I think there’s something in having to turn the pages and show off to the world what you’re reading. I don’t think I could get used to the idea of swiping a screen or pressing a button to turn pages in a book. As of now I’m still trying to get used to the touchscreen on my new phone. (HTC Raider, in case you were wondering)

Oh, by the way I also carry around my pay as you go UK phone as a decoy. A-ha! Try to get me now friendly muggers!

Thoughts? Do you still buy CDs and books? Or do you keep everything digital now?

The Station Agents had another get together Saturday afternoon. I made sure to go to the gym beforehand to sweat out my hang over, whereas Mike showed up looking like death munching on McDonalds. Ha. The songs are coming along, and we’re hoping to have a goal gig to start working towards to tighten up the material faster. Details on that to come.

Also, we are STILL in the search for a bassist. So Toronto, the music is simple, if you know basic guitar you can keep up on the bass. We only practice once a week and all of us have lives outside of the band we’re not hardcore go-getters. This is more of a hobby, we’re a group of guys who just love to play music but don’t necessarily want to make a career out of it. Email me if you’re interested in giving it a go.

Had a wonderful dream last night. Do you ever have a great dream where you dread waking up and realizing it wasn’t real? The worst is when that dream is not so far fetched that it could’ve been a reality. Such a pity. On the flipside though, it gave me an idea for a short or one-act play. There’s a writing competition deadline coming up so I’m thinking I now have the story I want to tell.

Blah blah blah boring boring boring.

I’m told yogurt is good for you. So I’m forcing it down my throat right now. I fucking hate yogurt.

I don’t believe I’ve shared this anecdote, so here you go…

When I was very young my mother, her friend and I made a trip to Seattle. I think…I think it was Seattle…anyway we went to Seattle so they could shop and we could visit family. At the time I loved yogurt, couldn’t get enough of the slime. On our way to one of the big shopping centers we stopped off at a convenient store where I found Root Beer Yogurt.

I thought this was it. Combining my favorite soft drink with my favorite snack? What could possibly go wrong?

Well I puked. And I puked. And I puked. Walked around with a shopping bag around my head for the rest of the day. And until last year I had never eaten yogurt since. I would just lie and tell people I was allergic. But the truth is, everytime I see or smell yogurt I get this flashback to the rancid Root Beer flavored goop from way back when. If I ever meet the man who decided to make a soft drink flavored yogurt, I’ll punch him in the face and make him eat rice pudding made with Roseanne Barr’s breast milk.

Cheers!

- B.