coincidence

In a weird coincidence, I ran into Ron Sexsmith on the third floor of Casa Loma last night.

Turns out not so weird once I learned that he, like me, was there to play for the Conservatory's Mozart Unlaced gala. I was too surprised to say anything other than hi.

The event was a little silly- lots of people with money not listening to the best students at the Con playing and singing at various places in the castle. They didn't pay much attention to Sexsmith, either. But there was a chocolate fountain loaded with 20 pounds of chocolate (I asked) and a scotch tasting bar with some nice 10 and 15 year scotches, which made up for it.

Song of the week (I kinda lapsed after the first, I dunno, one, but here's number 2): Gold in them hills by Ron Sexsmith (link opens up the music video. I'm not crazy about the video, or this version of the song, really- just imagine it with only guitar. And listen to the words...)

Doctor Who

Daleks vs. Cybermen.

Wow.

Ron Sexsmith waved goodnight to me.

Tonight we went to see our friend Mike Evin's EP release party. His new disc is a set of love songs, and very awesome. It was a good show, a mix of Mike solo, with his girlfriend Sarah, and the full band. Two of the guys who played in the band are also in Ron Sexsmith's band, so he showed up to hear the show, too.

We ended up sitting with the guy who tunes Mike's piano. He's blind, so after the show I led him over to where Mike was chatting with people so they could chat. Mark, the tuner, started talking with the drummer, Don Kerr, also the producer for Mike's album, also Ron Sexsmith's drummer.

A few minutes later Capella and I decided it was time to go home, so we went and got our coats on. On the way to the door, Capella stopped to say goodnight to Sarah. I was a few feet away and wanted to save a little time on our way out, so I waved goodnight. But Sarah was standing directly in front of Sexsmith and Don, who returned my wave, as did Ron Sexsmith.

Embarrassing and exciting, all rolled into one.

Ron Sexsmith waved goodnight to me.

Revolutionary

We went out to a movie Saturday night. It was an Australian film, part of a weekend of films from down under. It was called Kenny, about a guy who works for a portable toilet company. A bit Chrsitopher Guest... If you get a chance to see it, go.

On the bus ride home the route makes a left turn. There was a car that had stopped past the stop line, making it difficult for the bus driver to make his turn. He stopped and stuck his head out the window to educate the driver on the rules of the road. I couldn't hear the driver, but the conversation ended with the bus driver saying, "Bite me!"

This story could've happened anywhere in the world. I've seen it in Boston many times. But in Toronto the story ends with the bus driver apologizing to the riders by saying, "Sorry about that. People get a license and they think they're God." [If you read this story out loud to anyone, sorry should be pronounced 'sore-ee'.]

Another bus story: last week Capella and I were waiting for a bus at the depot. It was cold, and there was a bus sitting at the far end, its driver twiddling his thumbs. On the digital sign at the front of the bus, the route number and name alternated with the word "REVOLUTIONARY." Another bus pulled in, and the driver took pity on us and waved us on so we could come out of the cold. We asked him about the other bus's sign, and he explained that the electronic signs come with a few preset words and phrases. Apparently some of the drivers like to have random phrases flash on the signs when they drive.

On vacation & sick

Always works that way, doesn't it?