Update on the concerts

It's funny how fast time goes by when you are busy with life. I have a lot to catch up on, so I will post a few items to get my thoughts and recollections on the record.

Friday: Joel Plaskett concert

Philson and I took our time getting to the show because we weren't too excited to see Jenn Grant, the opening act, plus it had rained heavily all day and we weren't sure watching the show would be all that fun, standing in pouring rain. As it turned out, it stopped raining so we headed down to the Dartmouth Landing.

Unfortunately, we missed almost the entire set of Peter Elkas and his band. We only caught the last song for that set (which was really good) and then waited for over half an hour for Joel Plaskett to come on. The two opening acts must have only been on for less than 30 minutes each, because we weren't that late. Joel and his band put on a great show, with Peter Elkas helping out on the keyboard and guitar for some songs and Gordie Johnson (the producer of Joel's latest album), looking cool in black and a cowboy hat, added to the show by playing rhythm guitar.

The Emergency played almost all of the songs from the new album Ashtray Rock, which is good because it is full of good songs and it is a concept album, so to fully present the concept you kind of need to play at least most of the songs. They also played Bo Diddley's song near the end of the show (as they did last summer at the show for the Lunenburg Exhibition that Cheryl and I attended); I think Joel was really moved by his meeting Bo Diddley a while back. They slowly turned the Bo Diddley song into a tribute to the deceased Bob Switzer who owned Taz Records in Halifax. "Hey Bob Switzer" fits in nicely instead of "Hey Bo Diddley". They also played a Big Sugar tune, which was cool since that was Gordie Johnson's band, and finished the night with "Come On Teacher" and "True Patriot Love", two earlier hits for The Emergency. Overall, great show on an open-air stage and the weather held off just for the show, which was lucky for us.

I will post my thoughts on the other concerts in their own messages.

Three concerts and a wedding (with a concert)

Wow. I am going to see three concerts in four days. First up, Philson and I are going to Dartmouth's Alderney Landing Theatre to see Joel Plaskett Emergency with openers: Peter Elkas and the Elkaholics (great name!) whom I read about in Exclaim! -- I picked up the magazine for Joel and learned about Peter too. Check out his website!, local Jenn Grant, and ex-Big Sugar's Gordie Johnson. What a start!

After my eardrums recover from that, Cheryl and I are attending Dave and Jenn Finlayson's wedding reception. They got married today, but Saturday is the big bash at Pier 21. They are having a local band named Big Fish who are a favourite of Sigs since they performed at a few Sweetheart dances (sorry, I can't call them Sweetheart Balls). They mostly do cover tunes but they mix it up and put their own stank on them!

On Sunday, Cheryl and I are going to the Halifax Metro Centre to see Burton Cummings and Randy Bachman, the two creative forces behind The Guess Who and BTO. We have floor seats in the "Gold Circle." Oooooh! I saw these guys at the Sarsfest concert on TV a few years back. At that time, I thought, "I should really go see these guys if I ever get the chance." Originally, I was planning to head up to Toronto on Sunday night to see the next concert, but it was almost $400 cheaper to fly up on Monday, so I decided to do that and spend part of the money I saved on these concert tickets for Cheryl and myself. I am looking forward to this show because I hope they talk about their inspirations behind writing the songs that they perform.

Monday morning sees Philson and me jetting off to T-Dot to see The Police!!! This was one band that I never even thought about going to see since they had already broken up by the time I was of concert-going age, not to mention the fact that they never came close to Halifax. Now that I am older and have discretionary income, I have taken the opportunity to see one of my all-time favourite bands perform live (perform live -- is that redundant?). As I mentioned to a friend a few weeks back, this concert will be better than most since The Police broke up when they were at their best, with only strong material behind them, no unfortunate creative lapses or disappointing albums here, so the songs should all be fantastic.

Philson and I will be in T.O. until Wednesday. On Tuesday, we are going to see a Blue Jays game and I am going to the Skydome Hard Rock Cafe to add another shot glass to my collection. We have no other plans for the 48 hours we are there, but I am sure some adventure will present itself.

Originally, Alistair was supposed to attend the show with Dave Dawood, Dean and me, but Alistair got double-booked by work and I took the opportunity to bring my oldest son to see a band that I am not sure he really likes, but it is the chance of a lifetime. Alistair's loss is Philson's gain, although Alistair has the chance to see The Police elsewhere and I hope he does. Plus, I think Alistair likes the idea that Philson is getting this chance and that he was part of it.

So four concerts and a wedding reception! I think I will be tired next week...

In Memory of Ruth Bernard

My mother-in-law Ruth passed away suddenly on Saturday, June 16, 2007. While she had been diagnosed with leukemia last year, she had undergone treatment and had made it through the initial period of time after diagnosis.

On Saturday, she told her husband Joe (Cheryl's Dad) that she wasn't feeling well. Joe took Ruth to the hospital and she passed away that morning.

Ruth always had a kind word and a smile for everyone in her life. She was also tough, much tougher than I would probably be, given the same circumstances. I think she would like to be remembered as a mother and grandmother who loved her family more than anything in the world.

Here is the text of the last e-mail she sent to us, on May 29, 2007. It is particularly moving, considering the short time she had left with us after she sent the e-mail out.

"Let's see if you read your mail.

What would you do if every time you wanted someone they would never be there?

What would you do if for every moment you were truly happy there would be 10 moments of sadness?

What would you do if your best friend died tomorrow and you never got to tell them how you felt?

So, I just wanted to say, even if I never talk to you again in my life, you are special to me and you have made a difference in my life.

I look up to you, respect you, and truly cherish you.

Send this to all your friends, no matter how often you talk, or how close you are, and send it to the person who sent it to you.

Let old friends know you haven't forgotten them, and tell new friends you never will.

Remember, everyone needs a friend, someday you might feel like you have NO FRIENDS at all, just remember this e-mail and take comfort in knowing that somebody out there cares about you and always will.

In times of trouble,
In times of need,
If you are feeling SAD,
You can count on me.

I will give you a wink,
Until you smile,
Give you are hug,
And stand by your side.

I'll be there for you till the end,
I'll always and forever, be your friend!"

We love you and we miss you, Ruth.

Snakes & Arrows

Just thought I'd write a quick note about the new Rush album, Snakes & Arrows. After hearing the first single, "Far Cry" on the radio, I wasn't sure if I would buy the album when it came out, but then the Rush completist fan in me prevailed, and here we are (plus the $11.99 price helped in the decision-making process).

The album is better than I thought it might be, but not as good as I hoped it would be. It has 13 songs; most of them sound similar to one another, although the 2 instrumentals are kind of neat (I wish one of them had been a drum instrumental instead).

The coolest part about the album is the artwork in the liner notes, which is not a great compliment. I guess I like the album overall, but I stand by my earlier comment that I made to my brother-in-law and sister-in-law (both Rush fans, she is actually nicknamed The Rush Goddess) that the album probably didn't need to be made. Snakes & Arrows sounds a lot like Rush's last few albums, which have been fairly ho-hum. This is too bad, considering their first decade was amazing, their second decade was good with a few so-so moments, while their third decade has been largely disappointing (to me).

OK, I'll say this much: At least there are no lyrics like the song Virtuality (on the album Test For Echo). Good music on that album, uninspired lyrics -- sorry Neil. That chorus of that song is second only to the rapping on Roll The Bones as Rush's Worst Moment Ever for me (and I like rap, I just think that middle-aged white Canadian guys shouldn't do it).

I'm going to give Snakes & Arrows a 6.5 out of 10, which is a solid C. I wish I could give them a higher mark, but they didn't show their work. (Math class joke for you out there) ;-)

On a brighter note, I also purchased a photograph print retrospective that was autographed by Neil Peart. I am lookng forward to receiving it and putting it up on the wall.

Rock on!

Same Sex Marriage

Here is a new article on a very serious matter facing the Anglican Church.

It appears that this response will anger those who are on polar opposite sides of the debate. The bishops either (a) went too far in recognizing same-sex relationships or (b) didn't go far enough in recognizing same sex relationships.

To me, the response seems right. No one should be excluded from taking communion, nor should any child be declined baptism simply because of their parents' relationship: gay, straight, married, divorced, whatever. The fact is that we are all God's children and we all deserve the relationship with Him. On the other hand, it is fairly clear in Scripture that marriage is for a man and a woman and one of the primary purposes of marriage is to have children. Therefore, same-sex marriage is not Scriptural.

I think the main purpose of marriage is for two people to become one and build each other and help each other become more Christ-like, better people. Having children is an excellent way for parents to join together, because sooner or later, your kids will outnumber you! ;-)

Seriously though, anyone who has children recognizes (or should recognize) that they are a blessing to parents. It is normal and preferable to have children, and it helps one to achieve self-actualization. Someone who has no children cannot fully understand the concepts of sacrifice and altruism. There is a deep-seated pull to give of yourself for your kids that is unlike any other relationship. This also gives one a better understanding of God's relationship with us as our father in heaven. How much did He sacrifice to give His son to us, so that we might live in eternity with Him? How much did He suffer, to give Jesus up to suffer for our sakes?

Jesus is the type for us. He is the best example of how we, who are created in God's image, all have the capacity to become like Christ, to reflect God's image, to love God and to love one another as Jesus commanded in Matthew 22:36-40 (NKJV):

"Teacher, which is the great commandment in the law?" Jesus said to him, "'You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.' This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets."

It is the very reason that we should all strive to be more like Christ that no one should be denied communion simply because of their sexual orientation. None of us is perfect, we all fall short in the Judgment, even bishops! Yet it is because of God's grace and our relationship with Him that we can be saved. It is not our place to judge others:

John 8:7 (NKJV) - So when they continued asking Him, He raised Himself up and said to them, "He who is without sin among you, let him throw a stone at her first."

Matthew 7:1 (NIV) - Do not judge, or you too will be judged.


All of us sin. All of us need forgiveness. All of us deserve a relationship with God. But all of us must live in a manner that is in accordance with how God wants us to live, and that is without sin. All of us must all try every day to become more like Christ. I pray that all of us are given the strength to do so. Amen.

The Last 20 Years!

1987
1. How old were you? 17
2. Where did you go to school? Cole Harbour District High School
3.) Where did you work? Kempton Appraisals Limited
4.) Where did you live? With my parents and sister in Seaforth
5.) Where did you hang out? Home, Richard Saurette's house, rugby field, Burger King
6.) Did you wear glasses? No
7.) Who was your best friend? Richard Saurette
8.) How many tattoos did you have? None
9.) How many piercings did you have? None
10.) What car did you drive? 1981 Chev Malibu
11.) Had you been to a real party yet? Yes
12.) Had your heart broken? No
13.) Single/Taken/Married/Divorced/Bitter: Single

1992
1.) How old were you? 22
2.) Where did you go to school? Saint Mary's University, graduated with B.Comm.
3.) Where did you work? Kempton Appraisals Limited
4.) Where did you live? Halifax, Sigma Chi Fraternity house on South Street
5.) Where did you hang out? Sigma Chi house
7.) Who were your best friends? Alistair Croll
8.) Who was your crush? My girlfriend at the time
9.) How many tattoos did you have? None
10.) How many piercings did you have? None
11.) What car did you drive? 1991 Plymouth Laser
12.) Had you had your heart broken? Broken heart from not seeing my son every day after the divorce
13.) Single/Taken/Married/Divorced/Bitter? Divorced and I'll admit to being bitter

1997
1.) How old were you? 27
2.) Where did you go to school? Associate of Insurance Institute program
3.) Where did you work? Kempton Appraisals (I sense a trend)
4.) Where did you live? A condo in Dartmouth, the first place I bought
5.) Where did you hang out? My house, Sigma Chi house
7.) Who was your best friend? Alistair Croll
8.) Who was your crush? Married again at that point
9.) How many tattoos did you have? None
10.) How many piercings did you have? None
11) What car did you drive? Still the Laser
12.) Had your heart been broken this year? No
13.) Single/Taken/Married/Divorced/Bitter? Married

2002
1.) How old were you? 32
2.) Where did you go to school? Was working on my AACI appraisal designation
3.) Where did you work? OK, OK I've only worked at one place, all right?!?
4.) Where did you live? Jeep Crescent in Eastern Passage
5.) Where did you hang out? My house, Cheryl's house on Caldwell Road
7.) Who was your best friend? Cheryl Atwell
8.) Who was your crush? Cheryl Atwell
9.) How many tattoos did you have? One
10.) How many piercings did you have? None
11) What car did you drive? 98 VW Golf
12.) Had your heart been broken this year? Hmmmm
13.) Single/Taken/Married/Divorced/Bitter? Taken

2007
1.) How old are you? 37
3.) Where do you live? Violette Court in Cow Bay, we built it last year
4.) Do you wear glasses? Only for distance, when I think of wearing them
5.) Who is your best friend? My wife Cheryl
6.) Do you talk to your old friends? I try to make the time to call them
7.) How many piercings do you have? Still none, no plans to do so
8.) How many tattoos? Still one, no plans to add any more
9.) What kind of car do you drive? 2003 Hyundai Santa Fe
10.) Has your heart been broken this year? Nope, no plans for that either
11.) Single/Taken/Married/Divorced/Bitter: Married to my best friend, we have 5 kids, life is good!

Ron Burgundy Anchorman 300

This video is just awesome.