the city of bridges

Every once in a while I get a hankering to return to the city of my birth. It's not a big city, but it's friendly, down to earth and real. It's a town with a nice, easy, warm vibe.

Something draws me back here ... if I don't drop by every once in a while, I get a yearning to return. Maybe there is something comforting about revisiting one's childhood.

Returning to my youth, I visit my old neighbourhoods ... Main Street & Broadway, Greystone Heights, Eastview ... I stop by to see old landmarks of my childhood, like Alvin Buckwold Elementary School, The Tube I used to walk through to get to school when we lived at 103 Spinks Drive, The little strip mall where I got my Pixie Sticks and competed in spinning top competitions.

A walk through Kinsmen Park invokes memories of warm memories of my dad and me; and I try to envision the type of life my parents lead living here so many years ago.

Purely by chance, the radio station as we drive around in the rental car is playing oldies from my childhood on "The Sunday Sock Hop" ... it's funny how some songs take us right back to where we were long ago ... for me: Green Tambourine / Itchycoo Park / Happy Together / Spooky / Little Green Bag / San Francisco ... these songs invoke memories of childhood ... of my first crush ... of childhood innocence ... my first memories of music ...

I remember many of the struggles of childhood ... perhaps that helps when I work with some of the students I work with these days.

I remember the bitter cold ... being bundled up for the long trek to school. I remember hot summer sun and trips to Pike Lake or the local public swimming pool and lining up at the concession stand for taffy.

Of course it's wonderful to visit with relatives that still live here ... I miss them, and think of them often ... it's beautiful to be able to spend time with them.

Nothing lasts forever, and one of the icons of a childhood event may soon be relegated to a memory. The Victoria Bridge has been closed, and will likely not be repaired. It's sad in a way ... it would have been nice to see it restored ... but probably not practical to do so. One has to let go of the past, as change is only thing constant in the universe.

When I was a kid, I had my tonsils out. My parents got me a little kiddie car after getting the procedure, and I remember riding down to this old iron bridge.

I was born here in Saskatoon, and spent about a quarter of my life here ... then lived in Winnipeg for many years ... a prairie boy - through and through ... I know of windchill, block heaters, ice scrapers ...

I don't live in the past, but I think it's ok to revisit it once in a while ... if nothing else, to remind yourself of where you came from ... we are, after all, who we are in many respects because of our past. All the things that helped make us who we have become are behind us, and while we can't change them, it can sometimes be kind of comforting to remind ourselves of our origins.

the musical universe

When my Palm personal Digital Assistant died a few months ago, I remember how hard I looked to find a replacement. Alas, I was forced to find a new device to manage my calendar, contacts, lists and media. After some research I picked up my iPod Touch.

I have to say - I'm really impressed. It does everything I need it to do, and well. Initially, I wasn't crazy about having to change devices, but now I am glad I was forced to make the change.

Technology does indeed improve, folks. I've seen wonderful improvements, and while it may not always be easy to change, upgrade and learn how to use new devices - in the end it will always be part of the tech landscape ... and we have to just suck it up, read the manuals and learn to embrace the new.

These days I use it to surf the net, view video, listen to my music library, enjoy streaming internet radio ... there are PLENTY of free apps to help me do all I want to do. I love my iPod.

I know that Apple has got a new model coming out soon, and it too will have more to offer. That is the nature of technology - there are always newer, better devices on the horizon. I'm in no rush to upgrade ... my iPod keeps me organized and entertained, and I will use it until it fails.

I have had a burning, hot, passionate love affair with music for a very long time ... and it is one of those passions that seems to remain strong with time. I still have my vinyl LPs downstairs, a few cassette tapes, and several shelves of compact discs. You can imagine that with over 30 years of DeeJaying behind me, I have a respectable music library.

Currently, I am contemplating relegating my CDs to the basement. I've been importing them to my iPod, and can see that physical multimedia seems to on the way out in many respects.

Most of the movies and music I play these days are digital. They are on hard drives, USB sticks and other devices. I am not quite ready to completely part with my CDs yet ... there are still situations where I use them, although fewer and fewer.

As I have been digitizing my music library, I have come across many forgotten musical gems. It's nice to rediscover some of the music that I haven't heard for some time. My music collection is decent, but I know that the musical universe is immense. There is so much excellent music in the world, I know that this is an ongoing project, with no foreseeable end in sight.

I love rock, jazz, blues ... and doubt I could ever be forced to pick just one as my favourite. As time goes on, I see that there is so much more to discover and enjoy. The joy of music continues to inspire and elevate the human spirit.

one more step in a greener direction

I love cycling. It's another one of those win - win things ... I get exercise, sunshine and fresh air, while NOT using a gasoline powered vehicle for my transportation needs.

One of my goals this summer was to find a way of being able to get groceries while on my bike. I new what the answer was, and have been watching for my opportunity to put things in place. A little while ago opportunity knocked, when I saw that bike trailers were 40% off at Canadian Tire.

By the way - if you ever get the chance to see the movie "Who Killed The Electric Car" - I'd recommend it. After seeing it, my view of gasoline and automobiles changed completely ...

Today I am off to get groceries by bicycle.

It's not a huge step to reduce my carbon footprint, but the way I see it, even smaller steps can be effective ... as long as they are in the right direction.

sharing good music

I was a deejay for 30 years before moving to Ottawa. During those years I played a huge range of gigs : Pow - Wows, Wedding and sports Socials, School Dances and Sock- hops, Family reunions, Birthday Parties, Night clubs, Afternoon Jamborees, Singles Dances and more ...

I have fond memories of various functions ... functions at Fort Gibralter, The Winnipeg Art Gallery, The Hotel Fort Gallery, The Lieutenant Governor of Manitoba's House ... country socials out near Brandon ... school Graduations and barbecues ... many fun and wonderful celebrations.

Some deejays weren't fond of doing weddings, but I didn't mind. They usually involved a room full of love, with toasts and well wishes ... celebrating with friends and family. The spirit at such an event can often be uplifting and joyful.

After moving to Ottawa I explored the possibility of continuing deejaying, but it didn't end up happening. One of the reasons may have been that I really had hoped to find a company that had progressed beyond CDs. I was unsuccessful in my quest, and perhaps it's just as well. While I miss the warm smiles and packed dance floors, I don't miss the late nights ...

During the summer I have been driving with Performer Transportation for a couple of Ottawa's music festivals, and always bring a couple of CDs with me to play in the vehicles. I love when the musicians I am driving around begin to ask about the music I'm playing.

The artists I drive are truly a captive audience, and it's a wonderful opportunity to pick their brains about musical experiences, stories and insights. It's also an opportunity to inspire and entertain.

In a sense I still deejay. My audiences are just much, much smaller. They may be people in my car or the guests at a pot luck dinner.

I can't help but want to share good things ...

Pancakes

July was a busy crazy wonderful month ... Jazz Festival / Blues Fest / Two trips to Toronto / A weekend in Picton ... Haven't blogged for a while ...

Janice and I had something for breakfast this morning that we've never eaten together before.

We've been together for three years, and this is the first time she's made pancakes for us. They were great ... whole wheat / ground flax /cinnamon / honey ... very yummy. We wouldn't have had pancakes had it not been for watching TV this morning. We had been watching a sit com that mentioned pancakes about 8 times, and next thing you know- we are having pancakes for breakfast.

Nutritious & Delicious!

August will be less hectic ... The Folk Festival is coming up / cycling / volleyball /hikes & walks / domestic projects ... before you know it, it will be September and we will be off to Saskatoon and Winnipeg for a visit

: )