Holy Crap, it's Mother Mother!

Holy crap, it's been almost a year since I posted anything here. >That's< gotta change...

We went to see Mother Mother at The Habitat last night. That's most of them in the low-quality cellphone pic. What an amazing band! Really great sound, and all much younger than I was expecting. They were out promoting their (re-released) 1st album, produced by the guy who does The New Pornographers and Tegan & Sara.

The crowd was young and beautiful and happy, the venue was cold and loud but cheerful, the yam fries were yummy, tickets were only $15. What more could you really ask for? To see them in a proper concert hall, I guess.

Next up is Crispin Glover's Big Show in Seattle. Maybe we'll luck out and find Death Cab for Cutie playing. Or, perchance, The Arcade Fire will return to Canada. Same thing for Tom Waits.

More soon.

No more Art

Art Buchwald died on the 17th.

I fixed Art's laptop once. He came wandering in to where I worked in Vancouver, looking for help. We didn't fix laptops, but I recognized his face and told him I'd give it a try. I asked his name as we huddled over the machine, and we chatted a bit.

When I played dumb and asked what he did, he just said, "I'm a newpaper man."

Nice guy.

This is reponse to a post today by Chemical Billy.

What can I say, hon. The sad undertone in your post really struck a chord.

When I first moved to the States somebody asked why I knew so much about America. I replied that when a mouse sleeps next to an elephant, the mouse pays very, very close attention to every move the elephant makes.

When it comes to international agreements that are suddenly inconvenient, America has long chosen to ignore them. The best another country can hope for is a long and arduous negotiation to get the States to abide by what they've already agreed to.

In recent years that has come dramatically to light in Canada. We watched bewildered as we were trashed after not joining the Iraq war. We didn't realize that asking for more compelling evidence before committing our troops meant that we were on the side of terror.

Our negotiators on economic issues are being told flatly to "take it or leave it" by their American counterparts. Some have even reported veiled threats coming from men and women that they have long known to be skilled and intelligent people.

Perhaps most tellingly is the travel agents. My travel agent will no longer book clients through the States unless that is their destination. Even brief stopovers that don't involve leaving the plane are out - just too many crazy and invasive things have happened.

And now it appears that such tactics can be used domestically.

I don't want this to come across as a rant. I loved my time in the States. I love the people I've met there, the friends I still have there. Americans are kind and brave and warm. I understand your pride and love for your country because I love my own. America has a lot to be proud of.

Although I love Canada, since living in the States I've thought that under the right circumstances I could again. At this point I doubt if I'll even visit anytime soon, and I'll never live there.

I really feel for you, Billy. Be scared, but don't be petrified. Your government already feels itself above the rest of the world, and now it feels itself above its own people. For a long time we watched the way the US dealt with Third World countries and believed that our long friendship would spare us that. We were naive. When push comes to shove, the US government, especially this one, does what it wants. Even if they don't use these powers immediately or often, they will use them. The "agreements" written into your Constitution have suddenly become inconvenient.


I'm glad you're a proud American, Billy. Don't give up.

You and Mr. Billy are in my thoughts.

Flying

Just received an email from my Dad.

A couple quick, clear, blunt lines stating that two helicopters have crashed, resulting in two deaths. He doesn't need to tell us that he wasn't involved. He doesn't need us to tell him to fly safe, he knows. Crews fight over who gets to fly with him. Everyone wants the older guy with pictures of his grandkids on the door, reminding them all that the reckless don't go home in this line of work.

At his age he could be flying beautiful people off their yacht, but there he is, dropping brave men and women into firestorms.

I'm proud of him, and I make sure I hug him every time he leaves.

Cheers to Bridgetown!

Many people have written in about the name of our humble establishment. Well, some people have been mildly curious. One guy. Offline.

Anyhoo, this place exists as an appreciative nod to a small shop in Bridgetown, Barbados.

Unfortunately, of many days spent in Bridgetown, not once was this place open. Maybe the reality inside would've been less inspirational.


Yew.

Our Favourite Mechanic Leaves

Yesterday our longest-serving and best mechanic of the last eight years left to seek his fortune, new girl at his side. I wish them well. I know that at least a few people in Tottenham, Ontario, have missed him more than I will, though.

Love ya, Nik

{sigh}

yew.

Annette Visits the Funeral Parlour

Oh, Annette Funicello! Why do you haunt us so?

All day long "Pineapple Princess" has been echoing through the Funeral Parlour, so we've been spending most of our time in the Garage. Although we've had plenty of clients come back, as far as we know Annette never passed through our doors. Ya never know, though. Her mouse-on-Ritalin voice has a strangely hypnotic quality about it that I've never noticed before. Disturbing.

Yew.

Slow Starts

Wow, off to an even slower start than normal, here at the Garage. But we like slow starts, keeps us in business. Nobody ever brought their machine to the Garage because it started too quickly.

And not many people like rushing in the Funeral biz, either.

Yew.