rambling othercat

I'm a 40 sumthin' computer geek. I like to barmp my sax with the band on thursday nights. I live in Toronto with my partner, and Grendel, a chihuahua.

Wednesday, August 31, 2005

Riley B King - born in 1925 and still going strong

I just attended a performance of BB King at the Molson Amphitheatre in Toronto. I sprung for a pair of tickets to treat my pal Sassinak for her recent birthday. This has to be the sixth or seventh time I've had the pleasure, and despite Mr. King's advancing years, he still has what it takes.

He has a top notch band and a guitar technique that continues to impress. His booming baritone voice still gets your attention whether he's relating a corny story or singing one of his trademark tunes. His second guitarist would mop up the stage with most other players while the band warms up, and then Mr. King shuffles on and takes over the entire venue.

I once read that BB King spends something like 270 days of the year on the road with his band. That's not bad considering that he will turn 80 years of age this coming September 16. I hope I have as much energy if I'm alive at that age.

I've heard two elder statesmen of the music business this summer now. BB King and Sonny Rollins, who is 5 years younger. Both men have a commanding presence and an infectious joy that comes from playing music and making a life of it. Here's to both of them. May they continue to perform and play as much as they can for as long as they are able.

Sunday, August 28, 2005

New Lyrics

I keep coming back on the scene
To the place where you've always been
My worried mind jumps from place to place
and you just hold your own and say

It's too damn hot to listen to this
Life's too short to shake your fist
Take a break from your frantic strife
Go ahead and get on with your life

I keep coming around again
I keep asking you for the plan
You just stand back and smile
This discourse could take a while

I've got an aching hole in my heart
Just don't know quite where to start
Give me a reason to cleanse my soul
Give me a chance to become whole

The sun will rise on a brand new day
And more than likely I'll continue to say
I'm not the man I want to be
Take the blinders off, so I can see

****************************

Here's another set to peruse. I've been inspired enough to write a few new things, and figured it was worth posting for my musical friends to look at. Lemme know what your think.

Saturday, August 27, 2005

Full House



We are bursting at the seams. My pal's marriage has gone for a big shit, and he needed a place to stay so I have offered him the luxury of our couch for a few weeks. It's official too, because he's got a DHCP assignment on our network and he's sharing packets.

I scratch my head when I hear about all the homeless folks out there. One case in particular struck a chord with me recently. A homeless man who had worked hard to raise the profile of homeless people in Toronto passed away, and his sister came forward to eulogize him. While his advocacy is to be admired, I can't help but wonder why his sister couldn't have bothered to help put a permanent roof over his head instead of leaving him to the streets. A eulogy doesn't help the poor fugger who just died.

If I'm in a position to help someone I know avoid the harsh life on the streets of Toronto, then who am I to complain. It's obviously a little inconvenient to have a third person living with my partner and I, but it's also the right thing to do. It makes me wonder why there are so many homeless people. People talk the good talk, but don't necessarily practice what they preach. People should stop being so disfunctional and extend a hand to their friends and family who occasionally fall on hard times instead of leaving them to the urban jungle.

I've never really worried about money too much. If I have it, it's good, and if I don't have it, I hurry up and wait for things to improve a little bit. If there are enough resources to get by, I've never shied away from helping friends who are a less fortunate. I figure that someday I may need a hand myself, and I hope that my friends will be as good to me as I've been to them. It's only right and "money doesn't care who owns it".

Tuesday, August 23, 2005

Happy Fuffbay PJ

PJ turns 40-sumthin today. He's never too thrilled about getting older, but I thought I'd better get him a present anyway. He won't read this blog until later, if at all, so I can tell the whole world at large that he's getting a how-to book, a tiny bowl and a harness for Grendel, a yet-to-be acquired chihuahua.

I'm really worried, because not only have I caved in to the request for a chihuahua, but I've gone and purchased supplies for the little fugger already.

The harness is the clincher though. To look at it, it's hard to imagine that some dogs are made small enough to fit inside these things, but the PetsMart store has several of them on hand. I guess there are dogs that tiny. The entire harness is a flimsy looking thing with a plastic retainer to hold it all together. There can't be more than 30 or so centimeters of material on the harness, and it's supposed to fit around the dog's neck and thorax.

My neighbour Bill, who takes care of Spot on occasion, has the same reservations about the little dog as I do. Bill has spent several years coaching hockey, and he's worried that people's perceptions of him may change if he's caught walking a chihuahua down the street. Hockey coaches should never be required to walk chihuahuas should they? Us red blooded males are under siege by a bunch of tiny canines that any SELF RESPECTING MAN would be inclined to ignore and deny it's status as a canine entirely. They are snapping at our heels and we're running in terror, metaphorically speaking.

What's the world coming to?

Monday, August 22, 2005


The Saugeen River, just a few kilometers downstream from the source. It's been a long dry summer, and but the river is still flowing. We're at one of the highest points in southern Ontario, close to the start of the Grand, the Nottawasaga, and several branches of the Saugeen. It's mind boggling the amount of water that emanates from this part of the province.  Posted by Picasa

Sunday, August 21, 2005

Yogi Liam

I dropped into my local yoga studio today for a session. The class was led by a beautiful young woman named Alli. We started by lying in a meditative pose called Savasana. It's really just checking in with your body and coming to grips with the slight bits of tension that we all carry. Alli began the class with a short bit of Sanskrit chanting and a series of sun salutations. We proceeded to work on some stretching and strengthening exercises once we were warmed up. We wound down in savasana at the end to check back in and discover the changes that we might have effected during the session.

I have been reading about the practice of yoga for some time, and been thinking that my pilates practice would have made me ready for it. Was I ever wrong. I am constantly reminded of my weaknesses whenever I think that I'm strong enough. The students consisted of four women and me. Three of them were incredibly flexible and strong, and the fourth woman was a slightly more advanced novice who nonetheless had much greater ability than I did. In some poses, or asanas, as they are called, I was barely able to get into them, while most of the women were executing them with a great deal of facility. So much for the masculine conceit of athletic prowess.

It's not that my pride is injured or anything. Everyone needs a reminder of their inadequacies once in a while. It's a lifelong struggle to keep improving. We all need to work hard to keep the pace. I'm just another mortal guy with strengths and weaknesses. I know I've got these weaknesses, but I can always improve on them. Try something new to realize that we're not superheroes. Don't dwell on your strengths but try to overcome your weakness.

The thing I notice after a few hours of reflection is that I'm a little sore all over. My muscles have been tweaked from my head to my toes, and despite my lack of flexibility, I've been worked out very well. If you're looking for something to get a complete workout, yoga would be an excellent choice. I'm not mentioning the spiritual side of the practice, because that's not something I'm qualified to yap about.

The aspect of yoga that I appreciate most is it's not a competitive sport. It's all about personal pursuit rather than showing off your chops. I'll save that for Thursday nights when I can barmp my saxophone.

Friday, August 19, 2005

Eugenia

River running boldly
Across the rocky face
Rolling steady downstream
Every river in it's place

The stones will yield
The water flows
How long it rushes
Only Gaia knows

A gentle trickle
A mighty roar
Spirits unfolding
On the rocky shore

River running wildly
Over the rocky scree
Falling past the brink
It feels what it can't see

The trees embrace
The rocks constrain
The river flows
Take away the rain

********************

I couldn't help thinking about water after the deluge this past afternoon. Rain came down hard and didn't appear to have any obstacles in it's way. Wayne and I mopped up for an hour or so when his basement flooded. Tornados set down in southwestern Ontario. Sassinak was on the way to a campsite that was likely soaking by the time she arrived. I found out that my pal's marriage ended. It's hard not to think about water when you have a day like this, whether it's tears or raindrops. It can be cathartic and it can be hurtful, but it always passes, just like the river.

Tuesday, August 16, 2005


Dragon Rolls - mmmmmmmmm. The chef at Ichiban Sushi on Wellington St makes these whimsical looking dragon rolls. Unagi, Octopus, Avocado and all sorts of lovely stuff made into a dragon with his tongue sticking out and a pair of antennae for locating distressed maidens. Dragons still roam the earth.  Posted by Picasa

Monday, August 15, 2005


A Chihuahua Posted by Picasa

Spineless Othercat

PJ has been lobbying for a little dog. Spot doesn't want one. I'm not crazy about the idea, but like most invertebrates, I'm spineless. PJ keeps upping the ante, and downsizing the prospective dog too. First it was something like a small mutt or a Jack Russell. Next it was a Miniature Pinscher. Then he laid eyes on a really small chihuahua last month, and he's hooked.

This creature was so small that a slight breeze was pushing it sideways on the street. Chihuahuas are cute little suckers, but like most men, with testosterone coursing through their veins, I would never admit that a chihuahua was even a dog. More like a rat or something. Are you with me men? My masculinity is at stake. What am I to do. I couldn't possibly be caught out of doors walking something that resembles a dog, but is way too small for a self respecting guy.

The only one on my side is Spot. I suspect she'll be quite irritated by the idea of a canine smaller than her running about the condo. The chihuahua might kill her... by getting stuck in her throat. The only upside to this whole dog debate is that PJ likes the name I would give it. I figured a good dose of irony would work. We would call it Grendel, after the sullen cannibal monster in the old English story of Beowulf.

Maybe Sassinak will come to my defense, but then PJ is good at ignoring her too!

Sunday, August 14, 2005

No Winning Allowed

Egad!

I've just had the worst possible bit of crap deposited here in my blog. Some twit (not the U.S. President either, this is another twit) left a comment on my last entry to try and sell me a penny stock. Will these people never learn what an ethical sales pitch is? I am amongst millions of people who literally detest spam, and now it's invading the blogosphere. I get over one thousand email spams a month trying to sell me everything from penny stocks to girls named Penny, and everything in between. Email has become a necessary evil instead of a fun thing to deal with. Is there no place in cyberspace where we can be free of these miscreants?

The blog world appeared to be a cool thing where people could sound off and post information without the incessant whining of marketers and advertising. Sorta like Usenet was like years ago when you could do much the same. Then one day, flamers and pornographers corrupted the medium, and it became a pain in the ass. Now it appears that blogs are headed the same way. Nitwits will take anything useful and fun in this virtual playground, and turn it into crap. You can't win.

Some people expect freedom, and other people expect to irritate freely. I just wish it hadn't happened so soon. I'm going to run away from home and live in a cave. (I just hope the cave has high speed internet access and a decent firewall.)

P.S. The spam-like comment has been deleted. No point in giving this rat a few more eyeballs after he's irritated me with his junk.

Saturday, August 13, 2005


This picture was taken at the brink of Eugenia Falls. It's a beautiful spot at the south end of Beaver Valley. It's a half hour south of Thornbury and 10 minutes north of Flesherton. I spent the day hunting down waterfalls with Lividviv and her mum. It was the greatest. Unfortunately, Sassinak had to take off to have Baked Alaska instead. Lucky us. We all got what we wanted.  Posted by Picasa

Wednesday, August 10, 2005


We made the record books. A few signatures were suspect, so we were downgraded to 900 players from 930, but it doesn't matter. We made the record. Yippee Posted by Picasa

Tuesday, August 09, 2005

Musical Blog Tag

"List ten songs that you are currently digging ... it doesn't matter what genre they are from, whether they have words, or even if they're no good, but they must be songs you're really enjoying right now. Post these instructions, the artists, and the ten songs in your blog. Then tag five other people to see what they're listening to."

To start with, I don't think I know 5 people who blog. I have four friends who blog, so here goes:


  • Number Six - Miroslav Vitous Group

  • Boguinene - Ibrahim Ferrer (Buenos Hermanos)

  • Euthenasia Waltz - Brand X (Livestock)

  • Listen Now - Phil Manzanera/801 (Listen Now)

  • Canyon Two Step - Bill Grove/White Noise

  • Mind Ecology - Shakti w/ John McLaughlin(Natural Elements)

  • Five Brothers - Keith Jarrett Trio (The Out of Towners)

  • Dark Prince - Geri Allen (The Gathering)

  • Song For Bilbao - Michael Brecker (Tails from the Hudson)

  • Riot - Keith Jarrett Trio (Inside Out)



I have to admit that this list is extremely incomplete. If I were to admit to any kind of fanaticism, it would have to be musical. I could add to this list all day, and it would still be incomplete. It's usually esoteric and weird because that's the way I am. It's too bad Sam and HMV don't have a weird section. Some of these selections are rather conventional, but you'll notice that only two of them are vocal. I tend to prefer instrumental music for some reason.

And if you care to respond, I tag GreenHedonist, Lividviv, and Tania. Sassinak has tagged me, so I can't get her to repeat herself.

Monday, August 08, 2005

The Heat is On

I'm supposed to be working today, but instead, I'm "f@$#ing the dog". That's slang for taking it really easy. It's too darn hot again, and I cut my weekend short to come back to work yesterday anyway. I spend a lovely day on Saturday hiking on the Bruce Trail and swimming at the rocky shore of Georgian Bay with my best pal Lividviv. She wasn't so livid despite the nickname she bestowed upon herself. Apparently she had never set foot on the Bruce Trail before, and I took it upon myself to rectify the situation. I took her to a particularly nice spot that overlooks the entire Nottawasaga Valley and Nottawasaga Bay. It was hot outside, but under the forest canopy, the temperature is a few degrees cooler. When the heat is on, there's nothing better than jumping in the lake or finding cover in the Grey County Forest.

Queen Ann's Lace, the ubiquitous flower of summertime. I took this one at the site of the Lake Ontario/Georgian Bay watershed. If you can find this particular flower, there's a wonderful vista nearby which overlooks the entire Greater Toronto Area. Just go north on Hart Lake Rd until you find a weird looking tower on Dept. of Defense property, and turn around. Voila! Posted by Picasa

Monday, August 01, 2005


This black squirrel visited us frequently over the past weekend. He enjoyed the handouts of peanuts, while we had a good laugh figuring out whether he should be called Howard or Blackie. We didn't see the usual suspects, like chipmunks, but we did see lots of jays and turkey vultures.  Posted by Picasa

We found this lovely, and deceased moth at our campsite at The Pinery. It appears that some other creature had had a meal from the innards of the moth and left the dessicated exterior behind. The head and antennae are missing, but otherwise it's relatively intact.  Posted by Picasa