hamiltoe - this is the picture
We decided on Hamilton. We move at the end of March.
I'm pretty happy with this decision. I miss living in Hamilton. A lot of people hate it there, but I dunno. I just connect with that city. And I have a lot of good memories there from the Sonic Unyon/Transit hardcore days, and from when Jen lived there, and when Chris and Cheryl had their apartment near the GO station. Any bad vibes I ever had with that city - with exes, with exes' psychotic ex-gfs, with stupid people who gossip - have all faded from my memory and all that's left is the good - no, great - stuff. I can't wait to make more awesome memories there.
We're looking for a 2 bedroom apartment in the downtown core, preferrably on the main floor of a house, I think. Or a smallish building. I don't think I really wanna do the high-rise thing again, unless maybe we live on the 2nd-4th floor. April 1st, baby!
Also, I have 99% decided to pursue the tattoo artist option. The more I think about it, the more strongly I feel about it. I think this is the right path for me. I love to draw, but I'm not passionate about it enough that I'm worried about drawing for a living killing my spirit. I'm creative, I'm a pretty good artist, and I pick things up very quickly.
So right now, I'm trying to find a shop that will hire me as a shop helper/counter person and then I am going to try and apprentice under one of the artists. I hope I can find someone rad who isn't a dick (because a lot of artists are really cocky and surly about what they do).
Guys! I'm so glad I've figured out what I'd like to take a shot at. Here's hoping I do well.
I think I'm also going to look for another part-time job at a record store or a bookstore or a bar or something. Just so I've got a few different things going on.
It's a nerve-wracking decision that we've made, but both Dave and I are really looking forward to this. He already knows a bunch of dudes there who he is going to start a new band with, and Jenny and I have plans to jam. We'll probably end up doing some loud, fast chick hardcore/punk thing, which would be rad (not to mention Ho-Mags, the all-girl Cro-Mags coverband that me, Val and Val's friend Nat are starting! HO-MAGS.).
Another cool thing is that we have a built-in variety of friends in Hamilton, but the city is so new to us (I lived there 5 years ago and not for all that long, so I still consider this to be "new") at the same time that it'll be fun to meet new people.
I can't wait to uncover more of the punk scene. We know the Vatican Chainsaw Massacre dudes, Partytank, the Our Father guys, etc. and they're all great bands, and I'm sure there's even more just waiting for me to photograph them and get involved with. I'm really seriously hoping that I can finally put together a band there, because god knows London was stale as shit for that. I just found out that The Embassy is closing! That's THREE live venues in London that have shut down in the past year (including the 'Wick, and the -ugh- Salt Lounge). I can't believe it... Man. London's music scene is crumbling and clinging on for life.
I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed by all of this because it's a pretty big change. I mean, Dave and I are damn comfortable. But comfort isn't always a good thing.
It's going to take a lot of planning and blood, sweat and tears to pull this off without a hitch, but hey, what is life if it isn't a challenge? I need to have something new again, I crave new. I need a change more than I can say.
***
I noticed today that I am becoming much more brave and fearless and stern when it comes to dealing with people. And a little mouthier, too. Like, not in a trashy, bitchy way. But more like, I am seriously unconcerned if I rub someone the wrong way, or tell someone off, or put someone in their place. I am feeling very confident. Just today, I wrote an email to my boss telling him exactly what I think of them dumping 50 boxes of stock on the managers two weeks before Valentine's Day, aka one of our busiest times of the year; I finally told off this chick I hate (we're total frenemies, and she tried adding me back to Facebook today, which is why I messaged her. I was just like "dude, we're never going to be friends, on FB or otherwise. Peace.), and I was lippy with this douchebag promoter in town. I don't know what's up with me! I have this newfound hellfire in me, I just feel like I am not taking ANY shit, and no one intimidates me anymore. If someone's a dick, I'll tell them, or be a dick right back.
So, that's cool. I definitely like that trait in people. Tactful assholes, really. That's a good name for us.
***
Friday night was Partytank and Fog of Leprosy @ Absinthe in Hamilton. We took the Greyhound down and Biff and Val met us. We hung out at Partytank's jamspace for awhile, which was so weird because it was right next door to Rise Over Run's old jamspace in the Sonic Unyon basement. I got down there and I was like "wait a minute... I recognize this place..."
The show was wickedawesome. Chris and Jay and all of the dudes (Phil, Joe, Mark) were there and Sector Seven played so Lee was there, which was awesome... A whole bunch of people I went to highschool with came, saw my old friend Grant, Erin was there, I met Jen's metal friend Stephanie and her bf, Timmy Franz came... It was just really cool to see a lot of old familiar faces.
Dave and I both got smammered, and this dude I went to highschool with shared a joint with me, so the evening was pleasantly toxic. FOL was fucking thrashtastic, and Partytank kicked ass as usual - they even had Johnny play guitar so there were 3 guitar players, hahaha!
After the show, we slept over at Biff's and went out for lunch the next day with Biff, Val, and Jenny to Harvest Burger. Talked to Jen a bunch about moving to Hamilton, she was really excited. She's like "fuck yeah, can't wait to riff it up!"
We stopped in at Cheapie's and I picked up The Black Keys' "Rubber Factory" on vinyl, "Black Flag: the first four years" on vinyl (!!!!!), and a 98 cent copy of Herb Alpert & the Tijuana Brass! Haha! Amazing. Oh Cheapies, I missed thee.
Spent the rest of the weekend at my mom's house in Beamsville. Ordered chinese Saturday night and told my parents about "the plan". They seemed glad we were going to be living closer, but also a tad stressed out because my mom is worried about us finding jobs in sufficient time. Hung out with my brother for a bit on Sunday and then we came home sweet home to the apartment where I realized that I had shut my cat into the bedroom all weekend! I was so upset I almost cried. She was okay though, thank goodness. Pfft, she probably just slept right through it. Hah.
Back to the goddamn grind this week, which is so hard considering now my heart has completely up and flown away from that place and I'm basically grinding my teeth every moment that I have to be there. It's a paycheque, I guess. Only 26 more days...
I've got some photo work lined up this month for some extra cash flow. One of them should potentially be a pretty big paycheque. Aw yee.
I'm pretty happy with this decision. I miss living in Hamilton. A lot of people hate it there, but I dunno. I just connect with that city. And I have a lot of good memories there from the Sonic Unyon/Transit hardcore days, and from when Jen lived there, and when Chris and Cheryl had their apartment near the GO station. Any bad vibes I ever had with that city - with exes, with exes' psychotic ex-gfs, with stupid people who gossip - have all faded from my memory and all that's left is the good - no, great - stuff. I can't wait to make more awesome memories there.
We're looking for a 2 bedroom apartment in the downtown core, preferrably on the main floor of a house, I think. Or a smallish building. I don't think I really wanna do the high-rise thing again, unless maybe we live on the 2nd-4th floor. April 1st, baby!
Also, I have 99% decided to pursue the tattoo artist option. The more I think about it, the more strongly I feel about it. I think this is the right path for me. I love to draw, but I'm not passionate about it enough that I'm worried about drawing for a living killing my spirit. I'm creative, I'm a pretty good artist, and I pick things up very quickly.
So right now, I'm trying to find a shop that will hire me as a shop helper/counter person and then I am going to try and apprentice under one of the artists. I hope I can find someone rad who isn't a dick (because a lot of artists are really cocky and surly about what they do).
Guys! I'm so glad I've figured out what I'd like to take a shot at. Here's hoping I do well.
I think I'm also going to look for another part-time job at a record store or a bookstore or a bar or something. Just so I've got a few different things going on.
It's a nerve-wracking decision that we've made, but both Dave and I are really looking forward to this. He already knows a bunch of dudes there who he is going to start a new band with, and Jenny and I have plans to jam. We'll probably end up doing some loud, fast chick hardcore/punk thing, which would be rad (not to mention Ho-Mags, the all-girl Cro-Mags coverband that me, Val and Val's friend Nat are starting! HO-MAGS.).
Another cool thing is that we have a built-in variety of friends in Hamilton, but the city is so new to us (I lived there 5 years ago and not for all that long, so I still consider this to be "new") at the same time that it'll be fun to meet new people.
I can't wait to uncover more of the punk scene. We know the Vatican Chainsaw Massacre dudes, Partytank, the Our Father guys, etc. and they're all great bands, and I'm sure there's even more just waiting for me to photograph them and get involved with. I'm really seriously hoping that I can finally put together a band there, because god knows London was stale as shit for that. I just found out that The Embassy is closing! That's THREE live venues in London that have shut down in the past year (including the 'Wick, and the -ugh- Salt Lounge). I can't believe it... Man. London's music scene is crumbling and clinging on for life.
I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed by all of this because it's a pretty big change. I mean, Dave and I are damn comfortable. But comfort isn't always a good thing.
It's going to take a lot of planning and blood, sweat and tears to pull this off without a hitch, but hey, what is life if it isn't a challenge? I need to have something new again, I crave new. I need a change more than I can say.
***
I noticed today that I am becoming much more brave and fearless and stern when it comes to dealing with people. And a little mouthier, too. Like, not in a trashy, bitchy way. But more like, I am seriously unconcerned if I rub someone the wrong way, or tell someone off, or put someone in their place. I am feeling very confident. Just today, I wrote an email to my boss telling him exactly what I think of them dumping 50 boxes of stock on the managers two weeks before Valentine's Day, aka one of our busiest times of the year; I finally told off this chick I hate (we're total frenemies, and she tried adding me back to Facebook today, which is why I messaged her. I was just like "dude, we're never going to be friends, on FB or otherwise. Peace.), and I was lippy with this douchebag promoter in town. I don't know what's up with me! I have this newfound hellfire in me, I just feel like I am not taking ANY shit, and no one intimidates me anymore. If someone's a dick, I'll tell them, or be a dick right back.
So, that's cool. I definitely like that trait in people. Tactful assholes, really. That's a good name for us.
***
Friday night was Partytank and Fog of Leprosy @ Absinthe in Hamilton. We took the Greyhound down and Biff and Val met us. We hung out at Partytank's jamspace for awhile, which was so weird because it was right next door to Rise Over Run's old jamspace in the Sonic Unyon basement. I got down there and I was like "wait a minute... I recognize this place..."
The show was wickedawesome. Chris and Jay and all of the dudes (Phil, Joe, Mark) were there and Sector Seven played so Lee was there, which was awesome... A whole bunch of people I went to highschool with came, saw my old friend Grant, Erin was there, I met Jen's metal friend Stephanie and her bf, Timmy Franz came... It was just really cool to see a lot of old familiar faces.
Dave and I both got smammered, and this dude I went to highschool with shared a joint with me, so the evening was pleasantly toxic. FOL was fucking thrashtastic, and Partytank kicked ass as usual - they even had Johnny play guitar so there were 3 guitar players, hahaha!
After the show, we slept over at Biff's and went out for lunch the next day with Biff, Val, and Jenny to Harvest Burger. Talked to Jen a bunch about moving to Hamilton, she was really excited. She's like "fuck yeah, can't wait to riff it up!"
We stopped in at Cheapie's and I picked up The Black Keys' "Rubber Factory" on vinyl, "Black Flag: the first four years" on vinyl (!!!!!), and a 98 cent copy of Herb Alpert & the Tijuana Brass! Haha! Amazing. Oh Cheapies, I missed thee.
Spent the rest of the weekend at my mom's house in Beamsville. Ordered chinese Saturday night and told my parents about "the plan". They seemed glad we were going to be living closer, but also a tad stressed out because my mom is worried about us finding jobs in sufficient time. Hung out with my brother for a bit on Sunday and then we came home sweet home to the apartment where I realized that I had shut my cat into the bedroom all weekend! I was so upset I almost cried. She was okay though, thank goodness. Pfft, she probably just slept right through it. Hah.
Back to the goddamn grind this week, which is so hard considering now my heart has completely up and flown away from that place and I'm basically grinding my teeth every moment that I have to be there. It's a paycheque, I guess. Only 26 more days...
I've got some photo work lined up this month for some extra cash flow. One of them should potentially be a pretty big paycheque. Aw yee.