(no subject)
Latest update from me. In it I talk about my trip to Toronto (though I still have yet to meet a Degrassi cast member. Sad.) and good music. There are also pictures. Everyone loves pictures.
One of the biggest problems I have with updating my LiveJournal is that I’m often way too lazy to do it. I don’t know why, but when I’m sitting done for an update, it suddenly becomes more important to clean my room or check on the dog or I’m suddenly hungry for soup. But, if I am to reach 500 entries in the next 2.75 years, I might as well start writing more.
So, as it is Monday, an update about the weekend seems appropriate. As of Friday night, I had no real plans. I figured I would use Saturday to get some reading done and Sunday would be spent working and sleeping. But, my dear friend Fate, as is so often the case, had other plans for me.
Around 10 PM, Justin and I were sitting at my house when Mr. Jason Keef IMed us. He had no plans for Saturday and suggested a trip of sorts. I think when he said trip, he had something like Stoney Creek or Kensington in mind, (those are both parks in the area) but somehow our trip turned into Toronto. I don’t know how that happened; Justin says it was his idea, but I really like to make things about myself so I’m going to take credit for it. Faithful Paul historians will recall that I’ve always had a fascination with Toronto, ever since my brief infatuation with Degrassi.
Toronto is about a four hour trek from these parts and we decided to leave bright and early Saturday morning for maximum Canadian fun. This might have happened had we actually made it across the border. Those of you that have made the trip across probably know that it is never fun. Most of the time entering Canada is a lot easier than entering the United States, but when the driver of your car fails to provide his driver’s license AND his birth certificate, trouble ensues.
They searched our car, asked some questions, and then made us go inside so that Jason could sign a document stating that he was rejecting his application to enter the country. He did this, and when we entered the car and prepared to leave, his birth certificate miraculously appeared inside his camera case. Why does one store his birth certificate in a camera case? That is a question only Jason Keef can answer. I like musicals and have a crooked foot.
So, once we provided the birth certificate, they let us into the country and we were on our way, though we’d waste a good deal of time. The ride to Toronto was very much like most car trips. I read a bit and listened to music a bit more and eventually we were there. I took a couple of shots of the city as we were approaching and here is one.
We drove around a bit, scored a good parking spot for very little money, and went forth into the city to partake in fun. The CN Tower was our destination of choice as it very large and if you are only going to be somewhere for a couple of hours, you might as well go big.
Being the tallest freestanding structure in the world automatically makes something awesome and thusly, the CN Tower is totally awesome. If ever there is a building that replaces The CN Tower as tallest freestanding structure, I will not care, because it will always be the tallest freestanding structure in my heart.
There are two observation decks in the tower, one which is high up, and another which is even higher. We opted to do both and it was well worth it. I’m bad at describing things and the way a city looks when you’re really high in the air is one of those things. But if you’ve ever gazed out upon a city from the sky, you know what it’s like. Everything is so tiny. The traffic in the street looks like toy cars and there’s something about that which is peaceful. Again, I don’t really think words can really do justice to the sights and the feelings that you get. Here’s a picture or two but they pale in comparison to what it’s actually like.
It’s also worth mentioning that there was a Blue Jay’s game going on at the time and we could see down into the stadium. Picture of that as well.
Also, while we’re mentioning things, I want to point out that multiple people stopped Justin and asked him to take their picture. I assume this is because he looks less threatening than I do. And Keef looks homeless.
After we left the CN Tower, we were quite hungry, so we spent a long time roaming around the city looking for somewhere to eat. Those of you that have spent time roaming around expecting a restaurant to pop out at you will note that it hardly ever happens. Though it took us a long time to actually find somewhere to eat, we got to take in a lot of the city which I loved. I could spend days doing nothing but walking around. This is a shot of Justin and I in front of a fountain gabbing on our cell phones. It’s a very nice picture.
We eventually happened upon a random bar and decided it was good enough for eating. Justin and I ordered drinks and now I shall quote him.
“We found a food spot, where I had some Thai noodles and a Labatt Blue and Paul had a burger and some type of alcoholic drink -- forget exactly what it was, but it was one of those drinks that only girls and Paul Gersky would order.”
For the record, it was a strawberry daiquiri which is not something which should be hard to remember, nor do I care if I’m incredibly girly in my consumption of drinks. Beer is gross. They didn’t even ask to see our IDs which I thought was funny because Justin can pass for 14 and I certainly don’t look 21. Also, this was the first time I’ve ever purchased a drink, though it comes two years after I’ve been legally able to do such a thing in Canada.
Here’s Justin sipping from his beer. This picture is incredibly funny to me.
This is Justin eating with chopsticks. This is also funny because it’s the most Asian I’ve ever seen him act.
Lastly, this is my drink after Jason decided to add a pickle to it. It was very good, pre-pickle.
After we ate, we roamed the city some more and then tried to find our way back to the car. This took awhile, but we did and then we left. We hit some Blue Jays traffic, got a little lost, and then were on our way home. Killed a opossum, saw some fireworks, and were allowed back into the United States without having our IDs checked. Crossing in Port Huron is a lot less nerve-racking than crossing in Windsor.
So, Toronto as a whole was really nice in the short amount of time I spent there. As far as big cities go, I only have Chicago to compare it to but I definitely liked it a lot more. Chicago is great, but it’s like the cousin I wouldn’t mind seeing once or twice a year. Toronto is the girlfriend I’m thinking about proposing to. I doubt the odds of me moving to Canada are very good, but if I were ever to move to a big city and I could choose where to go without actually visiting other big cities, I would totally pick Toronto. I really loved it. Maybe it was all in my head, but the atmosphere was very chill. I compared it to being at the beach and Justin told me I was crazy.
So, to conclude my trip to Toronto, here is a picture of Justin with a moose that is also a Mountie.
Oh, and we’re going back. I asked Gayle if she would like to spend her fake birthday in Toronto and she thought it would be an excellent idea (it is). So, right now the plans look like September 15-17, but Gayliekins has to get back to me on the date. Basically, it will be the best Gayle’s birthday ever and you should come unless you’re someone that Gayle really doesn’t want at her birthday weekend in which case I don’t want you there either.
So, that was Saturday. Now let’s talk about Sunday.
One week ago, I had never heard of Jose Gonzalez. That all changed last Tuesday when I was working the Music Information desk (which we call Minfo) and an attractive girl asked me to find his CD for her. I looked (we were supposed to have several) but I never did find the CD. Of course, his name was Jose Gonzalez so I figured he sucked because apparently I am a music racist. The next day, I was working Minfo again and we had a CD playing and I was like “Hey, this is really good.” It turned out to be Mr. Gonzalez and I went home and obtained his CD through legal channels which are nothing like downloading. Nothing at all.
I listened to the CD a bunch of times and definitely fell in love. It’s a very short CD, and most of it is just him with a guitar. There’s a random horn and a bit of percussion on a song of two, but he really carries the entire thing with his voice and the guitar work. It’s funny, being a snob, I probably wouldn’t pay much attention if someone told me to listen to a guy and a guitar, but this is really good. I would make the obligatory Elliot Smith comparison, but that’s too easy. Walters compared him to Damien Rice and I think that’s a little better, but there’s something about Damien Rice that made me want to punch him in the face and tear my brain out after listening to him for a few months. I don’t imagine I will be punching Jose in the face anytime soon.
So, I was in love with this guys CD and I noticed he would be playing at the Magic Stick on Sunday. “Yay!” I think, until I realize that without Gayle, I have no one to go to shows with. But, I remember that Walters sometimes likes music and even if he is a long shot, I decided to ask him if he’d go. Alas, he said yes, and I found myself in Detroit for a night of interesting music.
The Magic Stick website said doors were at 7. We showed up at 7:30, and there was a line. They didn’t let us in till 8:45. Thankfully, the show started at 9. Not so thankfully, the openers, Psapp, played a set which was far too long. I don’t know how to describe their music so I won’t. Let us call it eclectic. After that, Juana Molina took the stage and she played a nice mix of electronic/acoustic music and sang in Spanish. It was decent but the language barrier was still there.
At some point during the night, this exchange took place between Walters and I.
Ian: See that girl three people away from me?
Me: Yeah...
Ian: Is she pregnant or is she just really fat?
Me: Ian, she’s holding a bag in front of her stomach.
Ian: ....Oh.
Eventually my dear Jose took the stage. I’m too lazy to double check, but I think he’s Argentinean. He certainly looks like a Jose and when he talks he sounds like a Jose, but his singing voice is not very Joseish at all. Not that it matters but you might be a music racist, too.
Anyway, the word we will use to describe the show is intimate. It was Jose along on the stage with the guitar. One mic for him, one for the guitar. He sat on a chair which I thought was the most amazing thing ever. I’ve seen beautiful girls use tap dancing to substitute for drums and drunken antics atop a keyboard, but a chair? I loved the chair. He shyly made his way through the set, only stopping a few times to say the things he was supposed to say like “thanks”. I’m sure there are people in the world that might have complained because it wasn’t the most exciting performance, but I don’t think that mattered. His music is very simple and the show suited that. You could tell he was a bit nervous and I thought that just made the entire thing better. I’ve always wondered what it would be like to see someone like Conor Oberst prior to the popularity explosion and I think last night is the closest I’ve come. There weren’t many people at the show; less than 100 for sure and that’s what made it so intimate. Everyone there was seeing something special.
He’s definitely one of the most talented musicians/performers I’ve heard in a long time and I predict great things in the future. He’s working with a full-band called Junip and they’ve got an EP out which I haven’t been able to find, but if he sounds as good as he does with nothing but a guitar, I can only imagine what else he can do. I know that most people don’t really listen to me when I gush about music, but you should because I’m awesome and so is Jose Gonzalez.
A few other random things.
Blue Like Jazz by Donald Miller is the best book I’ve read all year.
The news about the second richest man in the world giving all of his money to the richest man in the world is pretty funny. But I also think it is quite cool that he’s giving so much money to (presumably) good causes because we all know how much I hate money.
As far as my list I’ve 101 things goes, I’ve presently completed four things.
1) Finish The Amber Spyglass.
2) Return Lunar games to Kyle.
3) Write a letter to a local government official.
4) Visit Toronto.
These are all complete. There’s a certain thing on the list which I’m contemplating giving up on entirely, and if I do I might cheat and add something practical/obtainable/not lame. We’ll see how that goes!
And thus concludes another fabulous installment of my LiveJournal. I would promise to write more because I really should, but it would probably be a lie.
One of the biggest problems I have with updating my LiveJournal is that I’m often way too lazy to do it. I don’t know why, but when I’m sitting done for an update, it suddenly becomes more important to clean my room or check on the dog or I’m suddenly hungry for soup. But, if I am to reach 500 entries in the next 2.75 years, I might as well start writing more.
So, as it is Monday, an update about the weekend seems appropriate. As of Friday night, I had no real plans. I figured I would use Saturday to get some reading done and Sunday would be spent working and sleeping. But, my dear friend Fate, as is so often the case, had other plans for me.
Around 10 PM, Justin and I were sitting at my house when Mr. Jason Keef IMed us. He had no plans for Saturday and suggested a trip of sorts. I think when he said trip, he had something like Stoney Creek or Kensington in mind, (those are both parks in the area) but somehow our trip turned into Toronto. I don’t know how that happened; Justin says it was his idea, but I really like to make things about myself so I’m going to take credit for it. Faithful Paul historians will recall that I’ve always had a fascination with Toronto, ever since my brief infatuation with Degrassi.
Toronto is about a four hour trek from these parts and we decided to leave bright and early Saturday morning for maximum Canadian fun. This might have happened had we actually made it across the border. Those of you that have made the trip across probably know that it is never fun. Most of the time entering Canada is a lot easier than entering the United States, but when the driver of your car fails to provide his driver’s license AND his birth certificate, trouble ensues.
They searched our car, asked some questions, and then made us go inside so that Jason could sign a document stating that he was rejecting his application to enter the country. He did this, and when we entered the car and prepared to leave, his birth certificate miraculously appeared inside his camera case. Why does one store his birth certificate in a camera case? That is a question only Jason Keef can answer. I like musicals and have a crooked foot.
So, once we provided the birth certificate, they let us into the country and we were on our way, though we’d waste a good deal of time. The ride to Toronto was very much like most car trips. I read a bit and listened to music a bit more and eventually we were there. I took a couple of shots of the city as we were approaching and here is one.
We drove around a bit, scored a good parking spot for very little money, and went forth into the city to partake in fun. The CN Tower was our destination of choice as it very large and if you are only going to be somewhere for a couple of hours, you might as well go big.
Being the tallest freestanding structure in the world automatically makes something awesome and thusly, the CN Tower is totally awesome. If ever there is a building that replaces The CN Tower as tallest freestanding structure, I will not care, because it will always be the tallest freestanding structure in my heart.
There are two observation decks in the tower, one which is high up, and another which is even higher. We opted to do both and it was well worth it. I’m bad at describing things and the way a city looks when you’re really high in the air is one of those things. But if you’ve ever gazed out upon a city from the sky, you know what it’s like. Everything is so tiny. The traffic in the street looks like toy cars and there’s something about that which is peaceful. Again, I don’t really think words can really do justice to the sights and the feelings that you get. Here’s a picture or two but they pale in comparison to what it’s actually like.
It’s also worth mentioning that there was a Blue Jay’s game going on at the time and we could see down into the stadium. Picture of that as well.
Also, while we’re mentioning things, I want to point out that multiple people stopped Justin and asked him to take their picture. I assume this is because he looks less threatening than I do. And Keef looks homeless.
After we left the CN Tower, we were quite hungry, so we spent a long time roaming around the city looking for somewhere to eat. Those of you that have spent time roaming around expecting a restaurant to pop out at you will note that it hardly ever happens. Though it took us a long time to actually find somewhere to eat, we got to take in a lot of the city which I loved. I could spend days doing nothing but walking around. This is a shot of Justin and I in front of a fountain gabbing on our cell phones. It’s a very nice picture.
We eventually happened upon a random bar and decided it was good enough for eating. Justin and I ordered drinks and now I shall quote him.
“We found a food spot, where I had some Thai noodles and a Labatt Blue and Paul had a burger and some type of alcoholic drink -- forget exactly what it was, but it was one of those drinks that only girls and Paul Gersky would order.”
For the record, it was a strawberry daiquiri which is not something which should be hard to remember, nor do I care if I’m incredibly girly in my consumption of drinks. Beer is gross. They didn’t even ask to see our IDs which I thought was funny because Justin can pass for 14 and I certainly don’t look 21. Also, this was the first time I’ve ever purchased a drink, though it comes two years after I’ve been legally able to do such a thing in Canada.
Here’s Justin sipping from his beer. This picture is incredibly funny to me.
This is Justin eating with chopsticks. This is also funny because it’s the most Asian I’ve ever seen him act.
Lastly, this is my drink after Jason decided to add a pickle to it. It was very good, pre-pickle.
After we ate, we roamed the city some more and then tried to find our way back to the car. This took awhile, but we did and then we left. We hit some Blue Jays traffic, got a little lost, and then were on our way home. Killed a opossum, saw some fireworks, and were allowed back into the United States without having our IDs checked. Crossing in Port Huron is a lot less nerve-racking than crossing in Windsor.
So, Toronto as a whole was really nice in the short amount of time I spent there. As far as big cities go, I only have Chicago to compare it to but I definitely liked it a lot more. Chicago is great, but it’s like the cousin I wouldn’t mind seeing once or twice a year. Toronto is the girlfriend I’m thinking about proposing to. I doubt the odds of me moving to Canada are very good, but if I were ever to move to a big city and I could choose where to go without actually visiting other big cities, I would totally pick Toronto. I really loved it. Maybe it was all in my head, but the atmosphere was very chill. I compared it to being at the beach and Justin told me I was crazy.
So, to conclude my trip to Toronto, here is a picture of Justin with a moose that is also a Mountie.
Oh, and we’re going back. I asked Gayle if she would like to spend her fake birthday in Toronto and she thought it would be an excellent idea (it is). So, right now the plans look like September 15-17, but Gayliekins has to get back to me on the date. Basically, it will be the best Gayle’s birthday ever and you should come unless you’re someone that Gayle really doesn’t want at her birthday weekend in which case I don’t want you there either.
So, that was Saturday. Now let’s talk about Sunday.
One week ago, I had never heard of Jose Gonzalez. That all changed last Tuesday when I was working the Music Information desk (which we call Minfo) and an attractive girl asked me to find his CD for her. I looked (we were supposed to have several) but I never did find the CD. Of course, his name was Jose Gonzalez so I figured he sucked because apparently I am a music racist. The next day, I was working Minfo again and we had a CD playing and I was like “Hey, this is really good.” It turned out to be Mr. Gonzalez and I went home and obtained his CD through legal channels which are nothing like downloading. Nothing at all.
I listened to the CD a bunch of times and definitely fell in love. It’s a very short CD, and most of it is just him with a guitar. There’s a random horn and a bit of percussion on a song of two, but he really carries the entire thing with his voice and the guitar work. It’s funny, being a snob, I probably wouldn’t pay much attention if someone told me to listen to a guy and a guitar, but this is really good. I would make the obligatory Elliot Smith comparison, but that’s too easy. Walters compared him to Damien Rice and I think that’s a little better, but there’s something about Damien Rice that made me want to punch him in the face and tear my brain out after listening to him for a few months. I don’t imagine I will be punching Jose in the face anytime soon.
So, I was in love with this guys CD and I noticed he would be playing at the Magic Stick on Sunday. “Yay!” I think, until I realize that without Gayle, I have no one to go to shows with. But, I remember that Walters sometimes likes music and even if he is a long shot, I decided to ask him if he’d go. Alas, he said yes, and I found myself in Detroit for a night of interesting music.
The Magic Stick website said doors were at 7. We showed up at 7:30, and there was a line. They didn’t let us in till 8:45. Thankfully, the show started at 9. Not so thankfully, the openers, Psapp, played a set which was far too long. I don’t know how to describe their music so I won’t. Let us call it eclectic. After that, Juana Molina took the stage and she played a nice mix of electronic/acoustic music and sang in Spanish. It was decent but the language barrier was still there.
At some point during the night, this exchange took place between Walters and I.
Ian: See that girl three people away from me?
Me: Yeah...
Ian: Is she pregnant or is she just really fat?
Me: Ian, she’s holding a bag in front of her stomach.
Ian: ....Oh.
Eventually my dear Jose took the stage. I’m too lazy to double check, but I think he’s Argentinean. He certainly looks like a Jose and when he talks he sounds like a Jose, but his singing voice is not very Joseish at all. Not that it matters but you might be a music racist, too.
Anyway, the word we will use to describe the show is intimate. It was Jose along on the stage with the guitar. One mic for him, one for the guitar. He sat on a chair which I thought was the most amazing thing ever. I’ve seen beautiful girls use tap dancing to substitute for drums and drunken antics atop a keyboard, but a chair? I loved the chair. He shyly made his way through the set, only stopping a few times to say the things he was supposed to say like “thanks”. I’m sure there are people in the world that might have complained because it wasn’t the most exciting performance, but I don’t think that mattered. His music is very simple and the show suited that. You could tell he was a bit nervous and I thought that just made the entire thing better. I’ve always wondered what it would be like to see someone like Conor Oberst prior to the popularity explosion and I think last night is the closest I’ve come. There weren’t many people at the show; less than 100 for sure and that’s what made it so intimate. Everyone there was seeing something special.
He’s definitely one of the most talented musicians/performers I’ve heard in a long time and I predict great things in the future. He’s working with a full-band called Junip and they’ve got an EP out which I haven’t been able to find, but if he sounds as good as he does with nothing but a guitar, I can only imagine what else he can do. I know that most people don’t really listen to me when I gush about music, but you should because I’m awesome and so is Jose Gonzalez.
A few other random things.
Blue Like Jazz by Donald Miller is the best book I’ve read all year.
The news about the second richest man in the world giving all of his money to the richest man in the world is pretty funny. But I also think it is quite cool that he’s giving so much money to (presumably) good causes because we all know how much I hate money.
As far as my list I’ve 101 things goes, I’ve presently completed four things.
1) Finish The Amber Spyglass.
2) Return Lunar games to Kyle.
3) Write a letter to a local government official.
4) Visit Toronto.
These are all complete. There’s a certain thing on the list which I’m contemplating giving up on entirely, and if I do I might cheat and add something practical/obtainable/not lame. We’ll see how that goes!
And thus concludes another fabulous installment of my LiveJournal. I would promise to write more because I really should, but it would probably be a lie.