/ NOVEMBER 2008

+ NOVEMBER 26TH, 2008           NOW PLAYING:  Calexico - Carried To Dust


I'm having a hard go of it these days, wrapping my head around the passage of time.  More specifically, how it is that I can be so aware of the minutes as they pass, and then so unaware of the same thing on the other end -- how quickly all that time has added up, I mean.  Sam is SIX MONTHS OLD today, a fact that is completely blowing my mind.  I still feel exactly like that deer-caught-in-the-headlights Dad dude that was handed a tiny baby infant, the one who asked, "you're sending us home with this thing, unsupervised!?"  Crazy.  It's been a whirlwind, it's been painfully slow.  To call it a challenge would be an understatement, but calling it an absolute joy would do a disservice to that very phrase and the emotional reality of this discovery and growth. 

It probably won't surprise some of you that I teeter from side to side, constantly crossing over each line between overjoyed and overwhelmed...but I'm still surprised how little I've come to accept things as being that way.  One moment Sam is upset 'cos you won't let him have that thing he wants (but shouldn't have), and I automatically project a yet-to-happen hardware store meltdown two years from now and wince at the inevitability of having to deal with that.  Then he looks at me three seconds later with those baby blues and goes, "badee-booma-mooo-armma!" and I'm pretty much reduced to a puddle of mushy human love. 

Yep...that's my big boy!  He's done growded up so fast.

Much Love & Stuff;
COOP

+ NOVEMBER 21ST, 2008                              NOW PLAYING:  Holy F%*k - LP


*UPDATE* OK, so I stand corrected (see post below).  Everyone has let me know what Twilight is.  Fine.  It's Harry Potter with vampires.  It's 90210 with fangs.  Right.  Gee, I'm saddened to learn how empty my life has been living in a Twilight-free world all this time.  Oh no, I think I'm gonna cry human tears.  

OK, so I promise no more bitchin' about disposable pop culture flavours of the month.  You come here for music, right?  So check this out.  I just recorded a new cover tune, so swing on by the COVERS PAGE and download it.  It's a tune called "None Of The Above" by one of my favourite Canadian bands, The Weakerthans.

Coincidentally, one song by The Weakerthans has more literary worth than the entire Twilight series combined.  If you were a horny teen vampire, that fact would certainly drive a stake through the ol' garlic bulbs, eh!!?

Much Love & Stuff;
COOP

+ NOVEMBER 20TH, 2008                              NOW PLAYING:  Holy F%*k - LP


This is how insane celebrity stalking/culture has become.  I was grabbing a few grocs at the groc shop and on the hi-fi over my shopping, I hear some radio commercial where an excited voice-over dude announces, "...if you do blah blah by blah blah, you could win an all access pass to see Samantha Ronson at blah blah!" 

Screech.  Put down that banana, sir. 

Did he just announce that someone could win tickets to see Samantha Ronson!!??  I'm not sure what's worse.  The fact that someone would clamor to see a show featuring a "performer" whose sole reason for notoriety is that she's f%$king Lindsay Lohan?  OR, is it worse that I know who this woman is!??  OK, I'm ashamed that I know that...but still.  Samantha Ronson!!?  WTF!!??  I have faith that no one will show up and she will be K-Fedded out of the limelight, stat.  Hopefully the same thing with Lohan, seeing as she actually hasn't done anything worthy of attention in a long time. 

I also walked by Much Music last week and saw easily the most insane lineup of SHEEP young people since the Nonuts Brothers came swingin' by last summer.  It was pure insanity.  I had no idea what they were waiting for, but I'm picturing like Justin Timberlake or some other megawatt celeb.  Well, I read today that it was some actor dude from an upcoming show or movie (or something) called Twilight.  What the f*&k is Twilight?  I hate teenage pop culture garbage pretty intensely, but in order for a celebrity to foster that kind of reaction, it's become big enough that it registers on the average person's radar even if they can't stand it.  No matter who you are, you can't escape from seeing mention of the Gonad Brothers or High School Spewsical (and coming up with fun, dirty ways to make fun of them to assert your masculinity).  I also read that dude was signing autographs.  He wasn't playing his guitar or doing charade-like scenes from the movie...he was just standing there going "d'er" and the throng was losing it.  Unreal.  One would have thought The Beatles had risen from the dead...but nope, it was just some douchebag mop who the machine has appointed The One...for now.  And the teenage girls rejoice!  

I probably should clear up that I'm not hacking on teenage girls in general.  I love teenage girls!  Especially the sexy 18 year old ones that wash my car.  I'm just kidding!   I don't even have a car!  OK...I can't stress here enough, that I'm simply stating that I don't mind 18 year old ladies washing my stuff.  I get very dirty and need some help in the tub sometimes.  That's all. 

Much Love & Stuff;
COOP

+ NOVEMBER 13TH, 2008  NOW PLAYING:  Ryan Adams - Cardinology


As you know, I'm a devout man of science, and in my usual sciencey ways, I had an idea this morning for a fun social experiment: 

I'd like a bunch of people to give birth to twins (that's right, just pop 'em out willy-nilly), and name each twin a polar opposite (positive & negative) social characteristic from the other.  Rather than, say, Bill or Sarah.  C'mon, won't you join me on this magical journey of science and wonder!? 

OK.  For example, imagine twin children named in pairs of the following:

Twins #1
Skinny & Fatty

Twins #2
Smarty & Dummy

Twins #3
Criminal & Future President (or, F.P for short!)

Twins #4
Racist & Tolerant

Twins #5
Laidback & Uptight

Twins #6
Drunky & GoodieGoodie

I think this experiment could easily put to bed the whole "Nature vs Nurture" debate.  This is the kind of revolutionary thinking that I'm known globally for.  Consider the new meaning and social context that common phrases would take on for the mental health, self-worth and confidence for each child. : 

"You're not leaving the table until you finish your plate, Fatty! Why can't you be more like Skinny!?"  Or how about,  "That's not a nice thing to say, Racist! Look at Tolerant, she's always polite to everyone!"

Even the other way around could send weird messages.  Tell Laidback that she really needs to relax more, take some things less seriously would you?      

OK, maybe we could use cats or something instead. Oh, how about monkeys!  Did you know that monkeys use bananas and rude facial gestures as coping mechanisms for loneliness?  Yep, you learn something new every day.  It's my pleasure to spread my knowledge and insights with you all.  We take our duty seriously here at SC Headquarters. 

I know, I said "duty" you juvenile sunsabitches.    

Much Love & Stuff;
COOP

+ NOVEMBER 4TH, 2008  NOW PLAYING:  Valery Gore - Avalanche To...

I'm sitting here this morning a little burnt out and tired, but feeling super inspired, grateful and fulfilled by a whirlwind day of music and spirit in Midland and Penetanguishene ON. 

It was an honour to meet, talk, teach, learn, and play music with such bright young people.  I won't forget the experience.  I sure wish I had an outlet like Stellula Music In Schools when I was in high school, and I hope those involved recognize what a unique opportunity they have in front of them.  For schools it's always been football games, track meets, and all sorts of organized (and recognized) outlets for young people to put their energy into.  That's all fine and dandy, but this is the first of its kind that supports the creative pursuits of young people in the school, but OUTSIDE the regular classroom.  It doesn't matter if someone wants to have a career in music, or just want to be creative with their friends...Stellula can help people focus on their passions, and that's the most important part of it all.  Even if it just makes you realize, "wow, this isn't for me!" you're already a step ahead from the legions of confused young people who have no idea what they want to do with their lives.

I watched THIS AMAZING & INSPIRING VIDEO from a man who believes (and makes a very solid case for), that the standard schooling system is killing the creativity in our children.  He also forecasts the resulting impact it has on the future of mankind.  It's not heavy, it's actually really funny and eye opening.  It's on the long side, but totally worth it. 

I love people that love music.  Whether you're an aspiring artist, or if you just get really into music as a listener, you're my kind of person and I want to spend more time with all of you.  I feel so blessed to have such wonderful musical friends (and I seem to be constantly meeting more of you) and supportive friends, family, and fans that I don't know what the hell is going on anymore.  I feel so fortunate to get to play my songs with (and to) you all.  Hoowee, what else could a music guy ask for?

Our nice friend Sean McGaughey from Ductapeguy.net kindly recorded the shows and I'll put some of that up here soon.  (Hey, go check out Sean's great site - it's loaded with excellent podcasts containing interviews and performances from tons of great roots artists around Ontario).  In listening back to some of the live material, there's a spot where I say something normally silly and stupid, then at which point you can clearly make out my Dad saying, "He's yours, Carol."  What a guy.
 
Oh yeah, tonight was Sam's first concert, and it was one of my own.  He slept right through it.  "He's yours, Stace."

Much Love & Stuff,
COOP

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