Too Much Time.

Or too little time. I'll fill you in on my extra long Easter weekend shortly. 

Leash On. Leash Off.

Today there was a dog wandering the Play-On Street hockey tournament. It was a small brown pug like dog wearing a little brown coat to protect it from the pouring rain. It would wander around the main hockey rink (a bit of street they delegated the “main rink”). It was on the sidewalk, on the legislative lawn, and the rink.

It didn't strike me as odd at first, because lots of people let their dogs roam freely as the walk around the Portland of Canada. Eventually I realized there was a sense of urgency in the way the dog walk. Weary from wandering around in the driving rain and cold, but like it was looking for something. I didn't see an owner around, and I jumped to the conclusion this was a lost dog.

I dog-sit for my parents a lot, and I consider myself a semi-dog owner. I get to do all the fun stuff with their dog, and none of the bad. He's like a little brother. I wouldn't know what to do if he got out or if something ever happened to him. He's more than a family member to us.

I tried to call the dog over at one point, but it wouldn't come. Later I saw it following a couple people around, and the dog looked quite happy. I hope it found it's owners and vice versa. I couldn't imagine what kind of panic would be involved in a situation like that.

Maybe the owner should take more of a leadership role with their pet, and keep a more watchful eye on the dog. The dog is their responsibility, and they should be responsible for their pet. I don't care if you don't have your leash on the dog. Just keep an eye on your dog.

Almost Crimes.

In ten minutes my alarm programmed on my phone will go off. I have been awake for the last hour just laying in bed hoping to fall back asleep.

Remember when you were a kid and you woke up every hour on Christmas Eve hoping Santa had come so you can open your presents? Well that is how my last night was. "Did I miss my alarm? Is it time to get up yet? When can I go to the airport?"

Unfortunately I still have most of a work day before I can leave to check in at YXS to fly back to YYJ (airport speak). So I need to finish packing my bags, turn off the laptop, grab a shower, and blow this fascist popsicle stand.

Also I think this house is haunted. It sounded like someone was here last but I am the only person staying at the crew house. Now the house is whistling...loudly.

Beating the Heat.

Victoria is breaking heat wave records all over the place. Take that 1972!

One thing I've been noticing during this freakishly hot weekis that everyone Is complaining that they aren't sleeping well. Everywhere you turn there is some blogger, newspaper journalist, or television anchor who are self proclaimed "Coolologists."

What is a "Coolologist?" Well they are people who claim to know the secrets of keeping cool when your balls are literally sweating off your body. With quirky tips like put ice cubes in front of a fan (ghetto air conditioner) or closing all your doors and windows then blocking any sunlight from coming in (the simplest solution).

My solution to to not sleeping in the heat is a little more abstract. Go to an indie rock show in a poorly air conditioned Pilipino Cultural Centre and not go home till 1am. If you normally go to bed at 9:30pm this will throw you through a loop and you will fall asleep almost as soon as your head hits the pillow.

This is really a round about way to saying I saw an awesome and quaint indie rock show last night (July 29th, 2009). My friends Pupshaw (formerly Dock Currie) were the second act of a three and rocked the Pilipino Cultural Centre for about twenty five minutes. Despite a few technical problems they played to tens to fifteens of people who all seemed to enjoy the show even in the heat.

Small venues turn into sweat lodges fast and this attracts the odd meth addict who smokes up in the ladies room. But what is a rock show with out methamphetamines.

The band Pupshaw is what happens when smart people and genuine music fans make music. Something different that everyone seems to really enjoy.

Pupshaw is playing on July 31st at the Charles Dickens Pub in Sidney with Acres of Lions and Immaculate Machine. It's free and starts at 9pm.

Ice-age heat wave.

I often feel that my blood is to thick for the heat (or maybe it's the beard and the extra pounds). But this heat is unbearable. If you don't live in the Greater Victoria area you may not know what I'm talking about. Recently there has been a heat wave on the Peninsula and Island alike Tuesday breaking an all time high for June 2. 32 degrees Celsius. It is fucking to much.

Granted when I was at Sasquatch it was the same temperature if not warmer and I had to pay $6 American for a Powerade it was still tolerable. Maybe because of shorts, sandals, and not having to do any work in the sun with its rays beating down on me.

Now I work in my heavy denim coveralls, sleeveless filthy t-shirt, a sweat soaked ball cap, and do some pretty hard work in the sunshine. Today I took a few hose showers, drank my body weight in water (that's a lot of water), and reapplying sunscreen at least a dozen times. It really sucks the energy out of you. Yesterday I slept from 6PM to 6AM, but that was needed badly.

But you know what I can't complain. Sunshine makes me happy for the most part even when it is trying to peel the skin of my body.