David Jackson Round 2

So a couple months ago I had a chance to sit down with Guelph musician, David Jackson. We discussed his new album, his take on acting, and his writing process. We were also joined a ridiculously loud air conditioning unit on the back patio of the Red Brick Cafe. Unfortunately, due to the noise generated from said air conditioning unit, the video was pretty terrible. This is our second attempt.

David Jackson, Round 2

There was an attempt to include some very informal banter and all around tomfoolery to the tail end of this video but unfortunately we are still working out the camera's little attitude problem. 

Check out David's music on his Band Camp, and make sure you get out to his CD Release Party at Synn Studios in Downtown Guelph. That is happening on August 3rd. 

Pic of the Day #12 The Yesterday Edition

Kattina and I are on the Guelph Youth for Christ steering committee and last night we went to Erin to check out this excellent Mobile Youth Centre. Not only did the youth centre surpass our expectations but it had this little darling holding the door open for us!

Pic of the Day #11

Kattina and I took a really nice walk today. We noticed the house down the street which had just sold, has some creative new owners!

Pic of the Day #10

When we took possession of our Bagot St. apartment in January, our new found friends and our apartment's previous tenants let us know they had planted garlic in the front garden. They got this garlic from the farm they had their wedding on and they were sad to lose it when they moved. 

For the last 4 months I have watched and watered the garlic as it grew shoots and leaves above ground while the precious bulbs developed beneath. Today it looked as if they were ready to come up; so up they came. 

Kattina tied a pretty little ribbon around the garlic and we gave it to Andrew and Annica with a card. Coincidentally as we were headed over to their new home (which you can read about here!) to drop off the gift, they stopped in front of our current home for a middle of the road conversation! Wow!

Pic of the Day #9

So they did it! They tied the knot! Cam and Sonya Ogilvie are now a real deal of a married couple! It was such an honour and dare I say a blessing to shoot their nuptials. Cam and Sonya are friends from our neigbourhood and Kattina and I can't wait for some double dates!  

HUGE CONGRATULATIONS CAM AND SONYA!!!! 

The New Ugh-Inspiring Bud Light Lime Mojito

So it's a Friday night and we decided before heading to the Anti-Highschool Reunion we would have a couple-a-few beers.
We decided on some Muskoka Brewery offerings and the always refreshing Mill Street Organic when our eyes settled on a delightful green and silver can.
I quickly scooped up two of the "limited edition" beauties. It was the new Bud Light Lime Mojito. I had to call my friend Drew over for this unbelievable taste sensation!!

Side Note: Drew Shannon is a good friend, foodie, roadie, buddy, trucky, trekkie, wine loving beer snob.

As per the side note, it's obvious Drew raced over! I think it's only fair that I kick it over to Drew to let him fill you in on the truly once in a lifetime experience.

Drew here,

So, these delightfully designed cans opened with the refreshing pop of a very functional drink storage container.  You can't help but feel the aroma of chemicals that could be mistaken for lime flavour take hold of your nasal facilities.  You then start to tip this wide mouth wonder towards your lips and are taken to the world of a warm swamp where the company that makes that lime chemical dumps their toxic waste.  Pulling your lips away from the can and thinking that this experience can only get better, you are suddenly hit with the refreshing aftertaste of Colgate mint toothpaste.
 
If this isn't enough to make you run out and purchase this unique product there is more.  It is "light" so that means if you are watching your waist line you can enjoy as much of this product as you would want, and believe me that is not much.  I am also thinking that a toothpaste finish could be useful for activities after the beer is finished.  For instance if you get pulled over, a cop is more likely to think you have brushed your teeth recently rather than you have been drinking.  Your date may also like this feature.  However if she is hanging around with someone who drinks this you may want to re-consider your life.    

Thanks for popping by Drew and sharing what sounds like a magical Ugh-Inspiring moment. If you want to hear more profundity from my pal Drew, you can! Catch him Twitter @therustyshow

Pic Of The Day #8

There's gonna be a wedding. And we are gonna be there. Oh yes. We are.

Rebel Rebel and then Some

Where were you on June 27th?

I was at the EBar with my wife Kattina. We were there to see some of the areas Alt Rock offerings and ended up being somewhat pleased, a little bit confused, and a lot a bit entertained!

The Folk, a Guelph band fronted by one of two twin sisters, with the second of the twins on the guitar. When I heard twins, I thought Tegan and Sara. These guys were not Tegan and Sara. They also were not very folky. Their music is well layered and well put together but personally, I wasn't all that into it. Mind you, The Folk's bass player was definitely a show stealer!
The guy had his moves down. I swear he had a few rockstar kicks which got me going!
Unfortunately, a killer bass player isn't all it takes. I just wasn't drawn in by the music. I found myself trying to figure it out more than I found myself able to just sit and listen and enjoy.
But hey, they've got a new EP out and I would be lying if I said it wasn't worth checking out.

 

Fresh off the heels of playing NXNE, Dutch Toko lost me with their intro. I know it's kind of the norm now to be somewhat self deprecating and all, but when you start out by saying "hey we never practice and we're missing guys so...yeah..." you kinda start weak.

Although I was taken aback by the less than wise honesty, DT won me over by the end. Tight drumming and some excellent use of feedback was what got me. Oh yeah, the frontman had some killer footwork...baby Elvis! 

And then another...*ahem*...interesting announcement, "We have cassettes for sale at the merch table..." For $5 who could pass up a cassette? Oh yeah! I could.

So basically I've gone over the details of this show backwards for one simple reason; I think 

Rebel Rebel is the flippin' bees knees! These guys had me going. The four man one woman band from Toronto had an awesome stage chemistry and brought some killer tracks. I vividly remember standing at the bar and ordering a rye and ginger ale listening to the song Keep It To Yourself, and I was hypnotized. The synth was doing everything right and I was mesmerized by the post-rock sounds that had invaded the space so stealthily. I was sure to talk the group after and I let them know how impressed I was. Even though they were the opener, Rebel Rebel was my favourite act of the night. Oh and they had an accordion...so...

Check out the EBar every Thursday for live entertainment. If you see me around, don't be shy. Have a drink with me! I'd love to meet you. 

Pic of the Day #7

My wonderful wife is a big fan of flowers. And my wonderful wife likes to put her wonderful flowers in our wonderful fridge to keep them wonderfully fresh! Isn't she wonderful?

Pic of the Day #6

Slack lining over the Speed River is a tough thing to do. Some friends from the Guelph Grotto invited me out to take a few pics of their attempts. If you want a free phone, you can dive down off the pier to try and find Tadek's. 

Pic of the Day #5

My brother, Gavin, just recently returned home from getting his fire fighter certification in Brockville, ON.
We haven't seen him since Christmas and it was really nice that he came over tonight and destroyed us in Settlers of Catan.
He didn't leave until about 1:20am and even then he left in style, riding his bike off our porch. I thought I could snap a neat shot. Yeah it's noisy and the post was done in hurry (because I want to SLEEP!!), but it is a great picture of my brother grabbing life by the horns.
I love you Gavin! Brothers forever!

Pic of the Day #4

This is usually where I start and end every day...so...

Pic a Day #3

Dave Jackson is back speaking to me about his upcoming album. The interview is in the editing room so be ready to watch!!

Pic-a-Day #2

I'm not exactly sure what this is and if I had to guess I'd say it's a little oven.
The beautiful thing about this item is that it doesn't matter what it is, but what matters is how it came to be.
A friend of ours named Steven has put his whole self into a welding course over the past few months and recently passed his exam!!! We even celebrated with a potluck dinner at the Kelly-Campbell House down the road.
He worked his butt off and it was great hearing the enthusiasm in his voice when he explained the technique involved in making this little bitty oven.
So again, sometimes the how overshadows the what.


Congrats Steve!

Zach C.

A Pic a Day? I think I can.

Ever walk up to group of kids sitting in the street and ask to take their picture? Well, I did. It took some convincing that I wasn't "pedo" but I was able to get them to chill and keep doing what they were doing...which was literally sitting in the street.

It was a good shot of the day and it got me warmed up to getting out of the car when I see something worth shooting.