Today was awesome because I wore flip-flops.
My feet need to be free. They hate nothing more than being suffocated by a sock and then shoved into the claustrophobic confines of a shoe. I would go everywhere barefoot if it weren't for human beings getting in the way, what with their broken glass, their discarded chewing gum, and their paved everything. So, one thing I look forward to every spring is the first day that it's warm enough to wear flip-flops. Feels totally awesome.
12 April 2011
11 April 2011
10 April 2011
Today was awesome because I learned how to write my name in a new language.
I work with a young woman named Yuki, originally from Japan. As soon as the shop quieted down today I turned to her with a piece of paper and pen in hand and said, "Yuki! Can you teach me how to write my name is Kanji?!"
Sweet, little Yuki took the pen from me with a smile and wrote out three characters to form my name. Below, you`ll see my attempt at writing JOZEF in Japanese Kanji.
I work with a young woman named Yuki, originally from Japan. As soon as the shop quieted down today I turned to her with a piece of paper and pen in hand and said, "Yuki! Can you teach me how to write my name is Kanji?!"
Sweet, little Yuki took the pen from me with a smile and wrote out three characters to form my name. Below, you`ll see my attempt at writing JOZEF in Japanese Kanji.
10 April 2011
09 April 2011
Today was awesome because I heard new music by one of my favourite bands, Ben Harper and Relentless7.
09 April 2011
08 April 2011
Today was awesome because of a random act of kindness.
As I mentioned, I just started a new job. A job at a tea shop. A job that requires me to wear all black. I don't own a lot of things because I move around a lot and I can only keep what I can carry on my back. I didn't own any black clothing. So, I went to a secondhand clothing store and picked out a couple of pairs of pants, a couple of shirts, and the only black pair of shoes in the store that fit me.
Tonight I went to The Fernwood Inn for a CouchSurfer's meet-up. A bunch of people from the Victoria CouchSurfing group showed up, including a guy named Dylan whom I had never met before. In spite of never having met, Dylan brought me a nice, black button-up shirt I can add to the work rotation.
As I mentioned, I just started a new job. A job at a tea shop. A job that requires me to wear all black. I don't own a lot of things because I move around a lot and I can only keep what I can carry on my back. I didn't own any black clothing. So, I went to a secondhand clothing store and picked out a couple of pairs of pants, a couple of shirts, and the only black pair of shoes in the store that fit me.
Tonight I went to The Fernwood Inn for a CouchSurfer's meet-up. A bunch of people from the Victoria CouchSurfing group showed up, including a guy named Dylan whom I had never met before. In spite of never having met, Dylan brought me a nice, black button-up shirt I can add to the work rotation.
08 April 2011
07 April 2011
Today was awesome because I locked myself out of the house.
I sat down on the front steps and waited for one of my housemates to come home. Out of my backpack I took a brown, manila envelope and a pen. On the back of that envelope I started to scribble down a country song about forgetting one's keys...
Where would I be without you?
I found out the hard way today
Sittin' alone with nowhere to go
Wishin' there was some other way
I didn't have much time
and I left you behind
I didn't mean to, but look at us now
There's a wall between us
with a door I can't break down
But I know that I'll get back to you somehow
It's getting colder out on these steps
The sun dips into the sea
Warmth is what lies behind that door
To my happiness, you are the key
I didn't have much time
I sat down on the front steps and waited for one of my housemates to come home. Out of my backpack I took a brown, manila envelope and a pen. On the back of that envelope I started to scribble down a country song about forgetting one's keys...
Where would I be without you?
I found out the hard way today
Sittin' alone with nowhere to go
Wishin' there was some other way
I didn't have much time
and I left you behind
I didn't mean to, but look at us now
There's a wall between us
with a door I can't break down
But I know that I'll get back to you somehow
It's getting colder out on these steps
The sun dips into the sea
Warmth is what lies behind that door
To my happiness, you are the key
I didn't have much time
and I left you behind
I didn't mean to, but look at us now
There's a wall between us
with a door I can't break down
But I know that I'll get back to you somehow
It's a work in progress.
07 April 2011
06 April 2011
Today was awesome because of what I saw at this open mic night.
After work (first day on the job, by the way) I met a couple of friends at the Ocean Island Inn. It's the main backpacker's hostel in town and Wednesday night is Open Mic night. Another night full of incredible music, but one young lady really stood out from the rest.
As she was called to the stage she did a little, awkward dance to get some nerves out. It was adorable. Sat on a stool, legs crossed, guitar across her lap. Toque pulled down low to her eyebrows, faux-fur around her neck, a zip-up hoody and jeans on. She spoke up to introduce herself and her first tune, an original, and described the motivation behind it. The she began to play. Then she began to sing. And as fast as the first few words left her mouth the rest of the room went dead silent. All eyes, and ears, were locked on Lily.
She played three original songs, all of which were beautiful, clever, well-written, sounded completely original, and above all else, were wonderfully performed. Her voice was her voice. Constantly changing levels with complete ease- enjoyment, even- and full of grace, grit, and soul, sometimes a little of all three at once. She also demonstrated a lot of humour, hope, and love in her lyrics and demeanor. She communicated with the audience through her music and her words but also with her often animated facial expressions.
Lily took her bow to a roaring applause. Well-deserved. She's the best unsigned unknown I've seen since moving here and I've seen many, many acts deserving of a record deal. Everyone wanted a piece of Lily as she took back her seat in the crowd. "Amazing!!" they shouted. "You're wonderful!", "That was incredible! You're a star, Lily!" they cried. Humbly blushing, Lily thanked them kindly, hugged many and showed genuine shock at all the adoration. Her sincere modesty was endearing.
A little later I noticed her leaving for the night. I couldn't miss my chance to talk to her so I jumped out of my seat and chased her down, much like a crazed fan would do, and I was. Caught up to her in the hostel lobby, introduced myself and told her exactly how I felt about her music. Know what she did? She kicked one leg out in front, fist-pumped, and made some kind of happy dance out of it. Really cute! I asked, "Where can I see you play again?" She said, "I don't know!" I asked, "Do you go to any other open mics?" A little more concerned she said, "I don't know!" I asked, "Do you busk?" A little more concerned she said, "I don't know!" Clearly overwhelmed I calmed her down and asked her to explain. "This is only the second open mic I've played," she said. She seemed like she didn't really understand all the attention she was getting. "I just work at a tea shop."
As it happens, I also work at a tea shop (first day on the job, remember?). We both work at Teaopia! I, at one location, and she, at the only other location in town. We were both a little impressed at the coincidence (although on the inside I was grumbling that she didn't work at the same one as me) and it kick-started a little conversation. Time for her to go, she asked for my e-mail address, so I wrote it down for her (and my mobile number too).
Lily left me feeling completely in awe, completely inspired, and probably just a little bit in love.
After work (first day on the job, by the way) I met a couple of friends at the Ocean Island Inn. It's the main backpacker's hostel in town and Wednesday night is Open Mic night. Another night full of incredible music, but one young lady really stood out from the rest.
As she was called to the stage she did a little, awkward dance to get some nerves out. It was adorable. Sat on a stool, legs crossed, guitar across her lap. Toque pulled down low to her eyebrows, faux-fur around her neck, a zip-up hoody and jeans on. She spoke up to introduce herself and her first tune, an original, and described the motivation behind it. The she began to play. Then she began to sing. And as fast as the first few words left her mouth the rest of the room went dead silent. All eyes, and ears, were locked on Lily.
She played three original songs, all of which were beautiful, clever, well-written, sounded completely original, and above all else, were wonderfully performed. Her voice was her voice. Constantly changing levels with complete ease- enjoyment, even- and full of grace, grit, and soul, sometimes a little of all three at once. She also demonstrated a lot of humour, hope, and love in her lyrics and demeanor. She communicated with the audience through her music and her words but also with her often animated facial expressions.
Lily took her bow to a roaring applause. Well-deserved. She's the best unsigned unknown I've seen since moving here and I've seen many, many acts deserving of a record deal. Everyone wanted a piece of Lily as she took back her seat in the crowd. "Amazing!!" they shouted. "You're wonderful!", "That was incredible! You're a star, Lily!" they cried. Humbly blushing, Lily thanked them kindly, hugged many and showed genuine shock at all the adoration. Her sincere modesty was endearing.
A little later I noticed her leaving for the night. I couldn't miss my chance to talk to her so I jumped out of my seat and chased her down, much like a crazed fan would do, and I was. Caught up to her in the hostel lobby, introduced myself and told her exactly how I felt about her music. Know what she did? She kicked one leg out in front, fist-pumped, and made some kind of happy dance out of it. Really cute! I asked, "Where can I see you play again?" She said, "I don't know!" I asked, "Do you go to any other open mics?" A little more concerned she said, "I don't know!" I asked, "Do you busk?" A little more concerned she said, "I don't know!" Clearly overwhelmed I calmed her down and asked her to explain. "This is only the second open mic I've played," she said. She seemed like she didn't really understand all the attention she was getting. "I just work at a tea shop."
As it happens, I also work at a tea shop (first day on the job, remember?). We both work at Teaopia! I, at one location, and she, at the only other location in town. We were both a little impressed at the coincidence (although on the inside I was grumbling that she didn't work at the same one as me) and it kick-started a little conversation. Time for her to go, she asked for my e-mail address, so I wrote it down for her (and my mobile number too).
Lily left me feeling completely in awe, completely inspired, and probably just a little bit in love.
06 April 2011
05 April 2011
Today was awesome because I got over "the hump."
Exactly five months to the day since I started teaching myself guitar I got up on stage and played my first open mic. Yeah-- I played an open mic!!! Thanks to my friend Matt, who really encouraged me to get up there, and accompanied me on another guitar. I played rhythm and sang, Matt played lead guitar.
The songs were:
Wonderwall, in the style of Ryan Adams
Road Regrets, by Dan Mangan
It wasn't perfect. I was pretty nervous and I messed up a few words in Wonderwall, and hit the wrong chord a couple of times in Road Regrets, but by the time it was all over and I returned to my seat, I just wanted to go up and do it again!! But better!!! I'm learning to accept that it doesn't have to be perfect, screwing up is part of the learning process, and everyone is very supportive when you're a beginner.
Exactly five months to the day since I started teaching myself guitar I got up on stage and played my first open mic. Yeah-- I played an open mic!!! Thanks to my friend Matt, who really encouraged me to get up there, and accompanied me on another guitar. I played rhythm and sang, Matt played lead guitar.
The songs were:
Wonderwall, in the style of Ryan Adams
Road Regrets, by Dan Mangan
It wasn't perfect. I was pretty nervous and I messed up a few words in Wonderwall, and hit the wrong chord a couple of times in Road Regrets, but by the time it was all over and I returned to my seat, I just wanted to go up and do it again!! But better!!! I'm learning to accept that it doesn't have to be perfect, screwing up is part of the learning process, and everyone is very supportive when you're a beginner.
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