"Uke 'til U Puke!"

"Argyll and plaid must not be layered!" ~ Kirsten

In half-tones, I started telling Catherine about my current read - Mordecai Richler's Cocksure (a pick prompted by Chris saying he was surprised I didn't recognise the author name, and then seeing the name at the library), but soon gave up. For one, Remedy was as bustling and noisy as usual, and for another, I couldn't stop laughing. Strange looks be damned, I continued in full voice about a warped post-sexual revolution world where a thirteen-year old girl had "come home with a scarlet T for “tease” painted on her bosom". About the main character who has so many prophylactics that they spill out of his closet. Why is this? Because the guys at the pub believe in him! And it would simply be impossible to refuse the unrequested, unrequired, pharmacist's hand-delivered packages at the pub. Ah, one's (sexual) image needs such up-kept.

After dinner (though tempted, we didn't get cake), we picked up Kirsten, and with bag full of gummy candies head off to our destination: Uke Fest 2008 at Likwid Lounge!

"Is she on pot?" ~ Kirsten, about Jill

The ceiling had a painted night sky. There was a balcony filled with plants. We skimmed through tight spaces and sat down at the table Will had saved for us. We talked, had drinks, and before we knew it, the first act started... sort of... maybe. I guess I shouldn't have been suprised with the amplified scratching and squeaks that competed with people's conversations. Even as he sat on the stage, hunched over a ukelele, his back to the audience, I still recognised him from Red Strap Market, showing off his works (that seemed to match the music). After another 10 minutes, he left the stage. Confused looks all around, when finally someone else came on the stage to make introductions for the event and Ukuleles for Peace.

One performer stepped up and called attention to the day September 11. One of her songs was inspired by the event... or more so, a person who had survived: "Family thinks I died and I decided to start a new life... I feel guilty because it was so easy."

"It has a uke solo and I'm so excited since I don't usually play for humans." ~ Jill Pollock

More performances, and it was getting late. I was getting a little restless. We had come for Doug Hoyer and the Be Arthurs, but then Jill Pollock, a babydoll in a touque, with her box named Clarissa and ukulele named Ethel, took the stage, and won me over almost instantly.

Jill: Uke Solo! *plink*

Jill: Uke Solo two!

She wasn't deep, but she was so much fun! She sang about the intensity (and fickleness) of teenage love, that if she were marijuana she would be free... and doing all that by cramming an incredible number of words and syllables into a bar of music. It made me forget the hour.

Finally, Doug takes the stage! There was clapping, many pictures, and a little bit of swooning (and not just from moi). Perhaps... perhaps... this tidbit from See Magazine's preview and interview with the Be Arthurs is true? "The Ukulele is the little guitar that will most certainly get you laid." These ladies, however, are not commenting.

Here be:

Arthurs, Monkeys, Transcendence, and a Machine of Destruction

The 27th annual Fringe Festival "The Big Kahuna" started yesterday! Kirsten, Catherine and I went to the opening ceremonies, and was treated to eye- and ear-fuls. We had missed the official parade, but still saw a procession of zombies, princesses, fairies, etc. as people in full costume gathered around the outdoor stage near the gazebo.



The Be Arthurs were the hosts for the night. They're a ukele cover band! I'd be looking forward to seeing them live since they performed "Toxic" on CBC radio, and they didn't disappoint. They treated us to a version of "Sexy Back" and others in between introducing artists and letting them do a short preview of their shows.


Jem Rolls was first (his show this year "How I stopped worrying and learned to love the mall"), followed by a clown love story. We decided to go pick up tickets and walk around the site. Encounters with some cute monkeys (The Monkey King and the Iron Fan Princess), and (below) some other characters followed.



Before leaving, of course we had to visit Shoppers Drug Mart for their magazines. Dangerous things! A new magazine call "Boho" caught our attention. Inside, a picture of Audrey Hepburn: extra points!

__________________________________

Janet, my new supervisor, came by to ask about Mom's doctor's appointment this morning. Her mom had died a few months ago and I was touched by her concern. I said Mom had to go in for some scans because she had some pain. I wasn't worried, because it didn't seem serious. She had responded, a little disturbingly, "That's how it starts."

Scenes from the weekend

A supervillian walks into a bar...

Rem passed his candidacy exam on Friday! We went to Remedy to celebrate. (Right: Rem plots his next move. / Left: A math joke I'm sure.)



Doug Hoyer presents...

Later, met Catherine and Jaclyn at Axis Cafe for Doug Hoyer's CD release party. Standing-room-only became sitting-on-the-stairs-at-the back-entrance-only. Was laughing, charmed by:


a) the ukulele (electric - who would have known?)
b) Quirky lyrics and subject matter (e.g. worries on blind dates "Dress too slutty? Nails too fake?", and "Tattoo" a love song which apparently started as a sociology essay)
c) Mild squirming from Catherine and Jaclyn (it's not easy seeing family grow up... and sing about making-out with their girlfriend).


Overall a fun show. I hear he plays the accordian too. Look forward to seeing that.



And then at Dim Sum the next day...


"I wish you'd never get married so you can spend more time with us." Oh, Celina. *sigh* At least someone is benefiting...




Then onward to books!


And more books... and even more books! It was the Raise a Reader booksale in one of the airport hangers at Kingsway. Volunteered to help out for a shift and was just amazed. *dinner-plate-sized-eyes expression* Tables and tables covered with books. Boxes and boxes of books (donated from all over) sitting under the tables and next to the walls. Steph and I were to restock and tidy the tables as books were being taken away. Sorting came along pretty naturally. Aside from ocassional helping people with a "Ah-ha! I know exactly what you're looking for" moment, it wasn't exactly exhilarating work... unless you saw the misfiled books as commentaries. "Beowulf" is Adult Non-fiction and "Drop Dead Gorgeous" a book of Religion and Spirtuality. Silliness can get one through so many things.




"She's thinking of a stratagem." ~ Amelie in Amelie


Beth sling-shots me onto the dance floor carefully aimed (that girl is strong). Seconds later, our target starts dancing with someone. Seeing this, I veer off, returning to our side of the room. Regroup. Second attempt: Aim, shoot... target leaves the room. Slightly relieved, I tell Beth it's just not meant to be. But she has another plan. In the end, it was set. Travis was confused. But he is coming to Feast.

Still Saturday, and we still have an engagement with Math and Music. To Allendale Hall we go for the Martingales. We witness the debut of Rem on washboard. And Troll on mic.



Well what do you think?


Celina invites me over for lunch. She cooks spaghetti with a tomato chicken sauce. Kind of goopy, but tastey. A promising start.



Back to the book sale this time to comb through and buy. I buy trash, none of the good stuff I was recommending just yesterday to other customers. Why is this? Deep down am I a commitmentphobe?

Must be clumsy hand syndrome...

Red eggs show up at the Chinese one-month-old celebrations for babies... and for Orthodox Easter dinner! Sophie's and her mom have created a wonderful meal (though no Battlestar Galatica). When we're ready to start, the red wine Eugene brought goes missing (Apollo wine no less). We find the wine (having disguised itself as a bottle of vinegar and fooled at least one of us), and start, with a game: Egg smashing! Well, a little more civilised than that. Each, with our chosen egg, are to... um... tap with vigour our egg to our partner's egg. The one with the uncracked shell is victorious. Steph and her super egg wins at the table and will be blessed with good luck for the rest of the year (that's my interpretation at least). We all suffer a little from clumsy hand syndrome. But even with nearly tipped wine glasses and flying broccoli, we manage to not make too big of a mess...

Afterwards we look at photos from Eugene's trip to Hong Kong. Turns out his sister knows cousin Daisy. And we take a couple of pictures of our own.