Music

Melissa Etheridge Concert Review Calgary September 2 2014

Who knew she was playing at the Jube? Thanks Tanika for the picture and apres bus ride banter contributing to this Melissa Etheridge concert review! I came to learn of Melissa Etheridge’s solo gig on the same day through lucky happenstance over at Kijiji.  My spontaneous side said let’s go and moved to the kitchen to prepare a late afternoon office snack for later hitching a ride on transit to the show.

I expected a couple hours of Melissa sitting idly playing unplugged given no accompaniment.  However; instead she brought along two banks of guitars, a piano and a metronome like percussion and rhythm aid which enabled her to bring a big band feel to her vibrant hits of yesteryear.  That raspy rock voice was unmistaken as she took to the stage playing feverishly to a hard core Calgary following.  Her supreme stage presence and signature high key were on display early.  Softness and subtlety was also demonstrated in her piano cover of Joan Armatrading.   Harmonica and slide guitar added breadth and intricacy to melodies inspired by rich lyrics sometimes laden with social innuendo.  A Melissa Etheridge concert review would be incomplete without acknowledging her charming persona obviously enriched through life experience and motherhood.

Two new songs, “Take My Number” and “Monster” were showcased from her soon to be released album “This is MMelissa Etheridge Concert Review.E.”  Look to see the former hitting charts.   Other big hits included, I Want to Come Over, and Chrome Plated Heart.

Bring Me Some Water closed out the show prior to a most fitting encore.  Lead guitar skills were on extreme display with “Like The Way I Do”.  The ballet theatre turned absolute rock house for this ten minute tirade!  Particular explosive moments had her hitting high vocal notes with purity to the delight of an audience either stymied by her brilliance or lost in the uninhibited ecstasy of this masterful musical performance.

For upcoming tour dates:

http://www.melissaetheridge.com/tour/

 

September 2nd, 2013, Jubilee Auditorium, Calgary, Alberta Canada

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Right Honorable Joe Clark Meets Blair

Was strolling through the Eau Claire market in here in Calgary yesterday afternoon and there he was sitting by himself on a bench in the middle of the Eau Claire market.  I couldn’t believe it.  Walked about 10 feet past and thought, that couldn’t really be Joe Clark – a Prime Minister with one of the shorter tenures to power in our country’s history.  Turned back and introduced myself and thanked him for his public service.  I sat briefly and he turned the conversation directly to me asking about what I do and where I’m from.  Upon mentioning that I was born in Red Lake, I thought of the few folks who know where this is, he just may given his travels throughout his political career.   He had indeed but before we could follow up, Maureen was waving him on as she exited a shop.

Sport

Ad Hoc Tennis With Kids

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Sitting at the computer this Saturday night thinking….it’s way too nice out tonight not to get outside.  Reached for my tennis bag and headed over to the community courts.  Figured if there’s nobody there, I’ll just hit against the board.  Nobody there and the board was gone.  Had a silent chuckle.  It does indeed need replacing due to chips, cracks and holes.  My balls were forever veering off due from such.  Watched a group kick a soccer ball around and then looked back at the court and there were three kids sitting on one of the tennis nets.  Oops….they were gonna catch it.  Headed over and talked to them about how tennis players like to keep the net at the same height and hence nobody sits on it.  They asked what I’m doing here anyway.  I mentioned that I thought I might catch a game but nope.  They asked if I had another racquet and if they could play.  Hard to say no under the circumstances and yes my spare was in the kit.

It started out as three enthusiastic boys.  We set up mini tennis boundaries (the services boxes) for some back and forth.  There was some chat about whose turn it would be next.  Then “Slam” came along who set up the rules.  I thought how ironic of a boy’s name on this evening in the context of the most celebrated of tennis competitions.  There was going to be five misses each before they handed off to the next in line.  Skateboarders appeared and organized mayhem ensued.  The three boarders all of whom knew clearly that skate boarding is disallowed on the court but they cooperatively heeded my request to skate the perimeter.  Slam showed great promise while making his shots.  Then came along five more cousins including I’d say a three year old little boy and a six year old girl.  Of course all kids were tracking the balls and this girl intuitively knew exactly how to one bounce a ball back to me with the straight arm in the air just like at Wimbledon.  If she only knew she needs no ball girl lessons.

With dimming light I huddled up the clan and exclaimed they all have great potential to learn tennis skills and suggested that they inquire with their parents for racquets.  Upon packing my bag, a skateboarder gave me one last reason to smile when he whizzed by and said thanks for not yelling at us.

Philosophy

Ain’t No Such Thing As A Good Job

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Okay, this header is a direct quote from a mentor Dave Severn. Apparently, back when he had good English (Ain’t) he was broke.  In fact, the whole theme of this post reflects on Dave’s famous speech, “Pigs Don’t Know Pigs Stink”.  Dave has always been charismatic with his metaphors.

I started my own company back in 2002.  My disposition has always contrasted with a corporate culture loaded with onerous dogmatism and self celebrated ego.  If it’s a rat race, do you really want to participate?  Call it what it is and then get off your rusty dusty (thanks for this one too Dave) and do something about it.  The pilgrims with Columbus didn’t board up on three ships and come to America to get a job (defer once again to you Dave).  So, what’s holding you back?  Is the responsibility of self employment too much to bear?  Is it the prospect of running at least a couple of calendar quarters in the red?  What about the spouse?  Can he/ she eat wieners and beans during the last few days of the month in the beginning as a compromise for fulfilling a freedom dream?  I can’t remember the last time I showed up at the office before 8:30am.  How ‘bout you?  Believe me – sleeping in on weekdays really is a good thing. Rush hour traffic only became a reminder yesterday upon traveling to see a friend play tennis.

You can change jobs if you don’t like your situation.  You might just be going from bad to worse once you become witness to the underlying dysfunctional subculture of your new company.  These kinds of intangibles don’t tend to rear their ugly heads until y’er about two weeks in and good luck attempting to discern them during your job interview.  Then bite the bullet (Dave, you master of alliteration) and hang on for the ride….perhaps some sleepless nights and frustrations manifesting on the home front.  In the mornings while shaving you can rehearse the mantra, yes sir, yes sir, yes sir.  May just help you cope.

Capitalism doesn’t get taught in schools as you know.  Have you ever met a wealthy professor (again, your line Dave)?  The brilliant capitalists often tend to drop out of school because they have too much to offer and are anxious to get on with it.  Who develops the curriculum?  You guessed it and it’s a fat chance that they’ve ever drafted an invoice or sold a commercial good.

Your best years of your life are before 65, wouldn’t you say, so………?

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Media’s Contribution To Dysfunction

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I enjoy reading news articles on the internet.  However; it may become more difficult to access good articles in the future due to this incessant compulsion for news outlets to have us “register” for their service.  Up to now, clearing browser cookies regularly has reset the limited article count back to zero.   Advertisement dollars do not appear to be sufficient for news outlets and they want your credit card.   The quality of writing and information flow doesn’t seem to justify it.

On July 15th the Vancouver Sun has directed us to “How To Beat Grief of Lost Job”.  Folks might count themselves lucky rather than load internet space with unfounded grief. Also on July 15th Christie Blatchford from Postmedia News suggests that Calgary deserves to know more about the case of missing grandparents and child in spite of the Police Chief entailing that their murder prosecution would possibly be compromised.  What business is it of mine or yours assuming we have confidence in our police force!

Then there’s the story of the unripe square water melons aired by CTV News on this same day.  Apparently a Vancouver retailer is asking $199.99 for each.  If the purpose of this story to illuminate the idiocy of humanity, rest assured, we are witness to this on frequent days simply driving the city streets.

How about the J Crew story (once again on the very same day of July 15th) whereby eating disorder experts are expressing indignant retorts to the announcement that J Crew will produce 000 sized clothes for women.  Capitalism is a great construct.  Boycott their stores in protest by not shopping there!  I’m not stopping you and neither are other sojourners of cyber space.

…..and for the small sampling of stories not covered but of interest to a civil society seeking justice, security, growth, and perpetual liberty:

  1. Strength of monetary system
  2. Scrutiny of policy platforms of Alberta Progressive Conservative candidates
  3. Canadian arctic sovereignty
  4. Legal system’s shortcomings
  5. Public expenditures – waste versus value
  6. Reflections on successful functioning social, business, and governmental constructs

Message to the producers of news…you are losing your way and your credibility by seeking the incredulous rather than matters consequential of mankind’s future well being.