Last Spring I told you of the loss of an old High School friend Kirk “Big B” Ellard. He has been missed by many, but through his music he lives on. His brother, former band mates and friends organized a benefit concert that was held last night at Greenfield’s Pub in Barrhaven in his honour.

The first band of the set, Sal Piamonte Band. Great band, we had never heard them before, but were totally amazed.

When I asked Hubby if he wanted to go with me for a trip down memory lane, he was all for it. Of course, as the day went on yesterday with all the ice and the warmth of our house, it was a little harder to get him out the door, but once we were there we were both remembering why we love watching live bands play.

We were so thrilled to see all the guys come together to play their old tunes. If you grew up in my neck of the woods (Nepean) in the mid ’80s then I am sure you had at least heard of Fatal Mistake, if not actually heard them play. Into the ’90s they became Soul Tattoo and ironically my girlfriend and I saw them play at Barrymore’s when we decided we needed to see some good live music. I missed them play in Winnipeg when I lived there, only because I didn’t know they were there. Otherwise, I would have been right there.

From the original band of Fatal Mistake and Soul Tattoo: Jason Throop on drums, Matt Minter on vocals and Keith Ellard on guitar.

Greenfield’s was packed to a sold out audience and people waiting outside to get in.

I don’t know this singer, Luigi C. Saracino, but just look at him sing. He was so powerful and we really enjoyed this set.

Truthfully, it was a really awesome night. I got to see some old friends from school and remind Hubby of the people I used to hang out with. You see whenever we go out we run into people from High School that were Hubby’s age (he is 3yrs older) but rarely run into my old friends. Well last night it was payback, he got to be bombarded all in one night. For more photos from this set head over to my flickr page, there are a few more posted there.

And Thank you guys, for a wonderful Tribute and Celebration.

A friend of mine is asking for a little bit of help in finding a good home for her puppy, Meeka.  If you or someone you know is looking to add a furry family member please contact Nina and see if Meeka is a fit.

Thank you,

BeachMama

 Four month old female Chorkie.
In need of a good and appropriate home.

Meeka is a very smart, very affectionate and loyal puppy. She is a quick learner but does have some special needs. She is a very timid puppy and although she is extremely outgoing  and loving with people she knows, she is timid with strangers. She is happy to walk and play and do her business outside but does best in parks and quiet places.  She is frightened by loud traffic. She loves her toys and  shows a lot of intelligence and potential.  She needs to be with people and doesn’t like being alone.  She needs a family that will be able to provide her with the right training and confidence building.  My circumstances have changed  and I am unable to meet her needs.  If you know anyone or yourself who would love and nurture this lovely little girl, please contact myself or the Westboro Animal Hospital as soon as possible.

Nina    613-795-2474
Westboro Animal Hospital    613 722-5717

Last Tuesday an old friend from High School passed away. He had been quite sick for a year or so and finally his body could just take no more.

I feel terrible because despite being a photographer at school for yearbook and slideshows, all the photos I took (which I am sure there were some of him) remained at the school. And I didn’t carry my camera like an extra limb back then as I do now. So I have none to share of this man who was truly larger than life.

I will be the first to admit that I was not his best friend, but more of an acquaintance. His brother was actually more of my friend back in school but if you were friends with one you were friends with the other. They were a mere 11 months apart and inseparable. Together with two (and eventually a third) other guys they formed a band. I remember the first concert they performed at a local mall. We all got our parents to drive us out there to watch the guys perform. The mall was packed. To watch a bunch of fifteen and sixteen year old guys playing their hearts out to songs by U2, the Beatles, AC/DC and more as well as a few of their own. Over the years I went to countless of their concerts and saw them every day at school.

Then, High School was over. A few years went by and I did not see any of them. Until one night (possibly 1993/1994) when a girlfriend and I went to see a cover band play, and low and behold it was them! This was the last time I saw all of them together. Little did I know the only one I would see again and again over the years was Kirk.

Kirk and I would run into each other at the grocery store, the mall, around the neighborhood. We always chatted it up and found out what was new in each others lives. Never once did he say he was in a rush and had to go, he always had a moment to spare and check in. And always, always had a smile and a laugh to carry you through.

On Friday night, I got into the car and drove to say a last farewell. I was nervous I tell ya. I knew I was going to see people I haven’t seen in twenty years. Yes, TWENTY YEARS people!!! I am that old. I figured, I would go have a few words with his brother, Keith and his Mom and go on my way. Little did I know that I would run into and be recognized by half of our class. The turn out was amazing. Many of the old group have stayed in touch over the years, but I didn’t quite hang with that group all the time. One of the things that I found truly amazing on Friday night was meeting up with all these people that had their lives touched by Kirk. Touched in some way that, like me, made them feel like they should go. I didn’t know if I would be able to make it to the service on Saturday, so I said my good-byes and headed out.

I talked with Hubby about Saturday. We had to rejig some plans, but I was able to get out. I asked if he wanted to come as he had jammed with the guys years ago in his heyday of guitar as well. He was set to stay with the kids as he didn’t think it was fair to get my Mom to watch them after her three week stint with my nieces and nephews.

I arrived just in time, to see even more people from our class than the previous night. Kirk was involved in the Ottawa Music scene and had been Managing or Producing (not sure which is the appropriate title) a hot new band out of Kingston named Everlea who he had signed in this past year to a record label. His brother Keith not only played and sang for his brother but arranged for others who Kirk had worked with to sing. It was the most beautiful tribute I have ever seen. Not only did Keith tell us all how much he loved his brother, but he showed us as well and had us laughing just a little bit.

I could probably go on an on but, I should end here. I have been trying to write this post since Sunday morning and I just couldn’t get it out.

Kirk you were a great guy. You were kind, gentle and loved by many. You touched the lives of so many people and it was evident by the crowds that gathered for you that you will surely be missed.

Yesterday marked nine years that Hubby and I have been married!  We have been together for thirteen years this summer and have actually known each other for 25 years this fall, yikes, that is a long time.  Hubby and I knew each other in high school.  He is a few years older than I am and was in the same grade as my older Sister.  He did not, however, hang out with her and her friends.  But, I knew him because his best friend and my best friend were brothers.

Hubby played guitar and my buddy’s brother aspired to play (he still does, aspire’s that is.  He has a music room with something like ten guitars, impressive).  Hubby was in a band, and I used to go watch my friends who played in bands.  Throughout the years we would run into each other either at school, at buddy’s house, or around town.  Then one summer, thirteen years ago.  I was hanging out at buddy’s pool for the summer and his brother was home for a bit, so Hubby was hanging out there too for a while.  Eventually we decided to go to a movie, then dinner, then we just kinda became a couple.

Not long later we moved in together, not the smartest thing I have ever done, but thankfully it all worked out.     We got a dog, got married and moved to a new house.

Another dog and four and a bit years later, J was born. And another four years later Apple came into our lives.

They are the two best gifts I could ever ask for for our anniversary.  J, bless his heart, tried to understand the whole Anniversary thing and decided all on his own that he wanted to buy me a new lipstick.  So we went to the drug store (for diapers) and he helped me pick out a lipstick.  Then we went to the coffee shop and had a sit in coffee, as opposed to a drive-thru coffee.  He wanted to treat me yesterday and it made my heart full and happy.

Apple behaved well yesterday, so I was happy with that.  My Mom came and watched the kids so we could go to the Police concert.  It was fun, hard to believe that it was so long ago that we used to party it up to their music.  Fantastic show!  Sting could have used some back up singers and the sound wasn’t the greatest, but Hubby and I are starting to think it was our seats as no one else seemed to mind the sound at all. I have seen Sting in concert at least three times, maybe four, and he has always sung some faves from the old albums so it was great to hear them all together.

So that was our big ‘date’ night and it was fabulous.  And onward we march toward our big tenth!!

All I had to do was sing that one line to Hubby and he remembered the song. Thank you for all of you that put “Tubthumping” by Chumbawamba in my head, I have been singing that one most of the day. Which isn’t all bad, it helped keep me awake.

Yes, so Tom Cochrane, he is a Canadian who grew to fame with the band Red Rider back in the late 1970’s and early 1980’s. “Human Race” was actually released in 1983. Which is why I remembered it as an old song. I feel much older realizing how young I was when that song was playing on the radio.

Tom Cochrane was in Ottawa recently for a concert with another favorite artist of mine, John Mellencamp. Unfortunately Hubby and I missed that concert and are still upset about it as Tom Cochrane is actually touring with Red Rider again. Oh and how could I forget. Tom Cochrane is the one who wrote and originally sang “Life is a Highway” which is featured in the movie “Cars“.

Ok, so there is my trivia for today. I am wiped due to two kids who were awake most of the night last night and not at the same time. I will be officially introducing my Etsy shop tomorrow, Yay!

edited to add: I had a You Tube video up, but it totally messed up my page.  Not sure how to shrink those suckers down. 

Happy Valentine’s Day everyone.  I just had to take a photo of my cookies and had a cup of tea in my Grandma’s tea cup.  I haven’t used it in a long long time, but it was just the thing to do today.  It was quite strange to have such a tiny cup of tea after using such large coffee cups all the time.

And today arrived a new special addition to our house.  Since we have moved in this wall was designated as the ‘piano’ wall.   A very good friend of mine had decided to get rid of her piano.  And only a few days earlier I saw it at her house and thought how much I would love to play it.  But, I didn’t.  Then, I found out they were no longer going to keep it.  Hubby and I went back and forth on the piano but as you can see the piano won out.  I would include a photo of J and I playing our first duet together, but I have to draw the line at photos of me in my pj’s.  Instead you get to see how beautifully it fills up the wall.  It is also the perfect colour and the sound just carried through our house so beautifully.

I am a little rough in my playing, but it won’t be long before I get my groove back.  I am lovin’ the internet tonight as I don’t have any of my old piano books, but all my favourite songs can be found online.   I can’t wait until the sound carries outside and the neighbors stop to listen.  At least I hope they stop to listen, that is what used to happen when my Mom would play when we were younger.  There are lots of pianos out there, but you rarely hear them being played, I sure hope that never happens here.  And yes, again, Hubby wins out at being able to pick up and play as though he has played all his life.  He has never taken lessons.  Phoey.

Happy Valentine’s Everyone

Today, I had a moment. I just had to cry. Not one of those sobbing breakdown cries, but tears of sheer happiness.

J and I were in the car on our way to a store, we were listening to Jack Johnson’s Curious George CD. J loves Curious George, and now loves Jack Johnson. As we were driving along with the windows down, the breeze blowing in the car, J said, “turn it up Mommy, this is my favourite song”. So I turned it up and watched in my special J mirror as my son sang along to all the words with Jack. He was clapping his hands and snapping his fingers (or trying to snap) wind blowing in his hair, happy as a clam.

I couldn’t have asked for a more perfect moment, thus I was crying in my car while singing along with Jack Johnson. It was just a happy day.