this is where i hideout

Monday, November 28, 2005

This was a relaxing day. I got up around 10. Sat in front of the computer for awhile. Decided to get something to eat and ended up cooking this steak dinner (actually, lunch) for myself. It was delicious. I had leftovers so I had the same thing for supper. I did a bit of studying for this Class 4 Exam I have to take tomorrow. That tired me out pretty quick so I had a 3 hour afternoon nap. Then I finished studying and decided to test my skill against some bots in Timesplitters (gamecube). Well I suck with guns, but I'm awesome with a baseball bat. Good ol' family entertainment. Now, I'm going to pick up my guitar and see if I can write some lyrics for this idea I have. After that I'll probably go to bed. And there you have it, a day in the life of Matt.

Saturday, November 26, 2005

So, it's been awhile. Alot has happened in the last couple weeks, and it's too daunting a task to write about it all.

Firstly, we went on tour. It was a blast. The driving thru blizzards, ice, and fog on three hours of sleep part sucked, but the shows were fun. It was soo good to be able to see so many people that I love. I only wish the visits could have been longer. Saskatoon was by far my favorite show....re-enforcing my belief that Saskatoon people are the best. And by Saskatoon, I really mean all of Saskatchewan. Damn I love the prairies.

We picked up Simon in Calgary and he came along for the rest of the trip, and then stayed with us in Coquitlam for the week. Man I love that guy. We had a great time, rode the bus alot, went to Victoria, went hiking, ate out, and played some music. I could write forever about this week, but I'm just not that motivated. Anyway, it was awesome.

Last night we played a show at Richards on Richards. It's probably the second largest live music venue in Vancouver (besides GM Place, of course). We were slated to open up for the Organ, and a band called Endurance. Load in was at 6pm, and the doors were supposed to open at 7, us on at 7:15. It was an early show because they turn the place into a hoochie bar after 10:30. Well for starters, 1 hour is not enough time to load in, set up, and soundcheck 3 bands. Usually they start around 3pm. So, I had my doubts about things right off the bat.

The Organ finished up sound check, took their stuff off the stage, and then it was time for us to rush and set up, so we could start playing on time. Well, we never even had a sound check. The guy who was doing sound checked the keys and the drum machine and that was it. So whatever, we started playing the first song. It went ok, except that the sound on stage was probably the worst we've ever had. I start singing the second song by myself, and then the band kicks in on the second verse. Enter extremely loud feedback. I had to stop playing and cover my ears. Ditto for the rest of the house. We tried the song twice, and it happened both times. Well, the soundguy is running around like a chicken with it's head chopped off, not knowing what the hell is going on, so he says we'll take 5. Ok fine. So we stand up there, looking like idiots while he figures out what's feeding back. Finds the problem and we're back on. I, and I think the rest of the band, are a little flustered by the whole incident, and the next few songs are pretty sloppy. By the end we had it back together, but man, what a show! There were a few people there, and we still got a few compliments and whatnot, but everyone knew that the sound guy did a terrible job, so as not to blame it on us.

Needless to say, our experiences at Richards have been less than good. I got to talk briefly with the ladies from the Organ after the show, and I must say, very nice people. You should check them out, here.

Friday, November 11, 2005

I'm all packed and ready to go. Here I come, Dalmeny! Woot.

So, I've had an interesting past couple days. As some of you may know, it was my birthday on Tuesday, and I'm now 24 years old. My day started off fine, except for the working in the rain bit, it was ok. Then on my lunchbreak, I decided to go to the bank and deposit a couple cheques. This is normally and easy task, drop the cheques in, and leave. But this time, after each time I tried, the machine said "Transaction is not valid". Hmmm. So I went into the bank and asked the teller if they were having trouble with the machine. She said they hadn't, and got her manager. Her manager informed me that the credit unions in Alberta and Saskatchewan had changed their system so that I could no longer deposit cheques thru a BC ATM. Well, that left me kinda hooped.

So I decided that I would just open an account with them, so at least I'd be able to cash the cheques. This was all going fine, until the account lady came back and told me that according the my credit history I couldn't be approved for a chequing account. I was confused as to why this would be. I've never missed a payment in my life! Granted, I am on a Debt Management Program with a company called National Credit Counsellors of Canada. That means that I pay these people a monthly payment, and they are supposed to forward that money in the appropriate amounts, to the appropriate creditors. Well, according to the report, I've missed several payments, and two of the accounts have even written off the balances! All of this happening, of course, in the last year, while I've been on the program with NCCC.

So folks, it seems to me as I've been ripped off. I wouldn't hesitate to call it fraud. I can't even get a freaking chequing account! Goodness. So I'm going to order a copy of my credit report for myself, and call each of the individual credit cards to confirm all of this, as well as contacting NCCC to see what they have to say. I really hope it gets fixed in one way or the other. I feel really angry, not so much about the money, but the fact that I trusted them, and signed a contract, and they didn't keep it.

Anyway enough complaining. After that all happened, I had to run around and do some errands before birthday dinner with Amelia. We went to Sammy J. Peppers and had steak. It was great. And now she's in London, in Europe for the whole month. Lucky girl (love ya).

We played a show at the Mesa Luna last night, and it was amazing. Thanks to everyone who came out! Sooooo much fun. All three bands before us were awesome, and the crowd was dancing, it was great. Here's a photo of Cam and I (thanks Juanita):

So we leave on tour this Saturday, playing in Kelowna that night, and then on to Regina, Saskatoon, Calgary and Edmonton. I'm excited. I'll keep you posted on all the fun as it happens!

Love,

Saturday, November 05, 2005

Ahh the week is over. I had to stand outside in the rain for way too many hours this week. I hate being wet. Especially wet feet. Once my feet get wet, I'm as good as done until they dry up. I really should have bought some rainboots. This is why I need an office job. Or any ol' inside job.

I've been thinking lately about what to do about work. You see, I had to quit Barnes Wheaton because Bella is going on tour, and then in December, Greyhound wants me to work full-time, and the pay is much better. So originally I had asked them for a leave of absence, but because I've only been there for 2 months or so, the union wouldn't let me. Stupid union.

Anyway, I may be able to go back in January if my position is still open, and if not, I need to look for something else........again. It seems I've been job-hunting for half a year. And this brings me to what I've been thinking about. I'm in a hole right now. I really don't have any other option than to get a lousy low paying job and keep working. Why is this you may ask? It's because I never went to school when I was younger, then I racked up some credit card debt, and now I'm working to pay it off before I can afford to go back to school (which I decided that I intend on doing, eventually).

Grrrr. This situation, though I try to hide it, really bothers me. I can stand doing a job I hate, as long as it pays well. I can stand doing a job I like that doesn't pay so well too. But when both things aren't there, I'm just not the same person. My personality changes and I get grumpy and irritable. I don't like that about myself, but it's true.

So listen up kids, go to school. Learn how to do something, anything.

Other than work, things are going pretty well. Bella's making progress, going on tour, etc... We're writing more songs and that's awesome. I've been doing some work on my own side project, which is also turning out well. My ladyfriend is amazing, although she's leaving me for a month to travel around Europe (lucky girl). I have a pretty rad living arrangment, a great roomate, and food in the fridge. So things aren't that bad really. It's just work.

Alrighty, well it's Saturday and I told myself that today I'd clean the house. So I should do that before it becomes the evening and I get to rent movies and hang out with Amelia. Later y'all.