tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-39856107076989335642024-02-07T22:08:25.584-08:00Hella StellaUndercover songwriter with a potty mouthAndrea...http://www.blogger.com/profile/05506115339952652388noreply@blogger.comBlogger479125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3985610707698933564.post-28767821041976383892012-05-14T07:31:00.000-07:002012-05-14T07:33:11.357-07:00AbyssWhoah. I go away for six months and Blogger does a complete overhaul! Hopefully I'm writing in the post-writing place and not in the words-will-get-sucked-into-the-abyss place.<br />
<br />
Inspired by <a href="http://www.natsbrain.com/from_nats_brain/">Nat</a>, who recently came back to the interwebs after some time away, I wanted to check in and say hello. Maybe also explain why I disappeared. I've been blogging in some form or another for six or seven years, and now nada. It's a little weird.<br />
<br />
Basically, I got over-saturated with online things. The big ones: Facebook (I like it but it's too much sometimes), and Twitter (I hate it no matter what I do, but I stay on for music stuff). Google Reader, the music website, a million email addresses, YouTube this and that, work stuff, iPhone, BlackBerry, blah blah blah BOOM.<br />
<br />
My head explodes.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoxU6WVXfjturIZ01I3kyoAYaSdXQfKSk7VXMaw1eVew6yUUM-YQPmQuj0NjSCPMBWdIwDqpxsTiboZTnBDI6SMu6HBDdFyTa3uH8rc4WVrPhT6n6qovuCMdtwaes_ROsKNEdU85hLuTsX/s1600/IMG_0975.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoxU6WVXfjturIZ01I3kyoAYaSdXQfKSk7VXMaw1eVew6yUUM-YQPmQuj0NjSCPMBWdIwDqpxsTiboZTnBDI6SMu6HBDdFyTa3uH8rc4WVrPhT6n6qovuCMdtwaes_ROsKNEdU85hLuTsX/s320/IMG_0975.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
I have to seek out time in the hammock, or time cooking big elaborate meals, or time dusting every inch of my house just to get some reprieve. Rest for my brain. I don't want to have the instinct to constantly check in, and I'm fighting it. It doesn't help that I've changed jobs to something absolutely MENTAL where I'm a hundred times busier than I used to be. A lot of mandatory online work rolled up into that. It's got me thinking seriously about formulating some sort of wild exit plan to Get Myself Away. My BH is working both his dream jobs. Maybe stopping my day job isn't so crazy after all.<br />
<br />
Then there's the other job. The songwriting one. For someone who spends a lot of her time performing, it might surprise you to know that I am a reluctant self-promoter. I don't actually want to talk about myself constantly, but I have to in order to spread the word about what I do. There's no label to do that for me. I either talk and talk and talk, or there is radio silence, pun intended.<br />
<br />
It's like a battle, Western style, pistols and spurs and chaps (mmmm, chaps). My extroverted side is the one on stage, who is loud and wildly inappropriate. My introverted side likes hibernation, quiet, and being wildly inappropriate. Those two sides fight a lot about the amount of time I spend online. My extroverted side likes Facebook et al. My introverted side likes Goodreads.<br />
<br />
Anyway, long story short, my head went BOOM and I decided to cut back a bit. This blog got the short end of the stick, but who knows? Maybe next week I'll wake up and want to talk your ear off again.<br />
<br />
Until next time!Andrea...http://www.blogger.com/profile/05506115339952652388noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3985610707698933564.post-29926759638636122542011-10-15T19:40:00.000-07:002011-10-15T20:00:16.438-07:00Niagara, Nowhere<div>So I know I'm dropping the ball with my little corner of the interwebs over here, but admittedly I'm stretched a bit thin these days and the blog is suffering.</div><div><br /></div><div>However! Luckily for any of you who still want some updates, I'm currently sharing a hotel room with my dear friend Shawna. And Shawna wants some goddamn updates. Who am I to deny her? Also, she's glaring at me right now.</div><div><br /></div><div>Sorry, Shawna.</div><div><br /></div><div>We're in Niagara Falls. My phone keeps trying to auto-correct "Niagara" to "nowhere." It's not entirely wrong. Strange place, this small-town-cum-Vegas-lookalike. What is up with this place? It's all confused. Natural beauty mixed with wax museums.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOzPuwTUwSM4bYzGTWVvgIDx45E4JqBuaPiY82VASkaO5oqbXQX-5Ndz2l4vGqoI4m9513J4xD96N0HZ9K0NhzpjqR5lG4cXF8ciCzfeCNbj7xOtt5jAd7jAfBc60BhqahJCbGGvRAmiCF/s1600/niagara.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOzPuwTUwSM4bYzGTWVvgIDx45E4JqBuaPiY82VASkaO5oqbXQX-5Ndz2l4vGqoI4m9513J4xD96N0HZ9K0NhzpjqR5lG4cXF8ciCzfeCNbj7xOtt5jAd7jAfBc60BhqahJCbGGvRAmiCF/s320/niagara.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5663915411175442658" /></a><br /><div>We're here for a folk festival conference. Honestly, it's worth being a folk musician just to attend these conferences with some legitimacy. They are the most fun thing... Ever. Worth the lengthy and expensive train ride. Worth the lack of sleep. Worth carting around a banjo on my back everywhere I go.</div><div><br /></div><div>Because here? Magic happens. Magic like this impromptu jam session in the hallway of the hotel.</div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN1Mybkc9miYrdTsfb6OPMV6AR6nhoy-o4WKAJqlc-Fjqo2oILmFU240J762F6mh1yv-ktAtRUptZC5tV1R1JSSmoAhI2qxhxKFVbe6JWx2wpfANSlT3w5vflxTdlJLlgfSV0XVYdgJGL0/s1600/jam.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN1Mybkc9miYrdTsfb6OPMV6AR6nhoy-o4WKAJqlc-Fjqo2oILmFU240J762F6mh1yv-ktAtRUptZC5tV1R1JSSmoAhI2qxhxKFVbe6JWx2wpfANSlT3w5vflxTdlJLlgfSV0XVYdgJGL0/s320/jam.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5663915396566884898" /></a><br /></div><div>I counted one clarinet, two banjos, three accordions, three fiddles, one guitar, one upright bass, one small drum kit, one trombone.</div><div><br /></div><div>This is just in the hallway. Impromptu jam. Over an hour long.</div><div><br /></div><div>I can't believe I'm lucky enough to be in this scene.</div><div><br /></div><div>Anyways, in other very cool news, I have a new album and it was released TODAY! People are already buying it and I'm totally fucking pumped. It's been a long time since the last one, and although it was good, this new recording makes me very proud.</div><div><br /></div><div>I'm starting some media outreach, and the CD release party is in about a month.</div><div><br /></div><div>You see why I haven't had time to blog? Life, she is crazy.</div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUGgMLE7PD309xIMz-CdruooMNDHdgrrl9fUg9j8TTTEDAH6fh8zAPiTvr2-aJFVrHZf16XKuB9J4VsDWn0PDyFX_3LHD69lrf7KGJGp45HDL0ha12RC7L6ZugCjf_W_yUpte2FUupr8K7/s1600/banjo.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUGgMLE7PD309xIMz-CdruooMNDHdgrrl9fUg9j8TTTEDAH6fh8zAPiTvr2-aJFVrHZf16XKuB9J4VsDWn0PDyFX_3LHD69lrf7KGJGp45HDL0ha12RC7L6ZugCjf_W_yUpte2FUupr8K7/s320/banjo.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5663915394316111586" /></a><br /></div><div>So it's 11pm and the parties are just starting up here. I went to bed at 4am last night and fully expect to do it again tonight. I have a set at 1am. Nutty, but so very fun.</div><div><br /></div><div>See you on the flip side!</div>Andrea...http://www.blogger.com/profile/05506115339952652388noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3985610707698933564.post-52528118377530402902011-09-10T10:53:00.000-07:002011-09-10T10:58:04.310-07:00Mmmmmm<div>I'm having a great day.</div><div><br /></div><div>I've napped in my hammock.</div><div><br /></div><div>I've had a yummy brunch at one of my favourite brunch places.</div><div><br /></div><div>I've snuggled with my dogs.</div><div><br /></div><div>I'm enjoying the feeling of a freshly-shaved head (Well, half of it. Crazy haircut, you know).</div><div><br /></div><div>I'm writing thank you notes to everyone who pre-ordered my CDs (that note on top is for a fellow blogger!).</div><div><br /></div><div>I'm getting ready to see my girl Shawna sing tonight. </div><div><br /></div><div>I'm loving the early fall / late summer weather. I have such a super crush on fall.</div><div><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIM1hH4kcqJoxhHTvZ-MA9HfuIxowZdDWANYmnox-Yvtsr88TzZjPt10wbSHcICeyitMKGN1yufwuo3Elnt3KDkRMbtqfq2ATmpZQp66JbqcrZRkzWdL6PoLG52cbHtPaUoWjWR3qd7HwC/s1600/My+HipstaPrint+0.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIM1hH4kcqJoxhHTvZ-MA9HfuIxowZdDWANYmnox-Yvtsr88TzZjPt10wbSHcICeyitMKGN1yufwuo3Elnt3KDkRMbtqfq2ATmpZQp66JbqcrZRkzWdL6PoLG52cbHtPaUoWjWR3qd7HwC/s320/My+HipstaPrint+0.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5650790800810865970" /></a><br /><div>And I'm blogging. </div><div><br /></div><div>Aaaah. Great day.</div>Andrea...http://www.blogger.com/profile/05506115339952652388noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3985610707698933564.post-32378107449260317942011-08-23T19:52:00.000-07:002011-08-23T20:20:34.775-07:00Hollow BodySo I've joined Twitter.<div>
<br /></div><div>Ugh.</div><div>
<br /></div><div>I think maybe I'm overwhelmed with social media. I enjoy Facebook, I keep a handle on updating my web site, I occasionally blog.... Twitter came along because I'm going to use it in place of a news section when my new web site is launched.</div><div>
<br /></div><div>But hot damn, there's a lot of information to absorb. I think I'll end up being a bit shy on that part of the interwebs, although it will be great for getting the word out about the new album. It just hurts my brain to see that many updates. At least with Facebook I actually <i>know</i> the people I'm reading about.</div><div>
<br /></div><div>Speaking of which, I've finally got dates for the CD release! Yes, dates plural. It will be a double concert so people can choose either the Friday or Saturday. I'll give y'all the details when they are ready, promise.</div><div>
<br /></div><div>I'm feeling pretty wrecked about Jack Layton, but I guess there's nothing I can say that hasn't been said more eloquently elsewhere. Still, it feels like a loss for democracy to have a genuine watchdog leave the ring. Not a lot of people demanded real accountability from government - he will be missed. And that letter? Ow, my heart.</div><div>
<br /></div><div>In other news, I've fallen in love with a very expensive vintage hollow body guitar. Some girls lust over shoes. Okay, I *occasionally* lust over shoes. But this guitar? Sweet fuck, I would love to cradle that baby in my arms.</div><div>
<br /></div><div>Night sugars! I'm going to go dream of a pretty stringed instrument.</div>Andrea...http://www.blogger.com/profile/05506115339952652388noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3985610707698933564.post-84337251866270445312011-08-20T06:11:00.000-07:002011-08-20T06:28:23.595-07:00What is time, anyway?<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6IoyASQacocjSXUd3DsiFqSWc54mPSIQrAX6759ljGzsQzRteauLcOEOg4h9yRpEqDY7agf8069lOqVUyNHGX7IgqL0bkmFepEc57UcnxFEaZBRL0m-NbhsBg9aFqUPPWOidkNwaYw26Q/s1600/IMG_0771.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6IoyASQacocjSXUd3DsiFqSWc54mPSIQrAX6759ljGzsQzRteauLcOEOg4h9yRpEqDY7agf8069lOqVUyNHGX7IgqL0bkmFepEc57UcnxFEaZBRL0m-NbhsBg9aFqUPPWOidkNwaYw26Q/s320/IMG_0771.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5642929238851065058" /></a>
<br />Well folks, I'm feeling very full circle today.<div>
<br /></div><div>Last week (two weeks ago? everything blends together these days) I went to my high school reunion. It was small, organized by a few friends, and we all just met at a bar to catch up. I played a few songs on the banjo and my buddies set up their band and played heavy metal into the wee hours. Pretty typical of our school, actually. Banjo and heavy metal. My ears were not happy with me the next day.</div><div>
<br /></div><div>It was funny.... I'm still in touch with a few of those friends, but I've lost touch with most of them and it was fascinating to see how we've all changed / stayed the same over the last decade. I think it's safe to say we've all put on a bit of weight, changed our hair (or lost our hair, depending), matured.</div><div>
<br /></div><div>But generally, it was like nothing had changed. Everyone was still fun and cool and ridiculous. The same people got inappropriately drunk and groped everyone at the table. I still swore enough to make the heavy metal dudes blush. The crazies were still crazy. It was a happy, fuzzy evening where we all remembered why we loved our school so much.</div><div>
<br /></div><div>Right. So there was that.</div><div>
<br /></div><div>And then today, I'm playing at the wedding of a girl I went to primary school with. We worked it out, and we've known each other for 25 years. </div><div>
<br /></div><div>25 years. </div><div>
<br /></div><div>That's most of my short life. And when I was chatting with her at the rehearsal, it was like nothing had changed. She's still the sweet, funny, kinda dorky girl she was then. I'm still a bit of a misfit, I still sing. Even back in primary school I was a music geek.</div><div>
<br /></div><div>I'll be at the wedding in a few hours and I'll be seated with some friends I went to middle school with - grade 7 and 8. I hated those years and that school, but my friends were good ones, and I met The Colombian then too. He won't be there, but you get the time frame. </div><div>
<br /></div><div>Anyway. </div><div>
<br /></div><div>Then last weekend I played a gig with a friend I made when I was 10 at summer camp. I haven't seen him since I was 14, and there we were, laughing as if we were still lining up for food in the mess hall.</div><div>
<br /></div><div>I don't know if I have a point, but it's really touching how despite getting older and branching out into new communities and friend groups, I can still feel at home with these people I've known for so long. We may not keep in regular contact, we may go 10 or 15 years without talking, but we can slide right back into things as though nothing has changed. </div><div>
<br /></div><div>It feels nice.</div><div>
<br /></div>Andrea...http://www.blogger.com/profile/05506115339952652388noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3985610707698933564.post-60550541144860877842011-07-31T05:16:00.000-07:002011-07-31T05:34:07.493-07:00The things you find in a quaint B&BMy BH and I went to a really fun wedding in Prince Edward County last weekend. Two of our good friends were getting hitched in the backyard of the bride's parents, and I was playing a song as part of the ceremony. It was a wild and crazy night, with lots of booze, dancing, good conversations and the rare chance to see my BH all sauced.<div><br /></div><div>So sauced that he invented a dance move called "the shower" and wandered around for a while "washing people's hair."</div><div><br /></div><div>A great evening, all in all.</div><div><br /></div><div>The county is a beautiful place. We drove around some of the small towns within the area, marvelling at how damn pretty it is out there with the vineyards and the giant oak trees. We also had lunch at the Waupoos cider place, and I fell in love with their peach / apple cider. Drooly.</div><div><br /></div><div>The weekend ended with a very funny little twist.</div><div><br /></div><div>We were staying at a small B&B in the main town. It was very typical - floral bedding, conservatively furnished, country style everything. A kind old lady owned the place, and she was very sweet the few times we chatted with her.</div><div><br /></div><div>I was tidying our room, making sure we hadn't forgotten anything, when I decided to look at the floor carefully in case something had been dropped. I noticed something on the ground next to my bedside table and walked over to investigate.</div><div><br /></div><div>It took me a minute to realize what it was, as I stood there staring, probably looking quite vacant.</div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><i>Ah yes.</i></div><div><br /></div><div>It was a jelly cock ring. Belonging to a previous guest, in the quaint, conservative little B&B out in the countryside. I covered it up with tissue and threw it out, lest the kind old lady think it was a doggie chew toy.</div><div><br /></div><div>My BH and I giggled about it all the way home.</div>Andrea...http://www.blogger.com/profile/05506115339952652388noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3985610707698933564.post-78691040264613653392011-07-19T17:42:00.000-07:002011-07-21T07:46:06.472-07:00Smooth Lines for Talking to DJs<span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:arial;font-size:small;"><div>So.</div><div><br /></div><div> </div><div>As some of you may remember, I help out with events run by Ottawa's favourite sex store, because hello, that is a totally predictable thing for a banjo player to do.</div><div><br /></div><div> </div><div>We had one of our kick-ass dance parties last Friday and it was, in my humble opinion, one of our best ever. The DJs absolutely kicked it and I discovered a whole style of music I didn't know existed (moombahton - god bless it for being so catchy). We raised some money for a good cause and danced our hearts out in the process. </div><div><br /></div><div>My only fails of the evening were:</div><div><br /></div><div> </div><div>a. Drinking too many martinis. So many that when I got home, I looked in the bathroom mirror and said, "Why won't my face stop spinning?" (I never did get the answer. I passed out roughly 10 seconds afterwards.)</div><div><br /></div><div> </div><div>b. Forgetting pleasantries and instead of introducing myself to the DJ, I tapped him on the shoulder, gestured to his gear, and said, "Could you cut the sound for a second? I need to give away a vibrator."</div><div><br /></div><div> </div><div>How's that for a smooth line? Seriously.</div><div><br /></div><div> </div><div>Anyway, the event reminded me how lovely it is to be in my neighbourhood, in my community, in this city I'm so fond of. Ottawa's only boring if you can't be bothered to look around at all the cool stuff simmering below the surface.</div><div><br /></div><div>In other news, my contract at work is up in a couple of weeks, and then I'm back to the more predictable flow of my old job. I don't know how I feel about that yet, but one thing's for sure: I'll have more time for gigging. Woo!</div><div><br /></div><div>Since I have nothing else to say that is witty and exciting, here is a comic about my favourite hot sauce: <a href="http://theoatmeal.com/comics/sriracha">TASTY FIRESTORM.</a></div></span>Andrea...http://www.blogger.com/profile/05506115339952652388noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3985610707698933564.post-57489416088397762362011-07-13T03:54:00.001-07:002011-07-13T03:57:36.364-07:00Back to life!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh22lXAqHR0OZEs7gLDmBvCuY6GRu0AfDsySjlulqnxGhH4UCvfKZu86ow9RXAjC7HW1pArXTGdAQBXgk8ypA8hWYsbHvLRRI_9HN_QZXOUde-Dr0GuRtS0TkHbGqKPWPBa_MkoRaZPjYry/s1600/IMG_5890.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh22lXAqHR0OZEs7gLDmBvCuY6GRu0AfDsySjlulqnxGhH4UCvfKZu86ow9RXAjC7HW1pArXTGdAQBXgk8ypA8hWYsbHvLRRI_9HN_QZXOUde-Dr0GuRtS0TkHbGqKPWPBa_MkoRaZPjYry/s320/IMG_5890.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5628789175823826354" /></a><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:arial;font-size:small;"><div>Hello, Internet.</div><div><br /></div><div> </div><div>My insane-o job has finally cooled down. It was a nutty, amazing and super rewarding experience, and I got to know those big old buildings on Parliament Hill really well in the process.</div><div><br /></div><div> </div><div>For a day job that sustains me while I putter away with music, I struck it pretty lucky.</div><div><br /></div><div> </div><div>As of now, I'm promised a quiet summer. I've only had a week of peace and I was already able to tie up some fairly drastic loose ends, including finalizing the graphics for the new album, finishing the mastering, working on a new web site, and booking a gig mid-August (Ottawa peeps, come hang at the Elmdale with me?).</div><div><br /></div><div> </div><div>I'm completely out of habit when it comes to blogging. Completely. But I will try some baby steps to get back into it and hopefully a few of you are still reading.</div><div><br /></div><div> </div><div>'Till next time!</div></span>Andrea...http://www.blogger.com/profile/05506115339952652388noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3985610707698933564.post-65306113203282784792011-06-05T14:54:00.000-07:002011-06-05T15:11:50.921-07:00GAWD<div>Oh. My. GAWD. People.</div><div><br /></div><div>Safe to say this new job has eaten my life. The busy period should end around mid-July. Until then, unfortunately, I will remain an unreliable blogger.</div><div><br /></div><div>However, since my plans for today fell through, I have some time to say hello. I promise I'm still following all of you dear local bloggers, but I haven't been commenting much lately. Booo. </div><div><br /></div><div>A week or two ago, I did manage to have a life... I attended a fabulous event called Crap Art. At Crap Art, a group of local songwriters get together and write as many songs as possible in 24 hours. Random instruments, song themes, sound effects and other craziness is encouraged.</div><div><br /></div><div>I had a fucking BLAST.</div><div><br /></div><div>This is my friend, the guitarron. I played it briefly before moving on to the thumb piano.</div><div><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg56hyphenhyphenY6H-qQZj5kF8Do1s7XuS9Q7hDVrZM32800MtHZX2a4ErlSPKujwQRKJdZkBz3biTpGlVFetVaCZNoQBgl8YxqJnb1RYimAYEr6WTvCED5rwmiwONEycbP8XaFnwqclCeMydIED5hG/s1600/IMG_5863.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg56hyphenhyphenY6H-qQZj5kF8Do1s7XuS9Q7hDVrZM32800MtHZX2a4ErlSPKujwQRKJdZkBz3biTpGlVFetVaCZNoQBgl8YxqJnb1RYimAYEr6WTvCED5rwmiwONEycbP8XaFnwqclCeMydIED5hG/s320/IMG_5863.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5614858803374002274" /></a><br /><div>I also wrote a song on this sweet little banjolele. Funny, I have a banjolele of my own, but I've never written on it. When I get my life back, that will change.</div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7AYIl_DZUjN19SiTX8J5MN3VSXMw6ZXqXj7M6Ew8EL6oMQabe15z9WG2XqY9bmn8vo4meORecOO_9k3tfjAn2b6af3JbR3in8xmvFmzjsh_pAR6U885OoKB9poPQNHZaeSRRrIseAlBl2/s1600/IMG_5839.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7AYIl_DZUjN19SiTX8J5MN3VSXMw6ZXqXj7M6Ew8EL6oMQabe15z9WG2XqY9bmn8vo4meORecOO_9k3tfjAn2b6af3JbR3in8xmvFmzjsh_pAR6U885OoKB9poPQNHZaeSRRrIseAlBl2/s320/IMG_5839.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5614858795641076434" /></a><br /></div><div>And, since you probably miss my dogs terribly, here are some photos for you. My dear, sweet Frida:</div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjcZROWxscjFdZGX4A4pS8rnRmjQjLBk7TgzDehC68xGZk-ZinWO6CfZJ9YSe-yIpFWKelT5UlSxsXLucBeoEmU0Gdv2WWycFZZWBXW5F-isWxRzXYlncKttEk3IRzOZJd-_IOyuht5X5C/s1600/IMG_5766.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjcZROWxscjFdZGX4A4pS8rnRmjQjLBk7TgzDehC68xGZk-ZinWO6CfZJ9YSe-yIpFWKelT5UlSxsXLucBeoEmU0Gdv2WWycFZZWBXW5F-isWxRzXYlncKttEk3IRzOZJd-_IOyuht5X5C/s320/IMG_5766.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5614858788880714002" /></a><br /></div><div>My handsome Morty:</div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8mtp3nRcLuzRFjMrHTHOI-2kgYnOqiyqXX05b7qV2GESAyRTHPxPiWbGbFMBTQUsLS9-KgI6vy8RHMn9eJV5ko9yO6LmY27D8GfBMNa7kIMAYZR7PukjiD_7H24COEUBrHVKEzB9qwWUx/s1600/IMG_5760.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8mtp3nRcLuzRFjMrHTHOI-2kgYnOqiyqXX05b7qV2GESAyRTHPxPiWbGbFMBTQUsLS9-KgI6vy8RHMn9eJV5ko9yO6LmY27D8GfBMNa7kIMAYZR7PukjiD_7H24COEUBrHVKEzB9qwWUx/s320/IMG_5760.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5614858779366785122" /></a><br /></div><div>The album remains unfinished. I KNOW! I still have a song to mix, and I think we're going to wade into the deep end and hire an accordion player for a song that still needs some help. I'd really love to move on to mastering. One day, one day...</div><div><br /></div><div>Until next time!</div>Andrea...http://www.blogger.com/profile/05506115339952652388noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3985610707698933564.post-7025071976795109832011-05-11T07:11:00.000-07:002011-05-11T07:25:43.762-07:00In BedWell, I'm still failing you as a blogger these days, but at least I have some pictures this time. I call this one "Sadface," and it's the look Frida gives me when my BH leaves for work in the morning. She sits on his side of the bed, looking morosely at the distinct lack of human under the covers.<br /><br />Poor bunny.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi7qxKZTdCFK_xJE5dhCyjEW8FbeDvgYTraobTMBxXLuVv-edVB1OyhijGJult_VuNhruI57hJplu-rV8YpjHe-YI6P1gAScJUgA-juKa7ILmnWKyPhxlbY9UI6OhtAXCSeVDLN4Ar3rGj/s1600/sadface.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5605461067702106290" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi7qxKZTdCFK_xJE5dhCyjEW8FbeDvgYTraobTMBxXLuVv-edVB1OyhijGJult_VuNhruI57hJplu-rV8YpjHe-YI6P1gAScJUgA-juKa7ILmnWKyPhxlbY9UI6OhtAXCSeVDLN4Ar3rGj/s320/sadface.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Life is great lately, just incredibly busy. I am loving the new job despite the madness, although it means I haven't been able to finish mixing my last two songs for the album. We're still trying to work out when that's going to happen, but we're not technically behind schedule yet. In the meantime, I'm working away at getting the new music web site up and running. Bit by bit, I suppose.<br /><br />Here is one of my favourite people in one of my favourite places: my producer, Dean, setting up my favourite mic in the studio. Lots of good things in one fuzzy cell phone picture.<br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj22xHibQ-bHRzK4C1TEQXJvJfl1EXfw2_gmpM2Tejqt6twXdN1E_H_MuWLBrD4jzu5yFEG48ko_GGOREwC51rGOgF3lrviqVcTsjYHWsUAJnTNzB7UTjldX0-aV5aIK4IXwCUJ36WL8enz/s1600/mic.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5605461059359637394" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj22xHibQ-bHRzK4C1TEQXJvJfl1EXfw2_gmpM2Tejqt6twXdN1E_H_MuWLBrD4jzu5yFEG48ko_GGOREwC51rGOgF3lrviqVcTsjYHWsUAJnTNzB7UTjldX0-aV5aIK4IXwCUJ36WL8enz/s320/mic.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Here he is setting up the glockenspiel. I actually ended up playing it on the album. It sounded a bit like a demented nursery rhyme for psychotic children... But in a pretty way. Y'know?</div><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghF6HCLlHAyO9cogvVTcaqViPpBbz93mdi7mSsaqWLKrtrdSLRMTp93CnbThnFppW82UUmfFe-iItF56lnlqiqcmDw0MXcnTXRLWiAPPJyuYb3S_DJa06Vydrm6gkWVr6OJ2tjcce4U1eP/s1600/glock.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5605461053402030034" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghF6HCLlHAyO9cogvVTcaqViPpBbz93mdi7mSsaqWLKrtrdSLRMTp93CnbThnFppW82UUmfFe-iItF56lnlqiqcmDw0MXcnTXRLWiAPPJyuYb3S_DJa06Vydrm6gkWVr6OJ2tjcce4U1eP/s320/glock.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Aah, my Frida looking out the side window. Those birds are leftover Christmas decorations, but I haven't had the heart to take them down. Eventually.<br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm9KLOZYiiAqXd_KeZB3RVHp6dtSwPZrKGuvsN_Ebg91kL4UN_SrrtSXPUHpasEOSPJBuOyfYr-CrHKl-RZ1bSnGu4FG-lwzTTo-1gbSt26vyvC5Paqy9QqZ4Z6S3jpyIJFTlmRn8hGE46/s1600/birds.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5605461052835230434" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm9KLOZYiiAqXd_KeZB3RVHp6dtSwPZrKGuvsN_Ebg91kL4UN_SrrtSXPUHpasEOSPJBuOyfYr-CrHKl-RZ1bSnGu4FG-lwzTTo-1gbSt26vyvC5Paqy9QqZ4Z6S3jpyIJFTlmRn8hGE46/s320/birds.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />We've hired a dog trainer for Morty because he's turning into a lunger. I don't mind him scaring intruders and creepy people, but I do mind him scaring... Everyone else. Our trainer is pretty hardcore. She's really training us more than she's training Morty, but that's how the system works, it seems. </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>In other news, it's my birthday on Friday. I got an interesting early Happy Birthday message from someone I used to know on Facebook. Shall I share it? Ahem:</div><br /><div></div><br /><div><em>Hello (Hella Stella),</em></div><br /><div><em></em></div><br /><div><em>Have a great birthday! Jesus died to save us from our sins by being crucified. He is so amazing!</em></div><br /><div><em></em></div><br /><div><em>God bless you!</em></div><br /><div><em>Sandra</em></div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Well! Nice to know she's thinking of me. Me and my corrupted soul. Do you think I should tell her how much I'm enjoying living in sin? Because here's the thing... My BH? He is so amazing too. In bed.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Anyway, I miss you, Internet. See you soon.</div><br /><div></div></div></div>Andrea...http://www.blogger.com/profile/05506115339952652388noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3985610707698933564.post-45491683423001375602011-05-01T14:07:00.000-07:002011-05-01T14:36:42.368-07:00Good Cause<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQJj34Uv-bG2qaBzH-_elUKnsR6-9xhENkt1gwgeA_twW310X6rK7-41_NbGQrxvjLiAUc4tAZU6L7V8LK8xP6tlIksDBh-TEGbNsIpVkLHGMw57XXadsMkCt0SKaSlwC2LuT7UKhz7gFY/s1600/IMG_5550.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQJj34Uv-bG2qaBzH-_elUKnsR6-9xhENkt1gwgeA_twW310X6rK7-41_NbGQrxvjLiAUc4tAZU6L7V8LK8xP6tlIksDBh-TEGbNsIpVkLHGMw57XXadsMkCt0SKaSlwC2LuT7UKhz7gFY/s320/IMG_5550.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5601858400457132642" /></a><br />I'm sleepy.<div><br /></div><div>Last night was the CD release party for a compilation album I'm on. The project is raising money for Haiti relief, and it's been in the works for about a year. I was pretty much blown away with the talent of the folks there... Seriously, what a great group of people! Ottawa musicians, man. They are something else. <div><br /></div><div>We even had a Juno award winner on stage... The same lovely lady you see above. She did a wicked Nina Simone cover. Gave me goosebumps.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://www.ottawaxpress.ca/music/music.aspx?iIDArticle=21593">Here is some info on the project</a>. The CD is great, and I'm not just saying that because I'm on it.... ;)<br /><div><br /></div><div>Each artist got a 15 minute slot, so three to four songs each. I was surprisingly nervous for my set, which seems to be happening more and more lately. Why am I only getting nervous for gigs now? I've been playing this style of music live for well over a decade. I think my brain is turning into a pansy-ass wimp. Or maybe I just don't practice enough. *ahem... ever*</div></div><div><br /></div><div>Once I got on stage, all was well and I didn't even remember the nerves. Odd. Then I proceeded to get drunk on Guinness and some delicious beer that tastes like grapefruit. Stiegl? I think that's what it's called. You should try it. It's irritatingly good.</div><div><br /></div><div>A girl I've known since we were kids came to the show.... We lost touch after high school and it was pretty great to see her there. We behaved like we hadn't lost any time at all. It's strangely heartwarming to be able to pick up with someone after a decade or so and feel like nothing has changed. I like it, even if it means I'm still the same trucker-mouthed dirtbag I was back then. </div><div><br /></div><div>At least I'm consistent.</div><div><br /></div><div>The new job is all-consuming, and I feel like I won't hit my stride until we're well into summer. For now I'll just flounder through and try to do my best. Did I mention 100% of my meetings are in French? Takes some getting used to, but it's actually pretty cool.</div><div><br /></div><div>I've also got a daunting spring cleaning /renovation list that haunts me at night. So much to do, so little money. </div><div><br /></div><div>Wait, what am I complaining about? At this time last year, we were a couple weeks away from taking possession of this house. Our first house. We had a crazy summer surrounded by sawdust and circular saws and broken glass and drywall. If doing spring cleaning is my biggest concern this year, I'll gladly take it. </div><div><br /></div><div>In other news: what the fuck is going on with this election? Tomorrow should be quite the event. I look forward to watching the results roll in. Fingers crossed that the outcome won't make me cry.</div><div><br /></div></div>Andrea...http://www.blogger.com/profile/05506115339952652388noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3985610707698933564.post-82945827945263306612011-04-25T21:21:00.000-07:002011-04-25T21:32:25.010-07:00Well ShitWell shit.<div><br /></div><div>A lot of time has passed since my last post. So much time that I can't possibly catch you up with my comings and goings. Let's just start with today and see where that takes us, yes?</div><div><br /></div><div>First off, it's my BH's birthday today. We've had a lovely time eating lemon torte, picking up sushi, walking the dogs, picnicking with our friends over Vietnamese subs, watching Fantastic Mr. Fox, and reading. He's a laid back dude and he likes laid back birthdays. I am happy to oblige.</div><div><br /></div><div>The album keeps on trucking. I now have two songs left to mix, and I think we can still stay on schedule if I really focus over the next month. I'm also lending my vocals this week to some friends who are recording what will no doubt be a stellar album - I'm very much looking forward to hearing the finished product.</div><div><br /></div><div>One of my nearest and dearest, The Colombian, will be visiting me in a month. I see him so rarely, and holy hell, I am super fucking excited to catch up a bit. I'm hoping to make a trip to see him sometime next year, although that will depend on the finances, as usual.</div><div><br /></div><div>The new job is nutters, but I'm good at it so far, and it's anything but boring. It's more event planning than communications, so I'm in a different world, employment-wise. Oh, these day jobs. They mess with the brain.</div><div><br /></div><div>My dogs are snoring beside me, and my BH is watching a movie on his laptop. Life is good. Sorry I was away for so long, but I promise to get back into my regular blogging schedule, hopefully with pictures too.</div><div><br /></div><div>xo</div>Andrea...http://www.blogger.com/profile/05506115339952652388noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3985610707698933564.post-35054091248940587122011-03-30T19:37:00.000-07:002011-03-30T19:48:00.036-07:00ReduxOh my! Here I go again with my sporadic posting. I swear I'll get back on the wagon soon.<div><br /></div><div>Here is why I'm neglecting my bloggerly duties this time around:</div><div><br /></div><div>My taxes nearly killed me this year, and I've just accepted that they will not be done on time. I don't think I've ever finished them late, but fuck it, I'd rather pay a fee than lose my brain over this.</div><div><br /></div><div>I start my new job on Monday. I got a briefing from my new boss today.... Just a quick recap of my duties. Folks? The experience will be great, I have no doubt, but the workload might just finish me off. I will be dead to the world. (Attached to this stress: I still need to move my office and train my replacement)</div><div><br /></div><div>I have to mix four songs before the album can move onto the next stage. But I have no time. And my producer has no time. So there they sit, waiting for some love. Poor unfinished songs.</div><div><br /></div><div>I've become addicted to Harry Potter fan fiction. Whatever, don't judge. Something's got to take my mind off my panic-inducing To Do list.</div><div><br /></div><div>I'm playing a gig this Saturday and although I'm pumped, there's a whole lot of stuff I need to do to prepare. No time! GAAAAH!</div><div><br /></div><div>My backyard has become a mud pit, and as such, my house has become indescribably messy. I really need to get some grass out there. If I see another muddy paw print on my clean duvet cover, I'm going to cry.</div><div><br /></div><div>I think there's more, but frankly, I think I've bored you enough. More soon when I've got something fun to talk about!</div><div><br /></div>Andrea...http://www.blogger.com/profile/05506115339952652388noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3985610707698933564.post-7245761387370779232011-03-24T20:07:00.000-07:002011-03-24T20:14:50.637-07:00Feverish Tossing and TurningBooooo, I have been felled by a nasty cold. <div><br /></div><div>I stayed home from work today, but I've got three meetings tomorrow that I can't miss, so it appears that I'll be going in no matter how I feel.</div><div><br /></div><div>Have I mentioned that I only have one more week at my current job, and then I'm off to do my six-month contract? I can't believe how quickly it happened, even with all that nonsense to find a replacement. Anyway, I'm excited, but I have no idea what to expect. I've been in my current job for four years now, and it's a little daunting to move into something completely different, away from my coworkers. I mean, totally, completely different. Thank goodness I like a challenge.</div><div><br /></div><div>The album stuff is coming along nicely, and I actually have a gig coming up if any of you Ottawa folks want to see me play.... I'll be at Irene's on April 2nd. It will be a grand time.</div><div><br /></div><div>Off for a night of feverish tossing and turning! Huzzah!</div>Andrea...http://www.blogger.com/profile/05506115339952652388noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3985610707698933564.post-5817219128697578912011-03-22T19:20:00.000-07:002011-03-22T19:21:45.876-07:00Sigh of Relief<span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:arial;font-size:small;"><div>Aaaaah. I am done (for now) with the studio, 6 songs finished and four more almost done. I'll need to book an evening here or there to finish up completely, but it feels good to be so far along.</div><div> </div><div><br /></div><div>Amazingly, I woke up this morning with a sore throat, and I'm currently wrapped in a blanket because I can't seem to get warm enough. If I have indeed come down with a cold, I am incredibly thankful that it waited to attack until I was done singing into a mic.</div><div><br /></div><div> </div><div>Reflecting on my recording experience this time around, it's pretty clear that I've learned a shit-ton in a short amount of time.</div><div><br /></div><div> </div><div>As I think I mentioned in an earlier post, my last album took a year to make. All the tracks except one were heavily edited and multitracked, and we let ourselves get obsessed with the details. I don't regret that at all, but it is what it is.</div><div><br /></div><div> </div><div>This album was basically recorded in three weekends. All except two of the songs were recorded live of the floor (me singing and playing at the same time) and those tracks were all meant to be scratch takes. After listening back, we decided they were actually good enough to keep.</div><div><br /></div><div> </div><div>I realize my tone of "voice" may not translate through my writing, but if I were telling you this in person, I'd sound amazed. I can't believe how quickly this album has come together. If you had told me a year ago that I'd be using live scratch tracks as the base for an entire CD, I'd have laughed you into next week. A lot of things I did this time around were techniques I had abandoned years ago, or simply ignored. Yes, it's not as polished as Sleeper was, but it's got an energy that Sleeper didn't have. I'm really proud of it.</div><div><br /></div><div> </div><div>We're still months away from having physical copies in our hot little hands, but I'll let you all know how it's going as we inch towards the goal.</div><div><br /></div><div>I'm off to bed with the hopes of avoiding a full-blown illness.... More soon!</div></span>Andrea...http://www.blogger.com/profile/05506115339952652388noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3985610707698933564.post-73733342043112946692011-03-17T19:09:00.000-07:002011-03-17T19:16:41.283-07:00Strange Runes<div>Hello sugars!</div><div><br /></div><div>To make up for the fact that I've been such an absentee blogger, I present to you a picture of my hair.</div><div><br /></div><div>Or lack thereof.</div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdo33jw-8o330QP59p7OTWYTsJL8kTy8fRNqMKOGUJWCBDFXwhjrnf_1HxfBZXuMbR4oQHpy7yaUFRuTCVG9WnNZunns4SSuYzg2kouTDtuTuRNEgkV8fQHRFLVRwztyGwXi6pvIsPZhu8/s1600/photo-25.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 239px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdo33jw-8o330QP59p7OTWYTsJL8kTy8fRNqMKOGUJWCBDFXwhjrnf_1HxfBZXuMbR4oQHpy7yaUFRuTCVG9WnNZunns4SSuYzg2kouTDtuTuRNEgkV8fQHRFLVRwztyGwXi6pvIsPZhu8/s320/photo-25.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5585236448807397986" /></a><br /><div>Milan took it (thanks Milan!), stating that "You need a record of the fact that someone shaved strange runes into your head." What can I say? I asked for something improvised and weird, and I'm not disappointed in the least.</div><div><br /></div><div>In other news, I have a start date for the new job. I can't believe it! Things will be mind-bogglingly busy from now until July, but I think I'll learn a lot. Not sure what they'll make of my hair, but they're just going to have deal. </div><div><br /></div><div>I promise I'll get back to regular blogging after this weekend - my last full one in studio. I miss it already.</div><div><br /></div><div>xo</div>Andrea...http://www.blogger.com/profile/05506115339952652388noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3985610707698933564.post-16119513206896289992011-03-14T20:56:00.000-07:002011-03-14T20:58:34.509-07:00Things Be Crazy<span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:arial;font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Remember that time I fell off the face of the earth and forgot to update my blog? Dang.</span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Apologies for things being a bit sparse here. Things be crazy.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:arial;font-size:small;"><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">I'm approaching what is likely the last block of time I've got to work on the album. I love deadlines, but man, I sure hope I get everything done! </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Some other exciting things:</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">- I'm getting ready to start brainstorming the CD package with my graphic designer. She is scary good, and I'm looking forward to seeing what she comes up with.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">- We've hired a trumpet player! I kept hearing the potential for muted trumpet when we listened back to certain songs, and luckily my producer knew of someone perfect.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">- Looks like we're getting some fiddle too! Yeah!</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">- I'm waiting for manufacturing quotes, and I'm nervous about how much it's going to cost me.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> *************************</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">On the job front, they've agreed to let me take the job, but first they need to find a replacement. You can see where this is going: they can't seem to find a replacement.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">(groan)</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">I will call on my inner Transformer if they try and back out of it. I guess we'll just wait and see.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:medium;"><br /></span></div></span></div></span>Andrea...http://www.blogger.com/profile/05506115339952652388noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3985610707698933564.post-17714447566039231082011-03-07T08:53:00.000-08:002011-03-07T08:54:06.918-08:00Blankly1. I won the fight. Thanks, inner Transformer. New job for spring / summer! Woot! (picture me flexing my biceps)<br /><br />2. I am so, so, so damn tired. I spent the weekend holed up in the studio, and although it was insanely productive and fun, I feel completely braindead. People have been asking me questions all morning and I've just been looking at them blankly, forgetting to respond.<br /><br />3. We ended up hiring a longtime blog reader to play on the album yesterday! Hi Dave! Sometimes I forget that people actually read this thing.<br /><br />4. Milan stopped by to take some photos of the studio... Maybe you'll see them here soon. My little point and click can't compete with his impressive lens. (Mind out of the gutter, y'all. I'm actually talking cameras here.)<br /><br />5. My BH will be finished his housesitting stint as of tonight, and he's promised me a hot date upon his return. Yessss. He bought me tulips on Saturday, and I've gotta say, I miss the guy something fierce.<br /><br />I feel like there is more to tell you, but I think I'll just stare blankly at the wall for a while and fantasize about sleep.Andrea...http://www.blogger.com/profile/05506115339952652388noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3985610707698933564.post-45301293290739888572011-03-04T12:52:00.000-08:002011-03-04T12:53:34.699-08:00Giant, ass-kicking robot alienSo this job stuff has gone completely nuts. It's moving fast.<br /><br />I became unhappy about my work earlier this week. Yesterday I had an interview, which went swimmingly. Today I seem to have a very cool offer for a short work term, but management has to agree to let me go. Management seems to have remembered that I am a really good employee, and they are nervous. So I still don't know where I will end up.<br /><br />This whole situation is teaching me about an oft-hidden aspect of my personality:<br /><br />If they don't let me take the job, they will have a full blown, claws out, teeth bared, smackdown of a fight on their hands. Why? Because when things grate on my nerves, I morph into an unpleasant person to deal with. I can feel a growl inside of me and the volume is growing. I am not scared of my managers, and I am not scared of my managers' managers. I am ready to metaphorically tackle each and every one of them until they submit and call me Madam.<br /><br />In fact, this part of my personality could well be illustrated by a terrible movie I haven't even watched all the way through: Transformers.<br /><br />I am a normal, reliable car. I can get people from Point A to Point B. You can count on me to do my job without guzzling too much gas. I'm even fun to drive.<br /><br />However, if you fuck with me, I turn into a giant, ass-kicking robot alien that will eat you alive. Dig?<br /><br />In less terrifying news, I'll be in the studio all weekend making pretty music with some of my favourite people. I have no plans to kick anyone's ass into next week while I'm there. I will return to my zen state and enjoy the calm before Monday hits.<br /><br />So. How are you doing?Andrea...http://www.blogger.com/profile/05506115339952652388noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3985610707698933564.post-70732633656276383032011-03-02T14:20:00.000-08:002011-03-02T14:24:38.884-08:00Because I KnowToday was an absolute bust.<br /><br />It figures that as my musical life is coming together, my day job would fall to shit. The upside is that I am long overdue for a change in work, and that the places I may end up sound pretty neat.<br /><br />The downside is that office drama keeps me up at night and makes me want to watch Funny Or Die videos until I fall asleep on my laptop. Anxious, angry, and frustrated: kicking around in my chest.<br /><br />My BH is housesitting for the week, so it's just me and the dogs. I honestly want to do nothing more than mull a pot of wine and watch dumb movies. I know there are more productive things I could focus my energy on, but that will have to be it for now.<br /><br />Le sigh.<br /><br />Here is a picture of a cake, because I know you like cake.<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMMIOY5mkHZ6UFwUoeFwVeeYrfj63fNB2BnVOABKGUanU5EYJQIaqd4smFKdysbYZ_CgD4pZDwppcuUUnyApYhDV2llTYvhuoN28-B9cBsKYThYWFJkR0Dy_bWrSPDgKkeqbINThsYZXEd/s1600/cake.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5579611519406062482" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMMIOY5mkHZ6UFwUoeFwVeeYrfj63fNB2BnVOABKGUanU5EYJQIaqd4smFKdysbYZ_CgD4pZDwppcuUUnyApYhDV2llTYvhuoN28-B9cBsKYThYWFJkR0Dy_bWrSPDgKkeqbINThsYZXEd/s320/cake.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />And the cake likes you. It told me so.Andrea...http://www.blogger.com/profile/05506115339952652388noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3985610707698933564.post-52761320470254839982011-02-27T18:38:00.000-08:002011-02-27T18:47:34.242-08:00Crazy and Loving itColour me shocked.<div><br /></div><div>When I started up a fundraising site for my new album, hoping to cover some of the costs through fan donation, I didn't really know what to expect. The donations have been steady though, clocking in at about $1000 when I include cash contributions. That's a helpful amount of money.</div><div><br /></div><div>Last night, I got a notification of a new donation. Someone I've never met who lives in Chicago donated $500.</div><div><br /></div><div>I choked on my tea.</div><div><br /></div><div>$500? You must be shitting me.</div><div><br /></div><div>Everything checked out though, and I was left assuming the inevitable: He must be crazy. This poor, crazy fellow in Chicago crazily donated a crazy amount of money. I would have to refund it, because I would be taking advantage of him otherwise. Seeing as how he was crazy.</div><div><br /></div><div>Luckily, I decided to send him an e-mail before hitting the refund button.</div><div><br /></div><div>It was a difficult letter to write.</div><div><br /></div><div>"Hi! Thanks for your generous donation! Are you crazy?"</div><div><br /></div><div>No, that wouldn't do.</div><div><br /></div><div>"Hello! I notice that you have donated a large sum of money to me. Is everything okay?"</div><div><br /></div><div>No. Awkward.</div><div><br /></div><div>I settled with, "Hello! That is a lovely donation. Let's talk."</div><div><br /></div><div>Turns out he's not crazy, he's just a big fan. </div><div><br /></div><div>Dudes, if I ever ask myself why I keep this songwriter thing going, remind me that some folks really REALLY dig good music. It's worth it for that reason alone.</div>Andrea...http://www.blogger.com/profile/05506115339952652388noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3985610707698933564.post-84732580850536770002011-02-24T14:17:00.000-08:002011-02-24T14:19:12.129-08:00Current MeFirst of all, you guys are charming. I write what I think is the most boring post EVAR and you still comment. Love to you. Responses coming.<br /><br />Other things:<br /><br />I'm thinking of shaving half my head. Not the underside like I used to... Just the left half. And I want patterns shaved into it. And I'm also planning two rather large tattoos.<br /><br />I've always felt that I looked too tame on the outside. Maybe this is the start of the transition towards properly reflecting my trucker mouth / dirty mind. I welcome it. Honestly, I think working a safe office job is making me go a little nutso. Time to break out! BLAMMO!<br /><br />Speaking of breaking out, it looks like there might be a high school reunion for my class this summer. We all keep in touch over Facebook, but it will be very fucking strange to see everyone in person. Awesome, probably, but strange. Some of my best friends are people I knew in high school, so I see them all the time, but for the majority? I probably haven't laid eyes on them since prom. The same prom where I drank my face off, crawled around in agony on my hotel room floor, got stranded in a dive bar called the Rum Shack, and lost most of my graduating class as soon as dinner was done.<br /><br />Oh yeah, THAT prom.<br /><br />Don't ask me how it all played out, because I don't remember much more than that.<br /><br />I wonder what my 19-year-old self would have thought of Current Me....<br /><br />She would have congratulated me for nabbing such a hottie, definitely. She would be super into my bulldogs. She'd love that I'm still recording music. She'd probably think my job was suffocating, but three out of four isn't bad. Come to think of it, she'd totally high five me for buying a house in my favourite neighbourhood. Dude, I didn't do too badly!Andrea...http://www.blogger.com/profile/05506115339952652388noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3985610707698933564.post-21286588989644976892011-02-23T09:10:00.000-08:002011-02-23T09:11:34.092-08:00I Need To Get Out MoreI feel like my life is in a holding pattern at the moment, which is probably why I'm not blogging as much as usual. I'm going through the motions, doing my everyday stuff, but it's all overshadowed by the looming album prep.<br /><br />Here's the funny thing: it's not like I'm working around the clock on the CD. Quite the opposite. The only "work" I'm doing right now is helping develop the new web site, planning finances, sorting out my promo ideas, and waiting for my next studio session. It's just that this big goal is weighing on my brain, and it will continue to do so until it's finished. I like the weight - it reminds me of what I'm good at.<br /><br />The challenge is to think of other things to talk about while my thoughts are stuck on a hamster wheel.<br /><br />I know... How about French verbs? Do you know how spectacularly bad I am at French verbs, even though I can understand and speak the language without much issue? It's embarrassing, frankly, but I'm too stubborn to give up this easily. Here's my problem: I look at a French verb conjugation question, my brain says "THIS IS LIKE MATH! AAAAH!" and then I freeze. No matter how many tricks I memorize, how many times I go over verb charts, my brain has a seizure and runs away.<br /><br />However, because I need to improve, I also need to find a way to understand something that insists on remaining abstract and distant. My coworker suggested I start reading in French, more than just work e-mails, to normalize how all these exercises are used in regular conversation. I think that's a great idea. Here's hoping I don't crash and burn. I think I'll start with Harry Potter in French, so I like the story enough to continue.<br /><br />I could also talk about my dogs, which would be strange and unusual for me.<br /><br />If you've been reading here a while, you may remember that when we got Frida last year, the transition to a two-dog household was anything but smooth. Both dogs were freaked out, they didn't get along, and Morty was sad. It was the worst.<br /><br />It's been almost a year since that shitty time, and dudes, it's like night and day. Not only do they love each other, but they nap together (imagine limbs all entwined, porky bulldog dreams, and nuzzling), and they occasionally share toys.<br /><br />THEY SHARE TOYS.<br /><br />For about 8 months, whenever Frida would show interest in a toy, Morty would stroll over, knock her out of the way, and remove the plushie in question. Now, astoundingly, they can both chew on either end of a toy and be quite comfortable. It's a delightful transition.<br /><br />And that concludes today's rambling post about French verbs, porky bulldogs, and heavy brains. Holy shit, I need to get out more.Andrea...http://www.blogger.com/profile/05506115339952652388noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3985610707698933564.post-41909532802809532762011-02-18T09:31:00.000-08:002011-02-18T09:39:43.744-08:00Sensory OverloadMore of those intense, vivid dreams. What is going on with my brain?<br /><br />Photo 1: Morty playing couch monster. He squeezes himself under the couch, waits for fingers or toes to slide by, and attacks! It's his favourite game. I would like it too if I didn't get chomped on so often.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsONqbocg2vZmJYYGL4p_Pks7JnJ6Jk_EDEkjroU6pDOrkYYcwZls6GG9t4pQ4fATCWoV_kAVY1I6K_31fY043BPnONNtUESYNWOrE-sW7QBIvjHfwWrVSgXCm9NwGqVOeI7I_xxLZ6Bn1/s1600/monster.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5575084405522240658" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsONqbocg2vZmJYYGL4p_Pks7JnJ6Jk_EDEkjroU6pDOrkYYcwZls6GG9t4pQ4fATCWoV_kAVY1I6K_31fY043BPnONNtUESYNWOrE-sW7QBIvjHfwWrVSgXCm9NwGqVOeI7I_xxLZ6Bn1/s320/monster.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Photo 2: Studio mess. Love it.<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiduSdJgEQhAPLmf3fyZ7K887s0A3fRply2kTzsZmhRGL3tCileI-h00TT9FLwP4Utzi9zzLVBXKBwpmvKN20XPs5eSQEzVLC3tEtr59evcdaZ2-0bS-rXyWaXzVkMs1W8-HgiFuJy3x0Ud/s1600/studio.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5575083831564281314" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiduSdJgEQhAPLmf3fyZ7K887s0A3fRply2kTzsZmhRGL3tCileI-h00TT9FLwP4Utzi9zzLVBXKBwpmvKN20XPs5eSQEzVLC3tEtr59evcdaZ2-0bS-rXyWaXzVkMs1W8-HgiFuJy3x0Ud/s320/studio.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Photo 3: Dean, being awesome. Love that guy.<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw77pialxR4psk_08sOXSJqowfAvOJ39TjXZF7ZSYRn8uSOlGTeFsJxF6GAuuUYzY9EFyRL7PAHu7rX3ETPTOMoAgdgIm6thMj2e7VA-ViIDao9pWyny9c6tMBTq35_iZYPHpl55orM_q3/s1600/dean.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5575083823325852082" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw77pialxR4psk_08sOXSJqowfAvOJ39TjXZF7ZSYRn8uSOlGTeFsJxF6GAuuUYzY9EFyRL7PAHu7rX3ETPTOMoAgdgIm6thMj2e7VA-ViIDao9pWyny9c6tMBTq35_iZYPHpl55orM_q3/s320/dean.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Today has been a bit of a shit show, so I'm looking forward to wine and rest this evening. Even if rest comes with terrifying dreams. Do you think I could drink the dreams away? (I'll give it a shot, just for kicks) <div></div>Andrea...http://www.blogger.com/profile/05506115339952652388noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3985610707698933564.post-84490005692727435992011-02-16T10:36:00.001-08:002011-02-16T10:36:46.843-08:00Some ThingsSome things I've been up to when I'm not crying in the studio:<br /><br />Having nightmares! It's the oddest thing. They aren't monstrous or dark, but they replay uncomfortable or unpleasant events over and over in my mind. I guess all this artistic fulfillment comes with a price. My brain is rebelling.<br /><br />Avoiding my taxes! On top of doing my taxes for regular job stuff, I do taxes for my music, and now taxes for the duplex. I am so overwhelmed by the sheer amount of paperwork that I'm pretending tax season isn't approaching like a steam train. *fingers in ears, lalalala*<br /><br />Enjoying French lessons! I finally switched teachers after I nearly got in a shouting match with the last one. My new teacher is my age, actually helps me improve my language skills, and gets my jokes. It's the greatest thing.<br /><br />Painting the kitchen! Okay, I'm not painting the kitchen... My BH is. But he's doing a lovely job. We've been dealing with a serious case of The Ugly since we moved in here - the last owner put vinyl stick flooring on the walls instead of wallpaper. For serious. What a card!Andrea...http://www.blogger.com/profile/05506115339952652388noreply@blogger.com0