Recording pics

We got eight tracks down in two days, thanks to the awesomeness of the guys. It was a really intense creative process, to have my simple tunes develop into arrangements and then recorded sound.

Love, oh love, oh careless love.

It requires whiskey

Happy Friday, long weekend and Thanksgiving.

I returned from Whitehorse reluctantly. Yesterday I had the post-trip exhaustion-bordering-on-hysteria vibe, so after work I had one beer, one shot and went to a special city council meeting about the five-year general plan. Just 'cause.

This is a fairly important topic as it is intended to govern planning decisions and the way they are communicated for the next term and some. I was a little surprised therefore that not a single city council candidate had seen fit to attend. Now, I understand there were a couple public meetings, and maybe that's their excuse. But would it have killed anyone to spend an extra hour soaking up more information, and a bit of a feel for council business to boot?

Anyway, back to Whitehorse, it was AMAZING. Capital letters. I am in love with the place. Work kept me busy, but I did get some time out and about, a short hike (like, half-hour short) and a house party. The place seems to have all the things that are awesome about the North, minus many of the things that suck about the North, plus an organic farmers co-op, awesome music scene and locally brewed beer. Dear god, what a revelation. I think I would maybe move there in a nanosecond. Huge fan, that's me.

Disclaimer: extremely negative

When I was a teenager, railing against the establishment and itching to leave the crappy town I'd landed in, one of my favourite themes was "Corrupt White Men Run This Town," followed quickly by "The Roman Catholic Church Owns the Community Newspaper - Shitty." (The newspaper is literally owned by the diocese.)

At that age I was routinely told by teachers, priests, hockey coaches and store owners that I was a piece of shit "who would never go anywhere or amount to anything" and "nothing but a druggy slut." (Actual quotes - I guess they didn't like my Doc Martens.)

Now, when I see a story like this one turn up in the Globe and Mail, it alternately warms my heart and makes my blood run cold. From G&M, "Bishop urged to surrender on charges of child porn," updated Oct. 2:

In August, the Antigonish diocese reached a $15-million class-action settlement with known and alleged former child victims of sexual abuse by its priests dating back to 1950. At the time, Bishop Lahey, who was bishop of Antigonish for six years and was not implicated in the allegations, apologized to the victims and noted they were entitled to protection from priests.

"Sexual abuse, indeed any abuse, is wrong. It is a crime and it is a serious sin in the eyes of God. I want to assure you that for some time our diocese, like others throughout Canada, have been taking steps to protect children and youth," Bishop Lahey told a news conference.

Well, lo and behold, the same disgusting prick was caught crossing the border with a bunch of child pornography last month. More from the same article:

Bishop Raymond Lahey of the archdiocese of Antigonish was searched at the Ottawa airport as he re-entered Canada on Sept. 15. Officers found images "of concern" on his laptop, and seized it along with other media devices. He was released pending further investigation.

After a forensic examination revealed child pornography, Ottawa police charged Bishop Lahey, 69, Friday and issued a warrant for his arrest.

Huh, reading this post over even I am surprised at the amount of bitterness it seethes with. Issues much? Whatever. Burn that steeple down. Hell, take a couple of those abusive hockey coaches with you when you do it, please.