Today is my Birthday

So far I've had my right nipple bitten twice...by girls, Rob bought me a "CSI Forensic Facial Reconstruction Kit" and I received a happy birthday greeting from the staff at "Worth1000.com". It's been very interesting so far. I'll let you know how things work out.

Maybe 35 won't be so bad after all...

HOLY CRAP!!...I saw U2...

City of Blinding Lights
Vertigo
Elevation
I Will Follow
Gloria
The Ocean
Still Haven’t Found
Beautiful Day
Miracle Drug
Sometimes you Can’t Make it On Your Own
Love and Peace or Else
Sunday Bloody Sunday
Bullet The Blue Sky
Miss Sarajevo
Pride in the Name of Love
Where the Streets Have No Name
One

First Time
Wild Horses
With or Without You

Crumbs From Your Table
Bad

Two hours of U2 live. It was freakin' amazing...breath taking...awesome...even from our nose bleed seats. "Wow" is all I can say. I even got a little misty, I'm not embarassed to say, during "Where the Streets Have No Name"...

There were only about two or three songs from the new album I was unfamilliar with. I will be buying it today, hopefully.

U2 live. WOW!

From House to Maiden and Back Again

So I'm out last night at the Downbeat grooving to Alec's house music, when Dan Nystedt said he was going to Foggy's to video tape Tracey Hilderly's new band, Plethora. I'm totally into the house music and dancing and having a grand old time, but I think "What the hell. I like Tracey. I'll go too."

As we approached Foggy's door, a sense of urgency rushed through me.

"Holy fuck, Dan! They're playing 'Hot Child in the City'. Hurry up!"

Knowing Tracey for as long as I have (going on 30 years!), "Hot Child in the City" was not a surprise and she did a fantastic job. It made me happy. What came next was definitely a surprise.

Pointing at Dan and his camera, Tracey said, "For the sake of my own vanity, we're gonna pull a little number out for you. Well actually, it's a big number." She turned her back to the audience and started the intro speech in the lowest, evilest voice she could muster.

"Is this what I think it is?"

The band kicked in and Tracey let loose the greatest rock and roll scream I have ever heard.

"Are you fucking kidding me right now!?" I exclaimed to absolutely, positively no one. They were doing Maiden...yes...Iron Maiden. "Number of the Beast" to be exact. I couldn't believe my ears and my chin was sweeping the sludge from Foggy's floor. It was the awesomest thing ever.

But wait...there's more...

After Maiden, I heard Ferguson call out for "Sweet". What? Did he just ask for "Sweet"? Right as rain, the follow up to Maiden was "Fox on the Run". All of a sudden I was 8 sitting at the top of the basement stairs while my brother listened to records and made out with his girlfriend. It was killer.

During set break, I manned the camera while Dan interviewed Tracey...in the men's room...while taking a pee...it was weird.

So weird in fact, I headed back to the Downbeat for more of DJ Saige's infectious grooves. The joint was jumpin', packed with wannabe ravers and drummers with dreads. Plenty of fun was had by all and I'm sure one or two high jinx ensued throughout the course of the evening.

I decided to close out with a quiet drink at Lop Lops, where I had a very lengthy and in depth discussion with Ken regarding remodelling possibilities for my home. Damn he's good. I guess that's why he's the architect and I'm the loan shark.

I drove to work this morning and CRANKED Van Halen's "Hot For Teacher"...connecting with my derd roots...

Now I am listening to Alec's newly released remix C.D., "Movement". It has come full circle.

"Washing Cheetahs, We Bequeath" Part I; a trip to heaven that almost went to hell in a hand basket.

Two and a half months ago, a frantic e-mail is sent out to many of you from yours truly...

"Who wants to go see Social Distortion in Toronto on October 10, 2005?"

Most responses are "sorry, can't do it" but for two eager people, Beth Boskovitch and Dan Nystedt. YAY!! A plan is set. The three of us are ready to head out on an awesome adventure to Sudbury to see Cuff the Duke then to Toronto to see Social D. Oh what fun we will have! Tickets ordered, gas split 3 ways, accommodations arranged, time booked off...we're ready and raring to go...

As the date approaches, I grow more and more excited to see Social D. again and the chance to redeem myself for making a jackass out of myself the last time in Grand Rapids. Stay sober this time and use your brain for once, Donna, and you will be fine. When you meet Mike Ness again, take a deep breath and be cool. Easy. This plays out in my head for two months.

Thursday October 6, 2005, two days before our set departure date, Dan tenderly breaks the news that due to unforeseen circumstances he will be unable to embark on our long awaited journey to see the greatest punk/rock band ever. DAMN! But that's OK. Beth and I can still go. It will just cost us a little bit more than expected. And Dan's presence will surely be missed, being the wild and crazy ass fun guy that he is...CRAP!

Maybe I can still find a third to take the extra ticket and to split costs and driving...Patti, Craig, Trevor and a bunch of others...all "sorry, no can do." Robbie...yes!...ROBBIE!!...close, but no cigar...SHIT BALLS! I start to get a sinking feeling...

I pose the question to Beth, "If we can't find a third, do you still want to go?" to which she responded with a hesitant half-hearted, "yea, I guess." That sinking feeling just gave birth to a 200 pound baby and it sat on my head. I think I'm coming down with the flu...

Friday October 7, 2005, one day before our set departure date, Beth tenderly breaks the news that due to unforeseen circumstances she will be unable to embark on our long awaited journey to see the greatest punk/rock band ever. FUCK DAMN!! The sinking feeling's baby sitting on my head just kicked me in the ovaries. I officially have the flu and I think I'm getting my period...

Friday, I am NOT in love as "the Cure" may suggest...I am downright MISERABLE!! Not only do I have tickets to a Social D. show I cannot attend, I will be stuck in the Soo all weekend with nothing to do because the only interesting thing going on, Cuff the Duke at the Downbeat, is SOLD OUT! CRAP FUCK SHIT DAMN BALLS!!!

...fuck it...I'll walk to Toronto if I have to...

...hold on...relax and think for a minute, Donna...

Isn't Paul McCartney playing in Toronto the same night as Social Distortion? Yes, I believe he is. Isn't Mike Theriault going down for that show? Yes, I believe he is. A quick and frantic call to Trevor and I have Theriault's number. I call and beg for a lift...

"Hey, yea, no problem, Donna. I'm leaving Saturday. I can pick you up after work." REJOICE!! Get outta here you stupid fat fucking baby and take your sinking feeling with you!

"But I'm not driving into Toronto. I'm staying with Alexis and Brad in Barrie." Hold on guys...you may want to come back and sit on my head some more...

"Give me 15 minutes and I'll call Alexis and see if it's OK for you to crash there Saturday night then I can drive you into Toronto Sunday." Sit...stay...play dead...please play dead...

"Alexis said it was no problem. I'll see you Saturday."

"Sinky" and the evil 200 pounds have officially been euthanized. I do, however, still have the flu...and that other thing?...yea, that too...but I'm gonna see Social Distortion! YAY!!

I do a happy dance...I really do. But then I get dizzy and have to sit down, but the happy dance continues in my head for the next...well...four days, really...

Horton Glues a Who-Ha

The beautiful Mrs. Meghan Cooper sent this story to me via e-mail and I HAD to share. You gents out there may be a bit uncomfortable but you ladies will pee yourself laughing...enjoy!

Laugh out Loud - Waxing (One Woman's Tale of Woe)

All hair removal methods have tricked women with their promises of easy, painless removal - The epilady, scissors, razors, Nair and now...the wax.

My night began as any other normal weeknight. Come home, fix dinner, play with the kids. I then had the thought that would ring painfully in my mind for the next few hours: " Maybe I should pull the waxing kit out of the medicine cabinet." So I headed to the site of my demise: the bathroom. It was one of those "cold wax "kits. No melting a clump of hot wax, you just rub the strips together in your hand, they get warm and you peel them apart and press them to your leg (or wherever else) and you pull the hair right off. No muss, no fuss. How hard can it be? I mean, I'm not a genius, but I am mechanically inclined enough to figure this out. (YA THINK!?!)

So I pull one of the thin strips out. Its two strips facing each other stuck together. Instead of rubbing them together, my genius kicks in so I get out the hair dryer and heat it to 1000 degrees. ("Cold wax,"yeah...right!) I lay the strip across my thigh, hold the skin around it tight and pull. It works! OK, so it wasn't the best feeling, but it wasn't too bad.

I can do this! Hair removal no longer eludes me! I am She-rah, fighter of all wayward body hair and maker of smooth skin extraordinaire.

With my next wax strip I move north. After checking on the kids, I sneak back into the bathroom, for the ultimate hair fighting championship. I drop my panties and place one foot on the toilet. Using the same procedure, I applythe wax strip across the right side of my bikini line, covering the right half of my vagina and stretching down to the inside of my butt cheek (Yes, it was a long strip) I inhale deeply and brace myself....RRRRIIIPPP!!!!

I 'm blind!!! Blinded from pain!!!!....OH MY GOD!!!!!!!!! Vision returning, I notice that I've only managed to pull off half the strip. CRAP!!! Another deep breath and RRIIPP!! Everything is swirly and spotted. I think I may pass out...must stay conscious...Do I hear crashing drums??? Breathe, breathe...OK, back to normal.

I want to see my trophy - a wax covered strip, the one that has caused me so much pain, with my hairy pelt sticking to it. I want to revel in the glory that is my triumph over body hair. I hold up the strip! There's no hair on it. Where is the hair??? WHERE IS THE WAX???

Slowly I ease my head down, foot still perched on the toilet. I see the hair. The hair that should be on the strip. I touch. I am touching wax. CRAP! I run my fingers over the most sensitive partof my body, which is now covered in cold wax and matted hair. Then I make the next BIG mistake...

...remember my foot is still propped up on the toilet? I know I need to do something. So I put my foot down. DAMN!!!!!!!! I hear the slamming of a cell door. Vagina? Sealed shut! Butt?? Sealed shut! I penguin walk around the bathroom trying to figure out what to do and think to>myself " Please don't let me get the urge to poop. My head may pop off! " What can I do to melt the wax? Hot water!! Hot water melts wax!! I'll run the hottest water I can stand into the bathtub, get in, immerse the wax-covered bits and the wax should melt and I can gently wipe it off, right??? *WRONG!!!!!!!*

I get in the tub - the water is slightly hotter than that used to torture prisoners of war or sterilize surgical equipment - I sit. Now, the only thing worse than having your nether regions glued together, is having them glued together and then glued to the bottom of the tub...in scalding hot water. Which, by the way, doesn't melt cold wax.

So, now I'm stuck to the bottom of the tub as though I had cement-epoxied myself to the porcelain!! God bless the man who had convinced me a few months ago to have a phone put in the bathroom!!!!! I call my friend, thinking surely she has waxed before and has some secret of how to get me undone. It's a very good conversation starter...

"So, my butt and who-ha are glued together to the bottom of the tub! "

There is a slight pause. She doesn't know any secret tricks for removal but she does try to hide her laughter from me. She wants to know exactly where the wax is located.

" Are we talking cheeks or hole or who-ha? " She's laughing out loud by now...I can hear her. I give her the rundown and she suggests I call the number on the side of the box. YEAH!!!!! Right!! I should be the joke of someone else's night.

While we go through various solutions. I resort to scraping the wax off with a razor. Nothing feels better then to have your girlie goodies covered in hot wax, glued shut, stuck to the tub in super hot water and then dry-shaving the sticky wax off!! By now the brain is not working, dignity has taken a major hike and I'm pretty sure I'm going to need Post-Traumatic Stress counseling for this event.

My friend is still talking with me when I finally see my saving grace....the lotion>they give you to remove the excess wax. What do I really have to lose at this point? I rub some on and OH MY GOD!!!!!!! The scream probably woke the kids and scared the dickens out of my friend. It's sooo painful, but I really don't care. "IT WORKS!! It works!! " I get a hearty congratulation from my friend and she hangs up.

I successfully remove the remainder of the wax and then notice to my grief and despair....THE HAIR IS STILL THERE.......ALL OF IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!. So I recklessly shave it off. Heck, I'm numb by now. Nothing hurts. I could have amputated my own leg at this point.

Next week I'm going to try hair color......

Corb Lund and Me and Apes that use Tools...

I was at the Corb Lund show at the Downbeat Lounge and you weren't...ha ha...sucks to be you 'cuz it was one fanfreakintastic show!

The house was packed, cowboy hats were donned by many and the tall, handsome ex-Smalls singer played and sang his heart out. I had never heard such loud crowds at the Downbeat before and it was well deserved. He is an amazing singer/songwriter backed by the "Hurtin' Albertans"...one of the tightest bands around. Everyone in attendance had a hootnanny of a good time.

Here is a photo of Corb and I...



Thanks T-Bone for sending me the photo...

If you have no idea who Corb Lund is check out his website and find the answers you seek; Who is Corb Lund? Where does he come from? What is his music like? Why is he wearing a "Slayer" t-shirt?

And now for something completely different........

The news a few nights ago gave me goose bumps. They were airing a report about apes...apes in the wild...apes in the wild using tools...VERY cool. Apparently, this was the first time apes have been observed in the wild using tools. Other primates, chimps and the like, have been seen using tools in captivity, scooping peanut butter out of a plastic tube with a stick. But the photos of the wild apes were almost chilling.

The nice news people reported that one female ape waded into a pond-like water source and did not like the fact that the chilly water reached levels beyond her waist. She left the water, gathered herself a long pole and used it to measure how deep the water was, ensuring she did not wade too deep...SHE WAS MEASURING HOW DEEP THE WATER WAS!! I have no words to express how cool I think this is...

For a full news story about this fascinating topic, click here. The photo included with the story is of the amazing measuring ape I spoke of. Go there...go there NOW and be in awe.

Never before have I seen such obvious evedence of evolution. It ran me over and rendered me speechless. I love it!

Take that you lousey Creationists!!! (now wave your fist in the air vigorously...)

blah, blah, blah.....

I'm about to ramble on about the past week...ready?

The Sault Orleans benefit concert was a success and I would like to thank everyone involved for all of your contributions and hard work.

First and fore most, Mike Prentice for your vision and enthusiasm. Your heart is as big as...well ...you're a big fella, so it makes sense your heart is big too.

Adrian Vilaca for your ideas and being the go-to guy.

Craig West for managing and coordinating the musicians...you run one tight schedule...good job!

Curt O'Neil for the beautiful website and putting up with our constant pesky e-mails.

George Ravlich for the awesome sound production...and for only freaking out a little bit when your gear got wet!

Dan Nystedt for the fantastic multimedia presentation...I know it was more than a little hectic for a bit there, but you pulled it together beautifully!

Louisa Van Lith and the volunteers from the Red Cross for braving the storm and getting drenched for the cause.

Uncle Max and Mike's mom (sorry, didn't catch your name) for making one hell of a gumbo!

Sherie Gladu and "A Thymely Affair" for the amazing entrance way. And both Pat and Sherie for letting me use their studio to paint the sign, and for all your help doing so.

Allie Russon for all your running around and bead and balloon gathering...your Jack Russell is ALMOST as cute as mine...

Tracey Hilderly for doing a fantastic emcee job...and for being my partner in crying during the video presentation.

The girls from the "Pita Pit" for managing the gumbo sales.

The owners and staff of "Smack Daddy's" for providing the alcohol and contributing 50 cents per unit sold to the Red Cross.

Local Steel Workers Union 2251 for their Red Cross donation of $5000.00...wow!

A HUGE group hug for all the musicians that donated their time and talents for the cause; Brass Tax, Stifler's Mom, the Malcontents (way to give Mother Nature the finger, boys!), the Sault Swing Band, Lindsay Pugh (love that Dobro!), DJ Saige (it's just a little wet...it's still good, it's still good...), the Chris Belsito Band, Big Wheel and the Spokes (ya handsome devils!) and the Jay Scali Quattro. Those spectators who withstood the horrid weather conditions did so because of you.

To all of our sponsors, thank you. This event would not have happened without you.

To anyone else I have forgotten, my thanks and apologies...I tend to suffer brain farts now and again...

Being a part of this event made me happy.

For the rest of my week, I did a whole lot of not much. Friday night I ventured out to the Down Beat Lounge to see "Slow Nerve Action". This made me happy. But alas, the band was stranded west of Thunder Bay and could not make it. This made me VERY sad. But I managed to catch the "Inner City Surfers" at foggy Notions and this made me happy. Also went to the Greyhound season opener...happy! But we lost...sad.

Thursday and Saturday nights I worked at Lop Lops and made a bit of pocket money. This made me happy. But I had to work Sunday loan sharking...boo...sad.

Monday I spent a good portion of the day farting around on the computer...this always makes me happy. I am still unable to get my C.D. burner to work, however...much sadness...not to mention frustration and annoyance. Monday night, Krista and I played a mean game of scrabble. Not just any scrabble, but "Super Scrabble"...oh so happy! But I lost...bummer days.

So there it is...my bipolar week in a nut shell.

Oh...I almost forgot...less than two weeks 'til Social Distortion...happy, happy, HAPPY!!!

Unsafe Sex

So, whilst engaging in blissful slug-like, channel surfing behaviour late Saturday night, I was about to head to bed but thought I'd give my dish one more look through to see if anything worth while was on. It was almost 4 in the a.m. I was doubtful.

And then I found it...."Kondom des Grauens" or "Killer Condom".

Any one who knows me knows I am a fanatic for b-grade flicks, so naturally I HAD to check this little gem out. I was laughing out loud to myself within the first 30 seconds.

OK--OK, check this out, yo. It's a German "film" set present day in New York City and the lead character is a short, fat, chain smoking tough cop named Luigi Macaroni. Oh, did I mention he was also gay? The "film" doesn't get really good until a condom bites off his right testicle while he attempted to get his groove on with a young little man-whore after dumping his REEEAAALLY ugly cross-dressing boyfriend, Bob...or Babette at the central location of most of the "film", the "Hotel Quickie".

Did you happen to retain the whole "biting condom" concept in the above bizaare synopsis? Yes, a killer condom...a ravenous rubber with huge fangs and an appetite for blood...and a cute little squeeky voice, much like the voice Ash's lopped off hand had in "Evil Dead II". Classic.

By the time I went to bed at 4:30, not only had the carniverous contraceptive appropriated one of poor Luigi's nads, it had also killed 13 other men by...well...I'm sure you can figure that out. I never made it to the end of the "film" to find out why/how/where this evil condom came from. My need for sleep was far too great. But thanks to the miracle of satellite T.V. and the "Drive-Inn" channel, I'm sure another viewing of this classic is not far off.

SAULTORLEANS

As you may or may not be aware, a benefit has been organized to raise funds to aid those affected by Hurricane Katrina. The event, spear headed by Mike Prentice, will take place on Wednesday, September 21, 2005 at the Roberta Bondar Pavilion from 5 to 11pm.

There will be plenty of food, entertainment and chances for you to donate whatever you can to the Red Cross.

For full event details, please visit the "Sault Ste. Marie for Katrina Relief" website .

A challenged has been issued by our first sponsor, Herbal Magic, for other local businesses to sponsor the event. Answer the challenge and give generously.

Unbelievable....

This is a direct quote from Barbara Bush as she, George senior and former president Bill Clinton visited the Houston Astrodome where many of the evacuees from Hurricane Katrina were housed...

"...so many of the people in the arena here, you know, were underprivileged anyway, so this--this (she chuckles slightly) is working very well for them."

To read the full story, click the title of this post.

I Cried at Work Today

As I looked images of the utter devastation left behind by Hurricane Katrina, I realized just how lucky I was. I've always said it but never really had it demonstrated so drastically....


These people have lost everything and the loss continues to mount as the toxic water burying New Orleans festers in the hot humid weather.... and Tropical Storm Nate and Hurricane Maria are heading in their direction....

The E-Coli infested water is now being pumped out of New Orleans into the Mississippi River or Lake Pontchartrain, inevitably resulting in ecological devastation that will continue for years to come....

...life in North America has changed forever...

It Serves Me Right, I Guess...

When I posted the "White Trash" photo of Pat Gladu and I on my photo blog, I was thinking the three people who bother to look at the damn thing would be the only ones to see the opposite of flattering photo...I thought it would be funny...

...stupid me...

It turns out that two "friends" of mine conspired against me...two people I have never once slandered, snubbed or socially humiliated...two people I have only supported and been nice to...

Beth Boskovitch and Chris Belsito, be warned! I am getting quite good at photoshop and I have in my devilish little hands many photos of the both of you. Remember: Paybacks are a bitch and revenge is a dish best served cold...

To those who have no idea what I am talking about, click here. See what my wonderful "friends" did to me? But I suppose it does serve me right for (a) trusting Beth to take the photo and have it in her possession, (b) posing for the picture in the first place and (c) posting it on my photo blog.

That's one lesson learned. Now the two of them get to learn NEVER fuck with a scorpio...

UPDATED SEPT 3, 2005

So I just realized that I cannot link directly to the SooToday page with the incriminating photo. So just click on the link in the body of the post and select the heading "Be Brainwashed by Our Hot and Sexy 4-Day Arts and Entertainment Outlook"...I know you won't be laughing AT me but laughing WITH me, so go ahead...laugh...

How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb (a title by Stanley Kubrick for a story by Donna Hopper)

I fancy myself a creative sort.

I am often found painfully hunched over a project,sculpting ...carving ...scribbling ...birthing my latest inspiration. This happens in cycles and I inevitably collapse with a tired brain, bleeding eyes and an overwhelming sense of immense satisfaction, gazing like a proud parent at my offspring. Thankfully this process almost never results in post-partum depression.

Following such an ordeal, a creative draught ensues. During this dry season, "The Simpsons" and "CSI" dim my wits...stunt my creative growth...dowse my artistic fire, causing the moths of inspiration to flit towards a brighter flame.

Wow...perhaps I should serve some crackers with that cheese...

Anyway, my most recent dry spell was longer than most. It began to worry me. Friends and fans of past work asked, "Donna, why don't you make jewellery/sculpt/draw/photograph/paint any more?" to which I never had a satisfactory response. I honestly didn't know.

Thinking back, I now understand it was the result of various accumulated frustrations. Lack of support, theft of my original ideas and disappointment at my own short comings are the big three. Embracing my lethargy, I became content to sit back and observe the artistic world from the side lines.


Not long ago, I was invited to partake in the embellishment of the wall surrounding the new arena construction site. Thinking it would be a prime photo session rather than an artistic work out, I agreed to make an appearance. This appearance created an obsession.

The first day of painting was fun, sweaty and productive. I managed to complete two "paint and brush" pieces and was quite pleased with their outcome. I also shot almost an entire roll of black and white.

The following day, I returned and began work on a third, somewhat uninspired piece. Thinking to myself,"Self, you can't make it look any worse. You might as well." I reached for a can of spray paint.



As I gently shook the can and listened to the little mixing ball inside chatter, a blast of anticipation swept through me. With a long "psssht", I had officially defaced my own work...and it was beautiful. A loud, maniacal giggle erupted from me and I was hooked.

As I looked at the swirling, misty line I had sprayed across the wall, the true potential of this taboo art form became evident. I spent the rest of the night spraying and giggling and shaking those chattering cans until darkness inhibited me and my hand cramped to the point of tears...tears both from pain and from the inability to continue the graffiti.

For the next three days, I completely forgot about my camera and worked through the hand cramps.

I have since ravenously devoured this new found love for graffiti and have been researching artists, designing my own "tag" and scoping out local spots I would love to "bomb".....that's right, I'm down with the lingo....I even have my own spray can trigger (thanks Beth) and two "Sharpie Magnums" for those finishing touches. I am armed and ready. You may someday soon see my name in the "Police Files" for my beautiful crimes, but it will all be in the name of art.

My migration to the art of bombing, now, seems only natural. I have, long ago, embraced the sub-culture surrounding this art form....skateboarding, punk rock, the need for self expression....and with my latest wake up call, I plan to hopefully remove the stigma inhibiting this urban form of expression.

Well, there it is. My story of how I learned to stop worrying and love the bomb. Change your perspective and look at graffiti as an art form rather than a crime and you, too, can love the bomb.


* This story was originally written for the September 2005 issue of Articulations. No, I did NOT paint the artwork which appears with this story. I do, however, hope to be this good someday.

My Apologies to Big Suit

I am sending my apologies to the members of Big Suit for the addition of their website to my links...I know the link does not work, but I added it so a not so geeky computer geek can investigate the strange behaviour of the link between my blog and your site. It will be removed Friday in order to give him enough time to figure things out.

Thank you for your patience and sorry for offending anyone...

A Funny Thing Happened on My Way to The Resistance...

So I had a crazy punk rock weekend...

It all started Saturday night at the Downbeat Lounge. The The Flatliners were playing. They are a young, loud ska-punk band and a lot of fun...I enjoyed them very much. Sweet young lads....they showered me with merch....

Sunday night, Rob, Beth and I ventured out to the Oddfellows Hall to see the punk show. First on the bill was the Sault's own "Soldiers of Misfortune". They did a punk version of "Hot For Teacher" and I love them because of it.

Next up was an out of town band called "The Resistance". While doing a google search for the bands website in order to include a link to it here, I came across some interesting sights....white power....Iraqi war stuff....WWII stuff...but the most interesting one was The Christmas Resistance Movement ....I says 'pardon?'.... their tag line is "End the compulsory Christmas gift-giving madness!"

While they plead and interesting case against the tradition of Christmas, citing consumer debt, corporate greed and excess waste, I still think these people may be one candle short of a menorah. Check out the crazy Russian propaganda style poster!

Needless to say, I never did find a website for the band "The Resistance" which is unfortunate....they were my favourite part of the evening....nasty Joan Jett-type female singer backed by Distilleresque punk rock. I highly recommend finding them if you can....very cool....

The abrasive thrash-metal-punk-whatever band "Protest the Hero" was the third act of the evening. Couldn't get into them so much...too heavy for my taste but good at what they do....I guess....

After a short toke and a munchie run to Dairy Queen, we got to hear Death By Stereo and I enjoyed them....louder and harder than I remembered, but I enjoyed them regardless....

So all in all, it was a fun evening. We all had a good time once we got past the fact that we were twice the age of 99.9% of the audience. Got to observe the local punk youth in their natural habitat....quite interesting, colourful and violent....I could write a thesis....

An Open Letter....

This is an open letter to the individual who messed with my blog...

You see, I like to support my friends and a lot of my friends have bands and I like to link to their websites from my blog in order to show them that I support them and to give them extra exposure. Now, to make my blog permanently link to a picture of a squirrel with giant nads when I want to link to the "Big Suit" website is annoying, immature and NOT FUCKING COOL!! Grow the fuck up....

Just because you're a computer geek, living in your parents basement, popping zits and praying for the day you finally get laid, that's no excuse for hacking into other people's blogs...don't hate me because I have a life.

To everyone else....

The Big Suit website is up and running and looks really good. I would link to it here, but I can't...I would fix it but I don't know how 'cuz I'm not a computer geek and I have a life... so here is the address....www.bigsuit.ca....go check it out. Nice job, Brian.

I know it's not even September yet, but October is gonna be great!

I'm excited for October and here's why;

1. October 29 is my birthday....no presents please....money will be fine, thank you...

2. I'm taking a road trip with Beth and Dan on which we will see Cuff the Duke in Sudbury at the Townehouse and then see....are you ready?....SOCIAL DISTORTION!!! again in Toronto at the Kool Haus. I'm VERY excited! I know I just saw Social D. not too long ago, but I can't wait to see them again....

3. Another road trip will be happening at the end of October on which a large group of us will be going to see U2 in Aubern Hills, MI. VERY cool....

4. Halloween is my favourite holiday and it so happens to be in October.

I love October....

Super Fun Guy Has a Blog

The ultimate source of ham from Buskerfest 2005 has a blog...I repeat, the Cow Guy has a blog...link to it by clicking
here, or go to the "Brainwave Overload" link under the "Blogs, Rants and Stuff" heading.

It's a fun blog with interesting busker tales, a photo of Schwing Action, a letter written to alcohol and a shout out to...ME!! He even published my review of his performance in the Soo. My lawyers will be in contact soon, Brian, but don't let one little law suit get between friends, K?

My Friends are Freaks...

I hang out with some interesting characters. They say a lot of strange things. They need to be documented.

You will notice under "Slackhopper's Stuff and Things" I have added the "Quote of the Week". If you see me suddenly laugh, pull out a pen and paper from my purse and start to write furiously, you'll know why.

Be warned....

Bouncing Native Cow Greets the Home Boy

I was honoured at the thought of Olympic athletes being in our fair city and I had sky high expectations of Spring Action. The champion trampoline troup, coached by Heather McManus who represented Canada at the 2004 Olympics, delivered stellar performances to very loud and awestruck audiences through out the weekend.

Sean McManus played the bumbling, idiot clown as he executed some the most impressive stunts I have ever seen. The incredible shape he must be in to not actually hurt himself as he flips and flails on and off of the trampoline is almost incomprehensable. I found myself holding my breath for most of the show. They were definitely the big crowd pleaser of Buskerfest 2005.

With the lack of a website, I had no idea what to expect from Ash and Ruben Fasthorse. The only information I had was they were native and they danced....that was it. After seeing their first show, I was pleasently surprized.

Ruben is a very funny fellow who warms up the crowd joking about modern natives and political correctness. With quick head-dress and costume changes,he juggles, dances and sings to his wife, Ash. Then Ash performs some beautiful dances as she spins poi (sp?); vibrant flowing fabric during the day, and fire at night.

The highlight for me is the crazy hoop dance that Ruben does, the name of which I have forgotten. It is beautiful, entertaining and requires a great deal of balance, endurance and skill. Out of breath, he jokes at the end of the dance, "Try doing that at 34 years old." I don't think I could do it at 14 years old.


Multi-talented, super fun guy, Brian Wilson (AKA the Cow Guy) was our second repeat peformer at Buskerfest 2005. This time he arrived sans partner and still managed to have the impact of two performers.

Utilizing the skills he acquired through professional clown and circus training, he juggles, balances, spins, manipulates fire, jokes, makes balloon creations, plays with yo-yos, lassoo's young children and entertains like no other. He even poses for the camera at just the right moments...and he's just a really nice dude.

But I think his underwear is the real star of the Cow Guy show....if you caught his performance, you know what I am talking about.

Aside from what some in the community may think, Buskerfest does support our local talent. This year the Sault's supreme illusionist, Ryan McFarling, had the opportunity to demonstrate his freaky slight-of-hand skills.

During his Friday night performance in which he did a "Penn and Teller" type "this is how all magic is done" walk-through of a trick, he turned it around and tricked us anyway...a master of re-direction, he is. This kid is gonna go places.

Well, there it is....my performer reviews for Buskerfest 2005. Now, you may be thinking, "She HAS to say good things about everyone because she was one of the organizers." While that may be true, I truly did thoroughly enjoy every performance at this year's festival. And I am pleased as punch that I could be a part of bring such world-class entertainment to Sault Ste. Marie. I plan on doing it all again next year.