Still cool as fuck

 |   January 6 2011  

new radio show intro. still needs some fixin’

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 |   January 5 2011  

 |   January 2 2011  

I don’t think I usually do year-end recaps. I can’t remember, and I’m too lazy to check. But here goes …

Started out with me waving goodbye to a fiscal year of hell thanks to a bunk employer in 2009 —so I’m glad 2009 is gone for good. We released the first liquid vapours EP in March and played a few great shows. Got to see/meet the Strawmen at the ECMA no-case show. Quit smoking. Had an awesome time at the wilderness cabins with Erin, Danielle, and Geoff. Had a fairly adventurous motor-biking season with Erin. Riding most everyday from april onward, and we had an awesome time at bikefest, and at the red island run. Bill and I wrote tons of songs in June, and the Vapours recorded in August, creating 2010’s opus, DeVilla! I also got to visit Toronto and and had an awesome time hanging with John Bruce, Daniel, and Gabrielle.

2010 wasn’t without it’s downers though. The potter’s were having a rough go this year (now happily patched-up!). The passing of Johnny — a great guy and fellow biker — left a big impression on me and 2010 as a whole. The whole thing still feels surreal and hard to believe. Shortly afterward, Erin and I relocated to Charlottetown (which is good), but again not without it’s snags. I broke my finger in early October, which put an end to my riding season. And a few work contracts during our first few months proved to be less then rewarding. In fact, a few Charlottetown business owners have been incredibly misleading, and …well … cheap. Our dwelling situation has been incredible annoying as well. Can’t wait to move to the country.

Then .. .things start to look up, despite the arrival of the xmas season. The Vapours played a short 2-day tour, and probably one of our best shows to date (preceded by one of our worst), John Bruce was down for the holidays and we had one of the best nights of the year playing records at Babas. Then we recorded one of best drunken split radio shows. Got to do lots of drinking over the holidays, lots of great hangouts with Erin, broadway, tmax (and even mink) on our first xmas as a real family. Which is exciting.

So, there you have it. 2010. I feel like so many fun things happened this year, that I’m not doing them justice by this measly little post. You don’t even understand. 2010 was intense.

2011 is tomorrow. I’m not big on resolutions, but I have a few things I’m going to be working on.
New music projects, more involved podcasts, more design work, meeting more vegetarians and making non-vegatarians disappear from my daily life, I want a new motorbike this year, a straight razor, a pork pie hat (long overdue).
There’s probably some other things I’m going to do. But … we’ll see.
‘Til then … ciao.

Actually, I’m not done. Bill did a little shout-out list last year, and that was a good little format he had going, so here’s my final shout-out for 2010. If I forget you, blame the wine. :)

Bill —been a crazy year dude. We’ve been together on the frontline of a lot of stuff this year. Cheers to 2011, hopefully we’ll see a lot of each other, and I’m still going to punch you in the face.

Evan —the glue that holds the band together. the voice of reason. Thanks for being so enthusiastic, and helping the band get where it is. Right where we want it. ;)

Red — haven’t known you that long, man. but you’ve got the chops, and we’re gonna need you in 2011, for sure.

Tom — thanks for supporting the vapours, the radio show, and being an all around nice dude. Definitely need some more real life hang time in 2011.

Ryan H —tech support, design support, vapours support. just keep doing what you’re doing. and we’ll have to get you up to see the pup, and have some nice gahan beers.

Kira — the most consistent and reliable friend I have. good seeing ya those couple times. see ya in 2011 for sure. ditch montreal though.

Tyler — only been in ch’town a couple months, and you’re already getting me excited to create some artwork in 2011. here’s hoping it’s any good.

Danielle — move to Charlottetown. you belong here. but either way, hope to see you lots in 2011 for drinks and wildlife cabins?

John Bruce — everyone needs a friend like you. talk music, gear, art, and chicks. there’s not much i can say to you that you don’t already know. Just keep it real, stay cool, and move the fuck away from toronto before you become an asshole.

Daniel — my most unreliable friend. but still one of the best. haha. had a blast hanging with you this summer. it’s always a fun time. come visit.

Gabrielle — every time we hang out, it’s a fantastic time filled with drinks, great music, and laughs. come visit, and make Daniel come.

Erin — as much as I’m stoked about last year’s motorbiking awesomeness with you, I’m really excited to start this new stretch of life in Charlottetown — roller derby and poll dancing action! love you!

that’s it. Sorry if I forgot you, or forgot any important events, or made you sound less cool the you are.
See you peeps in 2011.

—j

 |   December 31 2010