Thursday 28 September 2017

Sunday 24 September 2017

S.o.t.D. - Spacer Woman – Charlie

Spacer Woman – Charlie

From 1983, and new to me. Italo–Disco was a genre that completely slipped me by. Totally hokey and clunky in some respects, and totally fun and catchy in others.

Saturday 23 September 2017

S.o.t.D. - Youth Without Youth – Metric

Youth Without Youth – Metric

Really tight band that crafts really catchy, 80’s new wave influenced rock, that I should pay more attention to. Canadian too eh!

Purple Dahlias

I think they’re dahlias?

Bryce Huffman Paintings

Sadly, Bryce Huffman is leaving Cottage 13. He’ll still be putting his fine tattoos on people, just at a different shop. And he’ll still be doing his fine paintings, but they just won’t be hanging up at the shop. :-(

Tuesday 19 September 2017

Uli’s Stairs pt.2

I’ve mentioned these before.

Possibly my favourite thing in Hamilton.

I’ve been there a bunch of times since I posted those photos (6 years ago already - yikes), but hadn’t bothered taking any more.


Took some friends and their kids there on Sunday. A few changes, but still the awe-inspiring combo of an amazing feat of one (in his 70’s [!] )man’s ingenuity and hard work, and a beautiful natural area.
When I take my millions, and build the giant theme park of my dreams, it will feature stairs like this leading up to all sorts of magical sites.
Uli has added his own whimsical sign to the official legalese sign.
The lookout as you walk up.
The lookout.
Top of the stairs.
And Uli’s warning sign at the top.
The reward at the top. The Red Hill Valley.
The Niagara Escarpment.
And then I was dropped back off close to home.

Tuesday 12 September 2017

S.o.t.D. - Hope – Gidge

Hope – Gidge

I give up hope of ever knowing every amazing artist, because I seem to discover a new one once a week.

Monday 11 September 2017

S.o.t.D. - Growth – Gidge

Growth – Gidge

If you love B.o.C., you’ll dig this. Very different, but it plays in the same part of the range.

Wednesday 6 September 2017

Monday 4 September 2017

S.o.t.D. - Something’s Gotten Hold Of My Heart – Marc Almond & Gene Pitney

Something’s Gotten Hold Of My Heart – Marc Almond & Gene Pitney

I loved Nick Cave’s version of this on Kicking Against The Pricks, but this duet might even top that.

The geometric dance of Earth & Venus over an 8-year period

Signage: Adler’s

When you have to pee really badly and duck into an alley to do it, you sometimes find gems.

The lack of an area code before the number dates this to over 20 years old.

Anyone want some 3" foliage green / sage green 17337 nylon webbing?

A while back I saw that Princess Auto had some 3" 17337 nylon webbing. Hhhmmmhh... 3 inch is hard to find, I could use some for water bottle holders for the pack I’m designing. Kind of an odd foliage green / sage green colour though, not olive green, so strike against it. But ultimately, $45 for a 100 yards that I could only see myself using a small amount of sporadically ... I’ll pass.

I see my pal Andrew last night who has a part time gig there. We’re talking about the little treasures you can find at Princess Auto. Mention that webbing.

“Yeah it went on sale, half the price, manager slashed the price even more, I got an employee discount - $9. I’ve got them in the trunk of my car. I’ll give you one.”

It’s still not my preferred colour, it’s still way more than I can see myself using - but hell, a free roll of webbing is okay in my books.

Sunday 3 September 2017

S.o.t.D. - Teeth Will Be Provided – Test Dept.

Teeth Will Be Provided – Test Dept.

A video that shows not just the theatricality of Test Dept., but also the intense physicality of that live show. Not to mention, awesome drumming.

Saturday 2 September 2017

S.o.t.D. - Procession – New Order

Procession – New Order

There is so much New Order’s done that’s great, but this one...woooo boy.

One of the first things they put out after Ian Curtis’s suicide, and while it still has that incredibly propulsive bass and drum driven Joy Division sound, it isn’t quite as sludgy. That jangly guitar and the clearer higher vocals of Bernard Sumner – it’s one of Martin Hannett’s best production jobs. But there is also just a hint of what was to come in the next few years. Buoyant song.

Sept. 1st Sunrise and Sunset

One of the only benefits of waking up at way too early AM is catching a nice sunrise.
One of the benefits of having friends who live up high is catching a nice sunset.