I Blame My Dad for My Coffee Addiction
My Eighth Grade Drink of Choice
I didn’t start drinking coffee until I was in the 8th grade. Anytime before then, my mom would treat it the same way she let me try alcohol. A sip here or there of the most wretched stuff, trying to deter me from drinking it. Apparently I had terrible times sleeping as a kid whenever I had hot chocolate or anything of the sort.
When I hit junior high I now had the freedom to wander wherever I wanted at lunch and eat and drink whatever I wanted. This accounted for me going to KFC every Tuesday in the ninth grade, but that’s another story for another time.
I first started out with the really sugary drinks – a caramel macchiato or vanilla fudge brownie latte, something with lots of flavour and whipped cream on top. When you’re 14 your only goal is the awesome whipped cream and not really giving two thoughts about the coffee.
But when I started going to high school, things changed a little bit.
Firstly, my dad gave me a ride to work everyday. This was a symbiotic relationship for the both of us. He got me to school on time, and since I was up early, it meant that he went to work on time too. I really enjoyed the morning drive with my dad, it was a consistent time of the day that we had together. We got to talk about sports or news or family stuffs and the drive wasn’t too long that we could ever get into anything to deep.
Now, the best part of driving to school with my dad, was stopping at Tim Horton’s in the morning. There was a drive thru about 2 minutes from my school on the main road, so it was the perfect pit-stop before school/work. Every Canadian knows Timmy Ho’s is the place to go for coffee, and being recently introduced to the drink, I was weary as what to order. I knew I wouldn’t want black, but I didn’t need to have coffee with my sugar.
Timmy Ho's
From seeing enough Tim’s ads on TV, I knew the classic All-Canadian coffee was the double double. I went with that and haven’t gone back.
One of the first things I ever bought when I moved into my first home away from home was a coffee maker, and a big container of Folgers coffee. This was a mistake. I still have about half the grounds left in that container. My roommates bought me Tim Horton’s coffee for my birthday, and I’ve never wanted to drink anything else.
I still stop at Tim Horton’s on the way to work in the early mornings and if I’m at home, I’ve always got my coffee maker ready to go.
Most people think that coffee addictions are on par with any other addiction. Frankly, I like my addiction. It brought me closer to my dad and will always be something we have.
So here’s to you Dad.
Image via Wikipedia
Orchestral Set No.2, II a
So I am busy doing some ‘studying’ for my listening to music class. Which is really just sitting here and being on the internet while I listen to some odd, and modern, and terrible music. All in preparation for my first of two finals on Monday. Not that both finals are on Monday, I just have two, and one of them is on Monday. The other is on Saturday. It’s in computer science. In case you cared.
Life for me has been rather peachy lately. I’ve done the more ‘partying’ in the last two days than probably all year. On Thursday after work, I came home and had some wine and drinks with my roommates. And yesterday I went to a friend of mine who I used to live in residence with and played poker. It was a $5 buy-in, and I thought I had a pretty good chance going in. I ended up placing third and a hand that I played right. I just got beat by a pocket pair. Unfortunately. Other than that, the night was good. We had to cab home because the stupid buses don’t run past 11:30 here. (That’s a little bit of an hyperbole, it’s more like 11:35.) We cabbed downtown and tried to catch a bus, to no avail, then we managed to meet up with some guys my friend knew, so we shared a cab with them, all the while talking very loudly with the cabbie about hockey and politics.
Thursday was a crazy adventure of it’s own. I had to go downtown to work. This involves me bringing: a recording box, 100 ft cables (x 2), two microphones, two microphone clips, a microphone bar, and a microphone stand. Well first, I take a bus down there, lugging all this equipment, then I get to the church, to discover that I can’t get in for another half hour. So with nowhere to go, and a big tub full of recording equipment, I head to the place where all the crazy’s go. McDonald’s. I essentially sat there for 20 minutes just watching all these 16 year olds come in with their 25 year old boyfriends and socialize. It’s so odd. Once I did get in, I start setting up, and realize that I don’t have a microphone clip. Just one, for two mics. Great. I made a few calls, with no success, so I decided to wait that one out and focus on my other stuff. Well that didn’t go so well either. The recording box I was using decided to not work for me. At this point the choir started showing up…
Now side-note: Everybody I have ever met has known That Guy. He’s the one in the class who seems to know everything about everything and feels the compelling need to tell everyone else what he knows. Well in my case, there were TWO That Guy’s in this choir. Both of them are in my recording techniques class and definitely wanted to help me out with the problem. Now, to make this simple, the recording box has one cable that goes from the box to the computer. So you can’t really screw that up. But nonetheless these guys were crouching down, trying to figure out what’s wrong with the cable, jiggling it, plugging it in and out. Even though it really wasn’t their job and they just wanted to be the hero. So ONE guy, who just so happens to work at a music store, get’s on the phone with his boss or someone, and starts asking what the problem is. By this time we’ve acquired a small congregation of onlookers trying to see why the recording guy is fucking up.
So when another member of the choir arrives, who is another recording tech, I ask him for his advice, and he said we should go get a new cable. But since he needed to be there with the choir, he gave me his car keys to drive back to the school. Which was quite a shock for me, no one has just given up their car to me for something like this. I thought maybe he’d drive me or something. But that was fine. It was the first time I’d driven a car in almost 4 months, but it’s just like riding a bike. Or so I’ve been told. (Thanks Dad)
Eventually I get back to the church with what I needed. And when I did get back, the other recording tech guy came in with a brand new box. Apparently he had gone to Long & McQuade and picked up a whole new rig. Anyways, the stuff eventually worked and the show went fine.
Goodness that was a long convoluted story.
Umm…Trying to remember what else is happening around here. Girlfriend and I are back together. We’re working things out, and going to try long distance over the summer. And see how that works out and then make a call then. (I think? Right Girlfriend?) She always searches my posts for mention of her name. So here it is! LOOK HERE GIRLFRIEND. Hi 
.
So, my second year is done. And after all these thoughts of switching schools and dropping out, I think I’m deciding to stay here. It just means less courses each semester. I feel like I’ve been doing better in most of my courses this year. We’ll see after I get the marks back. I’ve definitely become accustomed to getting B’s and C’s now. It’s not great, but I feel I’m learning it and still enjoying myself without pushing it to the breaking point.
The whole housing/living situation is getting pretty interesting here. My one, more well-off, roommate’s parents were here over easter. And it’s look like they’re going to buy us a house to live in next year. This is a crazy idea to say the least – in my opinion. I am perfectly fine living wherever and I feel like a house would be a little over the top. I have made this clear to these guys and I’m considering other options for living. Girlfriend and I still want to live together, and hopefully that can happen if I make lots of money this summer.
Well I guess I should get back to ‘studying’. I leave you with one of the pieces of contemporary music that I really like.
Later Days,
- J
Prelude & Fugue in G minor
So right now I’m sitting in the recording booth listening to a brass ‘choir’ play something called a Nonet. Who knows what it is. I decided to write a blog entry whilst I am recording though! Hurray for a terribly boring job.
My oh my it has been a long time since I have actually written a post in this blog. Lots has gone on. Maybe no particularly with me, but in the rest of the world. In my little corner of it though, much has stayed the same. I’m still in school, surviving my 3rd week already. Holy shit. Things are going to start picking up here soon so I’m going to get even more busy. Since I’m in a recording techniques class, much of my time this semester is going to be recording, OUTSIDE of the hours that I work. The class I am in is kind of redundant for me because this is my second year as a recording tech, and we’re suppose to have taken that course before we even START working as tech. Oops. Oh well. Tomorrow I will be recording some drums with a friend of mine to add to his tracks. It should be pretty fun, and kind of hard. I’m going to be the one playing drums. I’ve never actually recorded drums to a full track before, so we’ll see how I do. I will post the results later tomorrow afternoon.
I sent in my application to the Banff Centre earlier this week. This was a big step for me. Attending the Banff Centre has been one of my goals ever since I first heard about it in grade 11. I am skeptical about whether I will get in, but even sending in an application is a pretty big accomplishment for me. I hope I heard from them soon, the deadline is Monday, so hopefully sometime in early February I will find out.
Did you know I have a terrible time spelling the word February? Even though I was born in that month I still, after almost 20 years, can’t spell it right on the first try. It’s okay, you can laugh at me.
In the news lately, there’s been this whole Haiti thing. I don’t really understand it. Yes, I get that there was an earthquake and millions of people are pretty much fucked over. But it’s stupid how people will drop everything to try and help right away. Girlfriend told me that there was an earthquake of the same magnitude in Nicaragua some time in the past, which is in Central America, in case you were wondering http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nicaragua, and no one did anything to help. Why? Because we don’t like Nicaragua. Do we know why? Nope. Just didn’t want to help. But why do we want to help Haiti? Why not Rwanda? Or Iraq? Or Afghanistand? Oh right! That was our fault, not our problem to clean up. But if “Mother Nature” happens to fuck up Haiti, we ALL gotta JUMP up and save them. Imagine if all these funds for Haiti were going to Iraq or Afghanistan where we’ve already bombed the shit out of people.
Anywho, I hope I gave you enough to think about. I didn’t finish this entry until 2 days later…so maybe I’ll do a new one today or tomorrow to make up for it! I also have recordings from yesterday to include
Later days,
- J
A Few Thoughts on the First Month
So September has turned over rather quickly and already we’re into October. I find this quite amazing, I’ve survived a month of school.
Let’s take count of what I’ve done so far.
- Moved into my 4th home in one year.
- Started six new classes
- 4 Electrical Engineering Assignments
- 3 Linear Algebra Assignments
- 4 Music Theory Assignments
- 1 Listening to Music Assignment
- 5 Jazz Band Rehearsals
- 15 Hours of Work
- 25+ boxes of Peak Freans
- 5+ Solid Hours of Rock Band Played
So as you can see I’ve been a little busy. School is hectic and work sometimes makes that nicer, and sometimes not. Like today. Work tonight was really lame. Some world renown singer came in and made noises that I’ve heard my girlfriend make randomly. And apparently she gets paid to do this. I would compare it to listening to a Pentacostal worshipper speak in tongues. Weird stuff.
The last two things on that list relate to my roommates. I have moved in with three guys that I knew from last year and I think that has made a huge difference. Knowing each other, we can joke around and be a little more confrontational if we need to be. It makes living together a lot funner and easier. We all share meals, and D, who has become a good friend of mine, cooks most (if not all) of our meals. And we eat together. We divide up the food and the bill on a whiteboard and everything is generally hunky-dory. Three of us have a Peak Frean obsession (the cookies with the cream and the fruit jelly in the middle) and we can go through about 5 boxes a week. It’s a fun, slightly ridiculous thing we all have. And then there’s our rockband. My one (rather wealthy/frivolous) roommate went out and bought Rockband for the PS3 within the first week of living here. We all created outrageous characters and then a band. And it works out perfectly as we all have an instrument in which we enjoy. K, isn’t comfortable enough to play hard guitar, but medium is too easy, so he plays bass, I naturally play drums, D sings gloriously (seriously, the dude sounds like an angel sometimes) and B plays guitar. So we fit. They want to dress us as our band for halloween, but I’m not too keen. My character will be quite hard for me to reproduce on a budget. I’m thinking of just going as Elvis Costello/Buddy Holly.
Halloween Costume - Elvis Costello?
Halloween Costume - Buddy Holly?
We had a party last week which was eventful to say the least. We had some friends over and watched the Flames beat the Oilers, and then K’s girlfriend wanted to watch Animal House. The rest of the party goers didn’t think this idea was too hot, but she was fairly addament about watching this movie. I find this is kind of ridiculous, and this applies to anyone who throws a party at someone else’s house. If you are throwing a party, make that clear, don’t leave it to the house owner to throw it, you should be there. You should be there before to clean up, prepare and help out, not arriving at the specified time. This way, you can make your plan clear, and organize any alternatives if need be. So already that was not going well. Then she added alcohol to the mix and things did not turn out in her favour, which looked even worse on her part. She did get to watch her movie, albeit on a laptop in the kitchen. After the game, some friends from my old old (original) rez and I went back to see the new renovations that had occured over the summer. And the place is so nice, it sucks to be the last one in a place that gets changed after you leave. It’s happened a lot to me…
Anyways, I get back home, and my friends take off, and then, the real fun starts. 7 RANDOM people, walk into our house, and start snooping around and eating our stuff. By this time, K is dealing with his girlfriend, and B went off with his, so D and I are left to defend our kingdom on our own. We eventually get them settled into the living room, and it is clear that these folk are drunk, high, crunk, whatever the fuck you wanna call it. They were gone. So that was fun to handle. I did my best to just be chill and accept them and try to get them to leave on their own terms, but D wanted them out ASAP, but was far too kind to just kick them out. Eventually we did get them to leave, and immediately locked the door.
So Saturday was an interesting night to say the least.
My reviews have been peppering the Martlet in the last few weeks, and I got an email from the new arts editor this week about meeting him about doing some more stuff. So maybe I’ll be able to do show reviews and band interviews and stuff! Budding new music journalist here! Watch out!
In other news, I am staying here for Thanksgiving. My girlfriend and I are going to a potluck which should be nice. (No dishes! Woo!) Also, my jeans should be here soon! So very excited for those! Thank you again if you read this!!
I’m trying to think of what else to write about. Jazz band is frustrating as always, still no respect from the percussionists. Still can’t practice. Haven’t got anything to play. So it’s pretty lame. I had to put the vibraphone in a recording room last week because no percussionists were there to let me in. Apparently the percussion instructor guy wasn’t too happy. But I really had no other choice unless he wanted someone to steal them. But whatever.
The VJ results get posted in 6 days if you are keeping track! So stay tuned for that. Also, more videos to come in the Em Vs. Jay challenge! Me thinks I’m winning. I might also do a post soon of what I’ve been listening to lately!
What has your September been like? Done anything thrilling? Tell me!
I think that’s about all! Have a good night, morning, day, wherever you are.
Later days,
- J
Long Road Ahead
So as I type this I am listening to Velvet Brown play the tuba. Well actually right now she’s talking. I have never seen one performer talk so fucking much. I can’t stand it. Players should just come out and play. If you want to talk become a fucking actor.
As you can see, or read, I suppose, I am a little grumpy right now. Today has been a really long day. I was up @ 8, class @ 9:30, break for 2 hours, classes from 12:30 – 2:30, break, class @ 3:30, break for dinner, then two hour jazz band practice and then work.
Now if you don’t know, I work as a recording tech at the school of music here at UVic. I record quite a few of the concerts that roll in and out of this place. From tuba recitals, to the jazz band to the wind symphony. So yeah, I basically just press record and sit on my computer, but it’s still work. And it’s days like these that it’s no fun. I also work the next three days, so I really hope that I don’t die. I’d be really happy on that fact. It’s really fun some of the time, and the opportunities are great, just with 6 classes it’s not so fun always.
Now today was my first Jazz band rehearsal, and it was pretty friggen lame. Since I’m doing the auxillery percussion and don’t actually own any of my own instruments, I didn’t actually get anything to play today! I sat there for two hours doing absolutely nothing. I did do my music homework though! So that’s always nice. Hopefully I’ll be able to access some of the stuff, like vibes, or shakers. I doubt it’ll happen, so we’ll see.
So, if you are coming from the MuchMusic VJ site and reading my blog, then you should leave a comment! Because that’d be nifty! I really need to get on that video. It’s pretty hard to think up things to say about yourself while not sounding like a douche (Props to Jenn, who does a Vlog (ThoseWeekendGirls in the blogroll). Maybe this weekend if I get around to it. But leave me a comment MM viewers! (If you’re out there!)
Classes are going okay, my electrical engineering class sucks a lot though. We had the lab for it again today, and I have mentioned that it’s like teaching a parent how to use a mac when they’ve used windows all their life. It’s so fucking stupid. I got alot of my friends to send the prof an email about how bad it was, and he’s offering help and taking the computer part off the assignment. Which is nice. I’m going to go to him for help and see if I can understand it at all. So we’ll see how that one goes.
I’ve just gotta say that all my blogging counterparts out there, you guys stink. I feel like everyone hopped on the blog train and now they’re too lazy to actually do it. So to all of you out there. BLOG MORE. We want to read about your life without actually having to talk to you about it so that we can feel apart of your life without offering help advice or actually being there….Just sayin….
I suppose I should get back to work now. Just wanted to drop a quick update. This may be the last post I ever write if things go poorly. I could be dead by next week from all this work.
Later days,
Love,
- J
