Sunday, February 28, 2010

Joy

With all sincerity, I have to say that this was one of the best weeks I've ever had - at least since I was an adult.
1. Leatherface in Toronto at Wrongbar - this show was jam packed with diehard fans, including many old friends who I had not seen since the summer I met Rob (almost 12 years ago). So, the air was electric, and the band was tapped into this, I think. They played a really good, long set, and the crowd screamed and jumped along with every word. It was the best show I've seen in my life. I had that feeling, like when I was a teen, of being completely overwhelmed and blissed out. All of the new songs were well-recieved, and it was a dream come true to see Frankie and to be in his presence, doing the thing he does. We stayed late, and we laughed a lot. It was amazing.
2. Leatherface in St. Catherines at L3 - I took the bus home on Tuesday, and then got into the car to see the band again with Rob. This show was different; the point at which the crowd was largest was when Fucked Up played -- and they were terrible. I wanted to give them the benefit of the doubt, but the lead singer was such an asshole that I couldn't watch past two or three songs. It made me realize how much I need a melody in my punk music, and to understand at least some of the lyrics. Who gave these guys an award??? But one of my oldest, dearest friends came to this show, and I played pool with a new dear friend for a few hours, muddling through my version of British rules ("TWO SHOTS") and humiliating myself with my lack of skill and witty reparte. I made new friends, and an offer to help out some folks if they need it, and suddenly felt like I'd been invited on the boat.
3. Leatherface in Toronto at the Bovine Sex Club - pints at a pub before the show, plenty of hang time with friends before LF went on, and visits with even more people who I had not seen for a while. Sinkin' Ships played acoustically, which is my favorite way to see them play, but their set was far too short. And then LF played again, and it was a very different experience, especially after seeing them in St. Catherines. There is an intimacy with the Toronto crowd, even when Mark buys them a round of shots and it all goes pear-shaped. When the show ended we travelled to the Sinkin' Ships practice space and spent hours talking shit and strumming guitars, turning each other into Rock Gods (although really, I just pressed myself against the sofa and took it all in).
4. My last scheduled shift at Ulrich's included two of my favorite groups of people - no one was rude to me and I was tipped relatively well. I don't think there were any problems at all. Most importantly, my life as a waitress is over.
5. Powder Keg weekend in Buffalo. It has been snowing like a mo-fo, but this is exactly what the city needs at the moment. Finley & I made snow forts, and then I engaged in some puddle-engineering with an old friend - it felt like fourth grade spring melt up north, digging channels and re-routing the water that was filling the streets which were clogged with slush. I went for dinner with two friends, and then Finley, Rob and I went downtown later in the evening to see the glowing ice maze, and to throw snowballs at each other - all in all, a great night.

My life is good. I'm surrounded by supportive, creative, interesting and kind people almost all of the time, and I need to be grateful for them more often than I am.