wrestling for the spirit

At our family Christmas get-together, which we held early because it's so complicated now, nothing speaks of the good will and sharing spirit like a good, old-fashioned arm wrestle amongst the women-folk.
There were many aspiring females going up against each other, all vying for the title of mother goddess of the seasonal festivities. I, in my foolish and out-of-shape shape (i've been saying for the last year that it's at an all-time low - must get the bike out more - ), i threw myself into the fray, and i lost, no excuses, i was just shit on a skinny arm stick.
Here are some pics: getting set, getting the grips set, screwing up my face to try and focus, and the final fall-down.
I'm proud to say that i have finally stopped demanding of myself that i always win (a habit begun in grade one, when i was sooooo bored).
May the force be with you all.

Oh, and lest we forget: here's a video with some of the sweetest sounds in the world (a baby's laugh), as a reminder of what it's really all about.

christmas makes me feel emotional.....

that's the intro to the old christmas song "Silver Bells", which I sang in front of the whole school at the Christmas program, about 100 years ago, when i was in grade three. the illustrious start of coming a long way, baby. my nights out are better now.

but in fact, i'm emotional today not because of christmas, but because of some venue owners here in my lovely city, who make it very difficult for any musicians.

my younger brother used to yell at his enemies when he got very, very angry: "peepy poo plop!!" it was the worst invective his 4-year-old mind could imagine. Well, I'm with you, brother!! Peepy poo plop on all the venue owners i don't like.

had some fun last week, singing with some musicians that i hadn't seen in a while. and now, in the accompanying short video and photos, you can enjoy some of that fun, which is all i want to have, after all.

merry christmas to all, and to all a good light

getting to be the busy season, so i'll send all my good wishes out now, and escape the mall where the local library has the good computer.

and speaking of wishes, why not put mine out there in the universe? ok, then....

i'd like a European tour, including eight stops at the best cities, with my band of luminaries to travel with me (the musicians, i mean). just a-singing, and a-traveling, and speaking lots of different languages, and having a few stops at a spa or two. nothing too grand, these are the basics.

please, oh great spirit of music, and saint cecilia too, won't you help a poor talented singer?

and by the way, if there's any money out there, I'd really like to get into the studio again, with some of the aforementioned fabulous musicians, to record a whack of new songs. the CD cover is all ready....here it is (i'm the tiny tiny, underwater swimmer, searching the huge ocean bottom of the unconscious for beautiful, musical ideas).

p.s. don't forget to look on youtube for various tunes, including Christmas Blues. Ta.

an unhappy memorial day

Today is always an awful reminder of the Montreal massacre: 14 very bright women shot by a jerk who hadn't any brains or self-esteem. Very unfortunate for him, but why not get help? Why take out his failings on people who had something to offer? It's still the same old story – the bullies and lower species are the ones who want all the power, - because their own lives are so empty and useless.

I was devastated, as so many others were, when this occurred in 1989. I went to the memorial events each year following. Six years after it happened, I wrote a song about it; eleven years later I sang it at a live recording session; and now, twenty-two years later, I'm putting it online because the same crap still happens every day.

Men still disrespect; employers still pay less; whole countries repress women and girls and allow atrocious acts to be committed by the animals who believe it's their right to own and abuse.

Fortunately, there are many men out there who know better, and who love and help and support. I thank them and all those who work to improve our world, not bring it down more.

just how moronic can people become?

Well, I haven't managed to get to the computer to catch up lately, so this post will really be three in one. First the rant, the one about the moronic people:

It's really not worth wasting any time on stupid people, but – COME ON!! - a U.S. Woman pepper-spraying other shoppers on the aptly-named Black Friday? (another piece of marketing idiocy, by the way). She must be such a loving mother, to want so much to buy the crap that is pushed on us for her children. They will no doubt grow up to be just like her.

So, OK, what is worth speaking about? 1. the real work that many people do to make positive change in the world; 2. music, music, music – the kind that is inventive, melodic, and likewise has a positive message; 3. warm, sunny weather when it comes; 4. good writers; 5. parents who spend time with their children, and who mercifully aren't perverted like so many coaches, or church and community 'leaders'; 6. children who do homework instead of trashing others on the internet; 7. the 'help others' movement; 8. men who dance and don't carry guns; 9. the Toronto student who created a school production against bullying.

There. Now i feel better. And not to be negative again, but i must mention this: I had my radio rant on the 26th of Nov. (canoefm.com – the last saturday of the month – 9pm for December, then 10pm to midnight after that – it's Zoe's Haphazard Saturday Night Show). I just couldn't fail to comment about the less-than-human specimen we have locally who murdered his ex-wife and his own 3 daughters. No, Mr. witless wonder, it's not an 'honour' killing. It's totally dishonourable and despicable.

Onward and upward. Item number 2:

Went to the Women's Blues Revue on Saturday night (my radio show was pre-recorded), and saw two women singing that i'd never seen before and really liked: Kat Danser, a new voice on the scene, and Alda Lee, who has sung with every major jazz bandleader in the US, but now lives in Peterboro, Ont. Great night of music, and band, and many other performers. Now, you're probably asking yourself, “Why hasn't Zoe ever sung there?” Me too. I'm a blues & jazz singer; I've written lots of blues songs...I think we all need to find out what gives.

My third and last item:

Got two new (home-made) videos up on youtube recently, for your 'wasted days and wasted nights' viewing pleasure (apologies to Freddie Fender; i like that song of his).

Plus: Marg Stowe put a third video up there of the tune I performed at the celebration of Daisy Debolt's life and music on Oct. 24 this year. It's a song I wrote, but one whose message I thought Daisy would like. Marg's on guitar, and George Koller plays bass, alongside my piano plunking; they make the song sound fantastic. It was a beautiful night with many musicians performing and remembering Daisy.

keep those cards and letters coming

just letting y'all know that i have put another song of mine on youtube -
titled "Unsung Song"
and did i mention "Christmas Blues" was up last week? it's a more interesting tune than the usual fare.

why can't i have some money, or at least water?

even though it's a lovely sunny day, much too warm for november, which i am loving, still i have lots about which (like the grammar?) i can complain. no money is a constant - i have songs i would like to record and/or promote, but of course, everything costs. here's me being miserable. (the black & white photo).

and now i have to earn what money i can by ruining my day with some underage trouble-makers, which is to say, supply teaching. not looking forward to that.

and for some reason, (is the universe telling me that i need to "flow" better? as in 'go with the flow', OR WHAT??!!! i've got a bathtub faucet that won't work - more money needed - then my kitchen taps started spouting and leaking last night, so that even the pail underneath wasn't sufficient. help me, lord. give me strength (or money). i mean, i love water - here's me loving it. i am so in the swim here.
(the other photo, although i notice there's an ominous shadow over it).

i'll try, i will, to focus, and create something good from this - perhaps a song?