Monday, April 24, 2006

Coachella in 5 sleeps

I just spent a few minutes looking around the Coachella site and I've got to say... I'm finally starting to get pretty pumped! I've been ever so unpleasantly stressed of late that I really have had no time to get excited about anything. Now that the surprise 30th birthday party finally has a bit of structure (dress is bought, invites are out, room is booked, Grocery Gateway order placed, booze purchased), and work is starting to feel like a normal job (I just lied - it doesn't yet, but I haven't lost all optimism yet...), I feel a bit better about taking off for several days to the warm, welcoming climate of southern California.

I was just glancing through the lineup (I actually have the Coachella Real Player on right now!) and although I know a lot more bands this year vs. last (thank you KEXP), I feel less like I'm planning to see certain ones - don't get me wrong - I will dance to the Scissor Sisters and there are a few Canadian notables that I won't miss: Metric, the Dears, Wolf Parade, but for the most part, I'm looking forward to having the music, sunshine and beautiful, beautiful environs wash over me as I lay in on the grass, blissfully appreciating.

Posted by Brown Eyed Girl :: 10:50 AM :: 8 Comments:

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Saturday, April 15, 2006

Where in the hell has she been?

So I was looking for a new job in January, found one in February, went to Cuba, (I'm very meh on Cuba, I must say - ants in the hotel, terrible service and we nearly got robbed by our maid. Nice beach through) came home and I’ve been in Montreal ever since. I’ve not been home except for the occasional weeknight and most weekends. I fly out at 7 AM every Monday morning (which means I’m up at 430 AM) and back in the city around 7-ish Friday nights. I’m exhausted. I’ve been chastised to no end about my lack of blog writing. I feel badly about having neglected my site. I feel even worse about not ever seeing my sister, friends and about the fact that I’ve somehow become accustomed to only five hours sleep.

The highlight of the last several weeks is I think… when my new boss and I got escorted out of the office at midnight by the cleaning staff – they’d waited an extra half hour for us to finish up. My boss’s car was locked into the parking garage so I had to drive it out of downtown to the airport the next morning for our 8 AM flight. Gha.

On the upside, I had a great meeting last weekend – making the late nights worth it (yawn). Hopefully from this point on, things start to settle down. I’ll still be in Montreal each week – but I’ll finally start working from home a few days per week. Plus I do have tons of super cool free stuff. So I’m starting to see the upside. I might have time to do something other than laundry and re-packing my suitcase….

Posted by Brown Eyed Girl :: 10:13 PM :: 3 Comments:

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Tuesday, February 14, 2006

Happy Valentines Day!

Valentines day has not been one that I've much enjoyed in many years. It's always reminded me of my father - every year as far back as I can recall, my dad would give each of us girls flowers for Valentines Day. For many years, I couldn't even imagine receiving flowers and usually asked to not have them sent to me. I guess it has as much to do with the fact that he was really beginning to slip away from us around this time - it was clear to us at this point what was going to happen. And so, 15 years later, I'm still reminded of this today.

What makes this year different is my approach, I suppose. I'm really taking this year - the year that I head into 30 - as a no-holds-barred great year. That being said, I have no recourse other than to approach today with the same attitude. So in some small tribute to the day and to the memory of dad, I decided to share some of my happiness with those I care about. So... as I write this, roses are on their way to one of my best friends, to my mother and to my grandmother. And I picked up something pretty cool for the boy too...

Smiles everyone!

Posted by Brown Eyed Girl :: 10:21 AM :: 5 Comments:

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Wednesday, February 08, 2006

And... We're Done.

So I gave my notice on Monday. Yup, goodbye old company, hello new job! I'm going into a HUGE new job and kind of feel like I'm going to be giving up a TON of time to this. At the same time, I feel like this job is the one I've been planning my whole life for. If I want to be a VP or Director someday, this is the job that will get me there. Yikes. I am so very excited. And nervous. And excited. Gha.

So now, other than being mental with work and trying to wrap it all up - my main concern is this:

Mexico?
LA?
Vegas?
Disney?

Posted by Brown Eyed Girl :: 11:05 PM :: 5 Comments:

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Friday, February 03, 2006

So Here's Where I've Been...

“I’ve been busy” sounds a bit lame, therefore I’m going to catch you up in some detail as to why I’ve not been around as much of late…

1. I’m looking for a new job. I’ve been meeting with headhunters, interviewing and this week flew to Montreal for more interviews (don’t worry, I’m NOT relocating!). there was a bit of scramble last night as I pulled my references together – I don’t know why I hadn’t done this before as eventually someone would ask for them, but I just wasn’t expecting it to happen so fast!
2. I’ve been ardently looking for a condo. To BUY. Yikes. I’ve met with the bank, I’m pre-approved, everything is in place, I only have to find the right place. Easier said than done… a one bedroom condo with parking that’s larger than 500 square feet – and not a quarter of a million dollars – NOT EASY TO FIND. That said, I have a feeling about the one I’m seeing tomorrow… (yes, another feeling!)
3. Work has been extraordinarily busy. Year-end financials, executing the 2006 plan – all things that eat up time like there’s no tomorrow.
4. Toronto International Film Festival Top Ten Canadian Films mini-festival. I’m seeing my third film tonight and last weekend attended a discussion panel with the Director of Oscar-snubbed Quebec film C.R.A.Z.Y. and Atom Egoyan of Where The Truth Lies.
5. Concerts! I’ve seen Broken Social Scene, the Constantines & Deadly Snakes, the CBC show at the Phoenix, We Are Scientists and Imogen Heap.
6. A Play! Soulpepper's Our Town.
   

Anyhow, things should calm down around the end of February (hopefully!). Although I’ve been less attentive to writing, I’ve not missed any of your postings… You know who you are!

Great weekend everyone

Posted by Brown Eyed Girl :: 2:44 PM :: 1 Comments:

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Tuesday, January 31, 2006

Would You Look At That...

Coachella 2006

http://www.pitchforkmedia.com/news/06-01/31.shtml

Saturday, April 29:
Depeche Mode, Franz Ferdinand, Sigur Ros, Common, Damian Marley, Atmosphere, Carl Cox, My Morning Jacket, Ladytron , Clap Your Hands Say Yeah, Tosca, Cat Power, Animal Collective, Hard-Fi, Derrick Carter, Devendra Banhart, She Wants Revenge, The Walkmen, The Juan Maclean, Audio Bullys, Imogen Heap, Lady Sovereign, Deerhoof, The Duke Spirit, Editors, stellastarr*, Lyrics Born, Matt Costa, The New Amsterdams, The Zutons, Platinum Piped Pipers, White Rose Movement, Chris Liberator, Colette, Joey Beltram, Hybrid, Wolfmother, The Like, Living Things, Nine Black Alps, The Section Quartet, Infadels, Youth Group, Shy FX & T Power, Infusion

Sunday, April 30:
Tool, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Bloc Party, Paul Oakenfold, Scissor Sisters, Matisyahu, James Blunt, TV on the Radio, Sleater-Kinney , Mogwai, Coheed and Cambria, Gnarls Barkley, Coldcut, Phoenix, Digable Planets, Amadou & Mariam, Little Louie Vega, Mylo (DJ Set), Seu Jorge, Wolf Parade, The Go! Team, Kaskade, Metric, Art Brut, Dungen, The Dears, Jamie Lidell, The Magic Numbers, Los Amigos Invisibles, Jazzanova, Michael Mayer, Mates of State, Gilles Peterson, Gabriel & Dresden, The Subways, Minus the Bear, Be Your Own Pet, Giant Drag, Kristina Sky, The Octopus Project

It seems day two is Canada day with the Dears, Wolf Parade and Metric, all of whom I've seen in the last year. I'm so excited, I think I just threw up in my mouth. I'm also super pumped about booing James Blunt and singing along with the Scissor Sisters? Think they'll go into to Take Your Momma Out with the Take Me Out, Franz Ferdinand intro???

Posted by Brown Eyed Girl :: 3:19 PM :: 1 Comments:

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Friday, January 27, 2006

Who's the poser?

So Greektown got us on the list for a NO COVER live concert event at the Phoenix last night – it was a CBC thing – they were taping a bunch of bands for a TV special and we were part of the crowd shots. Or rather would have been, if we were actually standing in the crowd. No, we decided to get pissed, standing off to the side (as we are wont to do) with some other rather camera-shy people (read as: not hoochied to eyeteeth and dying to show all their friends just how indie-music trendy sick they all are by being at the show and saying “see, there I am”… standing impassively in the crowd – too cool to show any enthusiasm. Toronto show audiences annoy me and I am loathe to appear as one of them – I rather enjoy reveling in my contempt. Ahem, Greektown’s contempt.).

So there we are, having drinks and LOVING the show – the lineup was Kyle Riabko (you all know that I LOVE this kid), Ron Sexsmith, Graft Noel (that can’t be right), Matt Mays and El Torpedo, The Constantines and the Stills. Milling around us were several shaggy-haired dudes that had that kind of put-upon “I’m in a band look.” Well, that and they had a manager guy buying them drinks and hoochies hanging around them. So seriously, these guys were out there like they were the goddamn Arcade Fire. Neither Greektown nor I had any idea who they were and for a while, actually thought that either Matt Mays , the Cons or the Stills had gone through an extreme makeover episode and ended up wearing ascots…

At one point, I leaned over and asked one of the guys standing near us (remember, we’re VERY chatty when we’re properly pissed) and asked what band those guys were in. He points to one of them and says “I think that guy’s Kevin Federline.” “Oh,” I said, “I’m pretty sure that guy is Michael Hutchens back from the dead.” As the night wore on, our confusion deepened. Who were these guys? The ascot guy comes over to his posse at one point and reports back to the group that a girl approached him at the bar and asked if he was in a band. “Yes, I’m in a band” he replied with as much condescension possible. Their manager (the ascot’s brother) actually cornered some media-type girl and did an interview. More confusion.

Finally, near the end of the night, our curiosity got the best of us… they had to be somebody? With all the courage of a six-pack of beer backing me up, I touched the shoulder of who can only be described as music’s equivalent of the comic book store guy in the Simpson’s. “Hi there… you seem to know your way around here – I think you’ve talked to just about anyone who’s anyone… do me a favor – what band are those guys in?” Comic book store guy (not at all seeing through my drunken flattery), after telling me a story about how he’s good friends with every major Canadian band (yawn), explains that they’re Shaker, working on their first record. Apparently Sam Robert’s manager is dating someone in the band and they’ve performed with Sam Roberts recently (a Google search this morning revealed that they performed with Sam Roberts ONCE in Peterborough...LOL). After enduring a few more minutes of comic book store guy talking about how many people he knows and throwing around music facts to impress me (double yawn), I thankfully escape to the sound of the Constantines taking the stage.

Make a note. No matter how good Shaker is, I already hate them a bit for being such godawful poser snobs. EAT MY ASS.

Posted by Brown Eyed Girl :: 1:44 PM :: 1 Comments:

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