Here's one that Jerome sent to me, taken by his friend Igor. This is from the 'Alec Fraser 50th b-day party' at Healey's last spring.

I particularly like Jerome in this one. He looks as though he's sneaking up to take a bite outta someone!

One of my favorite things to do is taking long walks along the side of the train tracks and photograph the trains as they rumble by. Over the years I've collected thousands of photos of stuff I see passing by; as well as anything else rail related that catches my eye.

Sometimes I'll take my banjo with me and sit down and play.

I'm pretty much of a loner (hard to believe when you see me surrounded by people at work) and I find it very relaxing to be away from people. Walking or sitting out beside the tracks makes it easy to feel like you're out in the country, and not amidst the heart of Canada's biggest city.

We've titled our upcoming CD 'Long Walk to Nowhere'. Now you know why.

Little does he realize it, but Jerome's about to become an accordion player as well. Alec and I just wrote a song with a big cajun flavor to it, leaving holes for Jerome to solo in.

I'm sure it won't be a problem tho -he's been asked to be a steel guitar; piano; violin; acoustic guitar; etc. before, and seemed to enjoy the challenge. Ultimately, he just ends up being Jerome tho….

I wrote a post a while back called 'I hate band bios' which is pretty much where I still stand. To recap: it all seems a little too egotistical to write something about yourself saying how good you are. Even to have someone else write it and you posting it. "Alright…. enough of me talking about me …..YOU talk about me for a while….."

Had a lot of fun at the gig last nite. It was really cool to hear everything thru a p.a. Sounded huge. The club is really nice, and suits our thing very well. We'll undoubtedly be doing it again.

I was really surprised with Jerome's playing. When we rehearse, he's always experimenting and playing all over the place. However, last night he was rock solid. He blew some serious harp. That's the way it's supposed to be. Rehearsals are for rehearsing and trying out new shit, and gigs are for putting it all together and playing what works.

 One of the reasons I started playing acoustic music was that I thought that if I ever started gigging again, everything would be so much simpler. No amps; extra instruments; etc. Nothing to burden my weakening back.

Packing up my shit for the gig tonite, I realized that I'm taking 2 banjos, an acoustic guitar, microphones,  and other assorted shit that will be needed on the gig. Jesus, I think all this stuff weighs more than when I was playing electric guitar!

A 5 string resonater banjo is a very heavy instrument. Heavier than an electric bass. It's got a big piece of iron inside called a tone ring that helps to give it that 'ringing' sound but unfortunately adds quite alot to it's weight.

MENTAL NOTE TO SELF: learn how to play everything on one instrument!!!

The other day, while watching a world cup game, I picked up my telecaster and beagan noodling around. I don't know what came over me, 'cause I haven't done that in many months. It was pretty strange. The strings felt heavier than I remember, and the shape of the neck seemed wierd. I also noticed that certain muscles in my hand weren't as strong as they once were.

All pretty normal, I suppose -I don't play the electric guitar any more- but even though I'm still playing acoustic guitar on a few Brokenjoe songs, you would think that it wouldn't seem that foreign. I guess it's just strange that something that was such a big part of my life, has become so removed from me.

I guess it's like an old girlfriend, or something. Sometimes I'll hear a particularly beautiful blusey solo, or hear the sound of an old Fender plugged into the right amp and it'll bring back fond memories of a time in my life……..

There used to be a magazine here in Toronto that was written for/by bartenders waitresses, servers etc. (Gee…. I wonder why they went under?) It used to be loaded up with shit like 'complaints about customers', 'famous celebrities I have served', 'getting screwed on tips', and stuff, but the part that got me the most was when they interviewed the bartenders, they all seemed to be doing it part time until their acting/writing/musical gig built up enough so that they could quit.

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When we were kids, we used to love our fried baloney sandwiches. We used to call 'em Newfie Steaks. Glad to see that we weren't the only ones. Kinda adds 'cred' to my whole life!!

Just when you thought it was safe to take the ear plugs out…….