Poetry and Stuff

Over the pervious three nights I was fortunate to see three great poetry shows. All of them featured Randy Jacobs, AKA RC Weslowski. I'd never seen him perform until Tuesday at the Art Bar, along with Tara-Michelle Ziniuk and Rob Gee. His poetry has with and much depth to it, but he also is funny and entertaining. I also saw him at a really fun event called the Toronto Story Slam on Wednesday at the Boat. The slam portion was won by Kevin Fortnum. I was honoured and pleased the best show (only in my opinion) of his tour of Toronto happened at my Rochdale Rhymes and Readings show at the Regal Beagle. The show also featured Joe Dewar and Robin Richardson in a couple of great other readings. I'd booked Joe once before when I guest hosted for the now defunct Cryptic Chatter series. I'd never seen Robin feature before and had wanted to and decided booking her to read at my series was a way to solve the problem.

So I didn't make it to the CNE this year. I haven't made it in a couple of years. It's popularity seems to be coming back, if not to where it once was. I went to it about three years ago on a day when a borderline tropical storm hit Toronto. It was a mess. The rides shut down early, though most people had given up and gone home before then. In 2007 I went and realized it wasn't as big or fun as I remembered. Maybe I should check it out again. I think I'm running out of time for this year and may have to wait for next year. Maybe I should put it on my to do list now.

More updates

So we are in the stretch run of the last few weeks before I am officially a student again, at least for another eight or nine months. Yes, I am nervous.

Last weekend I saw an amazing concert in the Progression Nation Tour. The show was headlined by Dream Theater. I saw Dream Theater about two years ago and their setlist and performance was a little weak. Dream Theater plays a different setlist every time they play. I was also distracted by a couple of rowdy drunks in front of me which hurt the experience. This show was phenomenal. The setlist was amazing and there were many moments of "holy fuck," with their musical performance. I was also impressed with Dweezil Zappa's band, Zappa Plays Zappa. He's an amazing guitar player and has an incredibly talented band with him. His keyboard and saxophone player, Scheila Gonzalez is mind blowing.

This week I will attend a going away party for a friend named Miriam who's leaving Canada for the homeland of Ireland. Will be sad to see her go.

Rochdale Rhymes and Readings is back September 3 with RC Weslowski, Joe Dewar and Robin Richardson. The day before that is Toronto Poetry Slam's Story Slam at the Boat, also featuring RC Weslowski. Rochdale Rhymes and Readings, as always, happens at the Regal Beagle at 335 Bloor St. W., 8 p.m. with pass the hat admission and an open mic.

It's Been So Long Since I've Posted Here

So I've been really busy. I'm starting grad school in the fall in a Book and Magazine Publishing program at Centennial College. I'm looking for some new digs. I thought I found an interesting spot today that was cheap and close to campus, but the landlord had a zero alcohol on premises clause, which I thought was too strict and also told me what kind of landlord he would be.

I've still been working in retail at the position I've had since I was let go of my job in the travel industry over a year ago, which led me to the desire of going back to school. Speaking of blogs, there was a woman in the store today trying to take advantage of our 50 per cent off Nike sale. the stipulations were that it was 50 per cent off the original price of non-new arrivals, accessories and basics. She became irate as the original price was $200 and we were offering the shoes for $100. Yet the shoes had been previously discounted to $175 and she was irate we wouldn't give her 50 per cent off $175. She stormed out yelling she'd have something to blog about tonight. I honestly can't wait to go back to do something truly productive for a living. It's well overdue.

I'm planning on holding a Rochdale Rhymes and Readings show on Sept. 3. So far I've booked RC Weslowski from Vancouver. Other features remain to be booked. I'm truly not sure how long the series will continue with how much I have on my plate. I'm planning at least an October show.