Trout, Saskatoon Berries, and Bears- July 29
At this moment I am breaking up a fist fight between my 10, 5, and 3 year old nieces and nephew. It is quite a test of patience. Oh, the 3 year old just got booted in the head. We are discussing which Polly Pockets are the hottest right now. And who is this Kim Possible chick that is on every piece of clothing that they wear? And Ron Stopable? I am so out of the loop.
I am missing the rock and roll lifestyle as well as my bandmates but and embracing the whole farming thang. My job for the last 2 days was swathing the hay down. It is tense because if a rock gets caught in the blades, the whole thing can light on fire and burn to the ground. The most tramatic part for the last two days was when I soptted a deer hopping through the field dragging her rear, right leg. She had been hit by a car and was severely damaged. I slammed on the brakes and ran across the field waving for my dad to stop baling the hay. I finally caught up to him and with tears streaming down my cheeks I asked, "Dad, where's your gun?" Daisy knows all about me and injured animals. I witnessed a deer being hit in Montana and almost ran the tour van off the road while stopping to see if it was alright.
Well anyhow, she had a bag of milk so her fawn was somewhere. We let nature take its course and we didn't shoot her. I think she was still hobbling around yesterday so maybe she will make it until her baby is big enough to fend for itself.
The saskatoon berries are ripe now so that means LOTS of bears. Most of the biking trails are really freaky to ride cuz there are about 10 bears on each trail. Lots of cubs as well. We have been trying to catch trout as well by trolling behind the canoe. So far, no bites. Just bottom.
Well, 1 more week before I venture to Fernie for the big race. 600 km of pain.
I can't wait. Then I am heading to Edmonton to open for Leon Russel. Time to practice my 45 minute set. I hope my band mates are having fun wherever they are.
Mustangs and Greyhounds and the Links...
The rock and roll lifestyle is taking over! Not really. Today was insanely busy as there was a photo shoot for See Magazine www.seemagazine.com - this was a bit sketchy as the original shoot didn't work and I got a last minute phone call to do it again - I forgot to call Kim - AHH!! This is what happens when you've got 4 enterprises going and a full-on life to boot www.storm-musicans-services.com . Otherwise it's a steady diet of Yoga, Surf, Biking, Tofu, Red Wine, Wild Turkey, Howling at the Moon, Blue Movies, Hard - core Spiritual Quests and Education, networking with great indie Edmonton bands www.homewrekers.com Hot Cars, Golf, batting tatooed Men off with large sticks, trying to watch my language around youngsters, watching my p's and q's, time put in on the Black Dog Freehouse Patio http://www.blackdog.ab.ca/ , blood donations, Edmonton Folk Fest duties, and yes yes - 20 hour rides on the Greyhound Bus Line. And it's true, I rented a Red Mustang Convertable in Helena - those things handle great but I'm still partial to my pick-up. Alberta styles all the way (with a little bit of West Coast thrown in for balance). See you on the 19th hole.
July 26, Milan, IT
This is my fourth night in Milan. I arrived after almost 24 hours of travel (including a bizarre five hour layover in Frankfurt before catching a one hour flight to Milan). I booked a room at a hotel I found online called "Monte Bianco", and it has turned out to be great. The best part is the funky yellow bicycles they let their guests take out. Yesterday was 8 hours of exploring the city on a bike. So far the best discovery has been a little shop called "chocolat".
Tomorrow... I'm going somewhere else... teh adventure continues.
It's Hay Time
My friend Nikki and I made the 13 hour drive from Edmonton to Francois Lake, B.C. Dad was waiting with an idling tractor and a set of ear muffs. It is 100 degrees F and I have a full on farmer tan. Managed to get in a water ski. Tomorrow I go one ski if I get up the nerve. I hate water wedgies.
I am working on new material and getting some new chops. Also wondering if Carolyn made it to France safely. C.. Are you out there?
The Sugarbowl in Edmonton
Just finished a show at THe Sugarbowl in support of The TransRockies Race. Wow. I love my band and I love all of the other people who surround me and support my life endeavours. Chris Martin, always showing up to sell stuff, collect door money, pack up guitars, shake hands. I love that man! He is passionate! Redbike and The Edmonton Road and Track Club for donating money and door prizes. The SugarBowl for donating a % of the drinks sold. Rocky Mountain Bicycles for letting me and my race partner take a sweetass ETS-50 to the Challenge. All my friends at MEC for coming to the shows and cheering at the top of their lungs. Trevor Wiltzen for selling merch and setting up the Livia Stoyke Foundation stuff. Jed Skyero for setting up all the p.a. stuff and moving tables and chairs. I LOVE YOU ALL! I am a lucky kitty kat.
Oh, and thanks Kelly for filming it all so that YOU can see it.
I am going to sleep for 5 hours and then drive to northern B.C. with a friend. It's hay season.
Helena to Home- July 19
Helena is my favorite place to play. It was beautiful, friendly, and fun to be plainly honest. The festival show was super hot but thanks to Daisy's prompting, we were well taken care of with snow cones and red wine. Miller's Crossing was the night show venue. I was severely heat stroked for this one but managed to drink 1 litre of coke to get the blood sugar level up for the show. Daisy had rented a Mustand convertible for the evening so we took that baby for a spin up the mountain ravine. She was heavy on the pedal and I felt liberated.
There were several requests for Madonna that night so we played Pat Benetar instead. Sorry Madonna boy. Great crowd with lots of dancers. Cowky, the waitress, fed us virgin caesars all night to keep the energy up.
The next morning, Carolyn and I met some locals for a ride up into the mountains. This was the tour highlight for me. Flowers, endless singletrack, excellent views, bunnies, deer, and good company. Thanks Trevor for showing me the ridge ride and for being so encouraging. Yes, i will get lighter tires this week. Sometimes it's fun to push a few extra pounds of rubber.
So, then we drove 12 hours back to Edmonton to find billions fo mosquitoes and a brilliant lightening storm. Prairie storms are the best. You never quite know what's going to happen.
THE TRAILS ARE HEAVEN!!!!
Hi. It's me again. The riding here is out of this world! I felt slightly vulnerable as I followed a jeep with guns strapped to it to the trail head. Two large, slobbering dogs hopped out at the command of their masters. "Is this trail good for biking," I asked in my big girl voice. "I don't know. It seems like it would be good." And with that I was off. The climb was gentle for the most part but made me feel slightly on edge as I read a sign naming it Grizzly Ravine. THere was broken glass all over the track for the first kilometre and then I guess became too steep for the drinkers. The forest was mostly white and ponderosa pine I think and the terrain was alot like Banff, near Lake Minnewanka. I climbed to the top taking brief pauses as my heart jumped out of my chest on the super steep stuff. The top of the mountain overlooked Helena and surrounding area. It was breathtaking. I decended on a trail called "THe Prairie Trail" thinking it would be a gentle, rolling prairie feel. Nope. Ovaries to the wall. I took a turn at one point to find a sign saying "You Are Entering Helena State Park" which was punctured with bullet holes. Suddenly the movie "THe Wrong Turn" came to mind and I descended again into Helena.
Now we are preparing for our 2 shows. I have to go and change my strings cuz they are crusty from the humidity on the island. Dave is already setting up for the show tonight. He is so dedicated it hurts.
Helena, MT July 16, 2004
It is sooo hot here. "Hotter than a horses ass" as kim said earlier in the van. We stayed at The O'Hare Motel in Great Falls last night where we were introduced to The Sip and Dip Lounge. A bar with the tank of the swimming pool behind the bar. We thought there would be mermaids swimming around but the only person in the pool was a dude with a big beer belly. He did some good eggbeater moves anyway. It is our last day off before we rock Montana. I think Daisy and I are going to find some sweet single track to ride tonight. The trails are right above us. Hopefully it will cool down a little as the day goes on.
Lethbridge was a wicked show. The Tongue and Groove is a very special place to play. Cory and Todd were super accomodating and the audience was very appreciative. At one point in the night I was accosted by four very tall women who were adamant that I go aith them at the end of the night. Well, I was a little taken aback by their long legs so I crawled in the van and went back to the hotel room. At approx. 4 am Carolyn attacked me in the dark. Apparently she thought I was someone else. Umm. Kim is super sick. She caught the cold that has been living in the crustaceans in our van. I am going to buy her garlic now.
Bis Spater!
Coleman, AB- July 14
Still wet from the swim in a skanky lake outside of Fernie. It looked blue and lovely, but was actually green and slimy. Things are good. We are on our way to Lethbridge. I did an interview with the Edmonton Vue Weekly about the up and coming fundraiser in Edmonton for my race. The training has been going well. Managed to get in a 5 hour ride yesterday with a HUGE mountain pass out of Castlegar. Today is a soundcheck day and then a big rock show at the Tongue and Groove. We are on the front page of the news paper so I think it is going to be well attended. I am paying big $$$ for this entry time so must go and find Muffy. Almost time for Montana. The mountains are so beautiful.
Moby's Rocked- July 11
Two nights of fish pots and rock n' roll at Moby's on Salt Spring Island. We were one of the acts for the July Jazz Fest. The shows rocked and the audience rocked even harder. These cats love to dance. On friday we facilitated a marriage proposal. Congrats to Michael and Marian on the new engagement. There were numerous drunk boys who waited very late into the night to show us their stuff in the parking lot. Ah, the merrits of being a chick band. Then last night there was the Washington Yacht Club who were docked in thte harbor and decided to come in for some fun. "Nipple Man" kept exposing his breast during my most heart wrenching songs, throwing me slightly off. Good training I guess.
Now we are going to hang at Randy Bachman's for awhile before making our way to the mainland. Oh, and we have an appointment at a sheep farm at 3 pm. Thanks to the Fulford Inn for being so accomodating and Tom the bartender for supplying me with 40 peppermint teas.
Salt Spring Bound- July 9
It is raining like mad and there is a scheisse load of gear to be put back into the van. We managed to turn the basement suite of our band mom's house into a jungle of cables, drums, and amps. Currently, Kim is safely tucked away on the couch and D and C are out of harms way upstairs. There have been a few close calls with late night bathroom trips. Oh, and the cat tried to chew through the microphone wire. So now we are slowly trying to wake up and pack for our big journey to Salt Spring Island.
Last night we had an amazing meal prepared by Kim (big ass salad with lots of everything and mesquite chicken). Then we took some time for conversation. Then it was time to record all of our new songs. It went well and Salt Spring will get to hear them tonight. Oooh. Nerves. We are playing Moby's and I am having the giant fish pot for dinner. When we were hanging out with Mr. Randy Bachman, we went there for dinner every night and dined in the plethora of menu choices. The ginger bread kicks as well. So now I must go and wake up my band mates and wrap cables and sew on the button that fell off my military trousers. Oh, and check up on Le Tour de France. I think Lance is in 6th right now.
Still on the Island- July 7
I can barely sit today but am happy with the amount I riding I was able to get in. I caught the ferry yesterday morning and somehow managed to spend most of my per diem for the entire week in one day. It's the smoked salmon and lattes that kill me. So I rode the trails again on the island and then managed to find a place to stay. Thanks Scott for your loft. The next day was more trail riding and then the long road ride back to Courtenay. I thought I wasn't going to be able to make it cuz my legs were fried but I drank a latte with my last $3 and somehow managed the last 26 km in the pouring rain. I got back to our host's house just in time to haul gear in for our rehearsal. Carolyn was back from her adventure in Tofino. Kim was hungry from a hard day of killing things on her X-Box. Daisy was looking less sick than when I had left her (she has a nasty cold). So we ran lots of new stuff and it sounds so fresh and exciting. Montana and Salt Spring will be the first to hear it. No more 90's tunes if we can help it. We have two new songs about New York. Two visits and the impact on our lyrical content was dramatic. Out of all the cities that we toured through, New York is still very fresh in my mind. It was an overload of stimulation.
Today is the day when I have to finish all of my lyrics that i have been putting off for the last year. It is also about iceing my ass and neck and finding my IB Profin.
Subliminal Love
Two years ago I spent 3 days in Tofino writing songs. At the Inner Rhythm Surf Camp I sat in a cabin in the rain and wrote my ass off - it was too cool to deliver the goods to them yesterday on CD. The song "Tiki Room" rocked thier wax right of their boards. Granted it was written touring in America as well (New Orleans and Santa Fe) - the final line was written in Salt Lake City of all places (Thank you Chris for the help on that one) - but - to see the looks on their faces was just priceless. One of my surf sisters Carmen (I've missed you!) came up to me mid-song a few nights ago in Tofino to deliver some cream she promised me 2 years ago - wowza. That's it - lots of biking and surfing and eating really great food (CRAB IS AWESOME!!) and seeing friends - we know close to 100 people on this Island now - brilliant. You just never know what's going to happen here: it's magic. 'Cept for the dude who threatened to sue me yesterday - long story. Long like Long beach. This is home 4me.
Ucluelet- July 4
Last night was how we liked it. Mullets, hippies, truckers, bikers, surfers, fishermen and so forth. It was a cornucopia of people all interweaving on the dance floor to the beats of PD. Our demographic is definately broadening. I met an ex-roadie from "Golden Earring" who kept saying "Gott Vordickie" which are bad words in Dutch. There was a scary pilot who tried to lure us into his 3 seater plane so that he could "show us something in the forest". Yah right! I saw Texas Chainsaw Massacre! And there were the three people who bought $70 in merchandise and then left just before we started to play. Apparently they really liked the Flaming Beaver Skull design but weren't fans of the music.
So after weaving through the mountains in the back of a small Mustang I am sitting in Comox with nasty car sickness. My bikes are on their way in another car. Daisy is surfing in Tofino, Carolyn is swimming somewhere on the same side of the island, Kim is eating crabs and killing things on her X-box in Campbell River, and I am planning a trip back to Hornby for a last run of the mountain. Then it's rehearsal time for a few days before Salt Spring Island. Man, we have it rough!
I am getting good at living off of a $5 per diem. Like Carolyn said, we go from rock divas to bar flies from day to day. It keeps it interesting and we never get too unreal. Music is a tough way to make a living depending on what you want exactly.
Seal Bait -July 3 2004
Well. That is the question. I sit here in Tofino in a small cafe overlooking the ocean bay. Hoping to see some sort of animal or perhaps person in the water. As long as they aren't floating. It's kind of an overcast today. My bandmates are surfing today. I am going to try Sea Kayaking next week. First time. Being afraid of the water as I am, I am going to take the PLUNGE, so to speak and just go for it. I'll let you know how it goes. It's all about being around the sea life really. Seals and so forth. Fun stuff.
Anyways We will do a show in Ucluelet tonight. Should be a bowl of cherries. Talk to you soon.
Kim
Canada Day, Courtney, BC
Last night we played to an appreciative Canada Day pre-party crowd. The toddlers were especially appreciative. One young girl, Riley, was invited up to the stage to play egg shaker during Khortouche. She stood, frozen by the lights, shaking her egg through the whole song. Rachelle moved her vocal mic down to Riley's level to help get the egg shaker sound out into the audience, inadvertently feeding the signal into our monitors as well. It is amazing how much havoc a five year old with an egg shaker can raise... Kim and I could only look at each other and laugh as Riley transformed the song into a bizzare overlay of rhythms.
Life is good. The tour moves between insanity and ease with each hour of each day. First it is driving all night to reach the next show, then it is free time on the beach, then it is waking up at 4am for breakfast television and then driving to the next show. Everywhere we go this mix persists, chaos so normal in our nomadic lives as to be comforting. Muffy hasn't broken down, nor have any of us. Our spirits remain high. It is a good tour.