the first interview went swimmingly.

not looking at a permanent move — at least, not at first. probably a long term assignment of ten months/one year to start.

the whole thing was pretty upbeat; i’m pleased.

wouldn’t start, most likely, until after the first of the year.

coincidentally, i am spending the afternoon with the guy who would be my boss while i’m up there. good chance to get to know one another better.

o, canada…

because tomorrow is the first face to face “Canadian interview.”

Wish me luck.

I haven’t discussed my listening/playing lately. So…

Recent listening includes the finally completed “Smile,” the legendary lost album of the Beach Boys/Brian Wilson. I’m not a huge BB/Wilson fan (although I love the trio he did with Rob Wasserman and his daughter Carnie, “The Bells of Madness”) but felt like I owed it a listen.

It’s weird and gorgeous. Damn, I find myself starting to become addicted.

Go borrow it and then buy it, to ensure that you like it. (Or for you modern types, download it from somewhere.)

Right this minute, I’m listening to “Do The Strand” by Roxy Music. I really, really love this band, who are responsible for two of my favorite songs of all time, “More Than This” and “Dance Away The Heartache.” Despite the punk trappings and cynicism, I’m a romantic at heart, I guess.

As for playing…hmm. I’ve been remiss. When I have been playing, it’s been on the 1948-52 Regal Archtop (finally got a brand on it from headstock shape).

Still trying to decide whether to keep it acoustic or install the vintage DeArmond pickup. I’m leaning toward the pickup; I have a Kent floating pickup that I add to it occasionally and I really like the sound.

Next step after that will either be the Martin (probably the mahogany 12-fret slope shoulder slot head D-15 dreadnought) or a Fender Hot Rod DeVille amp.

Sigh…wish I were home writing and playing right now.

Last night at Wordharvest: lovely. Freeform poetry sharing with drums and nice energy, no egos.

Tonight at Dave’s surprise birthday party: damn fine. He was shocked. Heather did a great job setting him up, and we had a great time knocking him down…

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I’m still thinking about all who are feeling like the only viable vote out there is a vote for Kerry, and I do understand…I share your fear.

I wouldn’t be working on a move to Canada if I didn’t.

But you must understand that I have fought against the two party system for twenty-four years now, and have no intention of giving up that fight.

If I were sitting in a swing state, I’d be thinking harder about this vote. And I would likely break my rule and vote for Kerry if I was.

Consider this though: in the last election, Gore won the popular election by half a million votes.

Half a million.

The problem was not that he didn’t get enough votes. The problem was that he didn’t get them in the right places.

I do not trust the two party system to want to effect true change in the status quo here.

I feel like Americans have gotten dumber by the year, and I see not one sign of that changing.
Therefore, we get the election we deserve. We get the officals we deserve.

Well, I don’t deserve either of these guys. I deserve better.

We deserve better.

Out of this shitstorm better days will come; but I fear what’s coming before they arrive. I don’t know if it’s going to take the form of paper ballots or lead bullets, cries of love or anger or both, stretched over years or decades; it’s gonna hurt, I know.

But we deserve better, and we will get it.