I have to thank all the boys from DNA6 and everyone at the Royal Hotel in Fernie who helped put together the best new years party I've ever played at. What a great venue, the Royal hotel is the happening spot in Fernie BC for anyone who likes snowboarding in some of BC's best spots. I didn't get up the mountain myself, I was getting ready for the cruiseship that I'm on as i type this, but I did venture out for some tobogganing near the hotel! Too much fun, videos should be up soon (unless I get asked not to). But what an insane party, two main rooms, two totally different styles of music. Great vibes and drunk people keeping their composure in the whole building. Even when I got shut down around 3 am, it was still hopping like it would have kept going til dawn. This would have been bad for the people in DNA6 who were getting up early to hit the long drive back home.

There is much to learn on the road. Both the recent tours last month were definitely eye opening for various reasons. Let me explain!

November 6th I was up early, 5 am (Dad, I know, but I'm a musician + bartender = night-owl) to finish packing and head to the airport with Dave and Daniel to meet up with our good friend and quasi-manager Frank Johnston to kick off our tour across Canada. Our first night was in Saskatoon, there to pick us up was "the new guy" of Erikson music, Cliff! I won't tell you what we called him, but I'll say it's dirty. I should say that Erikson Music is the company that's been helping the band for the last few years. I worship them for hooking up the MarkBass, Digitech, and Washburn endorsement for me! ANYWAY!!! We've learned that L&M may not be the best venue for a full rocking fusion band. The people seemed to enjoy it, we certainly loved doing it! It was pretty much the same every day; travel, sound check, dinner, play, drink! We played L&Ms in Saskatoon, Regina, and Winnipeg (Winterpeg, Manitscoldout). Only loss, was that my road case got destroyed (by destroyed I mean the handle got ripped off by baggage handlers/throwers or Hand Mandled. So I had to carry it from place to place with the rest of my baggage) by the time we got to Montreal. The Drum Fest. in Montreal was so fun. I met Jo-Jo Maher and the drummer from Living Colour! Great to see Sarah Gowans again, she was one of my best friends in high school. We kinda had a little too much fun with the guys from Sabian and Drummer's Choice Magazine (the photos are too incriminating to show!)! Early the next morning I flew out to Las Vagas to play a show with Paul Epic. Getting my first taste of Vagas, we drove off to the venue, a Veterans party, outdoors.

I figured there was enough happening non-music/video/web-site related that I could share with the world. To complete what the hell I'm talking about, is that in September I decided I'd take up bartending. So I took a course and now I'm working at Fogg and Sudds attached to the Holiday Inn in Richmond. It's been a ton of fun work with "normals" not musicians! However I've re-discovered that everyone is an artist, watching some of the bartenders and chefs go through their routines is a lot like practicing arpeggios and scales in different keys in one long flow. Every time I finish a martini, it feels like I just composed a yummy drink to get people sloshed. Kind of a fun idea, no?

I've moved a few things around to make way for the new Graphics section. Yes I do graphics design as well, as well as a few web-sites (not just my own)! Go ahead and leave your comments and let me know what you think! I think it's pretty clear; Sections at the top, related pages on the left sidebar. I've had some feedback on the offensive orange on the first page, but guess what my favourite colour is?!