Step two...

The next phase of online self indulgence.
I made the mistake of monkeying around with my original BLOG located here http://here2ventandwine.blogspot.com/ and ruining it.
I am useless.
I am starting over..and here we go.

Tuesday, January 28, 2014

MMMmmm.....Beer



Tried this wonderful little Libation last night with a feed of Cajun Walleye.

Probably would've been better with a steak or something like that...or even on it's own , but for a dark Winter style Beer this is a home run.


...Wish I'd bought two now.




















Hop City is a brewery out of Brampton...which kind of bothers me...cause Brampton is a shithole...but then again...so is Sarnia...lol.



Their Barking Squirrel LAger is a mainstream contender with the craft beer movement and now it looks like they've got another winner!



Oh..Canada..our goverment is corrupt and useless but at least our Beer craft is alive and well!!!

Monday, January 27, 2014

My Widdle Poochie Woochie!!!

My little doggie turned 1 yesterday!



God I love that dog.

Getting this dog was one of the greatest decisions I've ever made. The kids have really benefited from it and I am absolutely shocked at how much good I get out of it.



Ruby is the first one that greets me at the front door when I get home from work


...and regardless of how shitty a day I've had it is impossible to stay in a bad mood when I greet her.












Dogs are a gift and as a friend of mine at work puts it  "They make you Human"...

I'll second that.



Here is a few photos.

One I sniped off Facebook.


It is a picture of Rubys Mom with the puppies right after they were born and I am sure that the little puppy in front is my little Ruby -Doo!!



lol...bonafide dog fag!





On another note...

I am off for 7 days ...back in for 2... then off for 14....work can eat my snatch.

Thursday, January 23, 2014

In Concert

My daughter just gave me a big hug and jumped for joy...



...because I got us 5 tickets to a Robben Ford Concert!!

You know your kids are kinda hip when

I have always liked the way Robben Ford played and lately I have been really starting to dig the Blues.





I almost typed 'dig the blues again'...but to be honest I never really went through the almost obligatory blue phase that most guitar players go through.

I skipped it.

It's fresh for me now and I have had to go back to the drawing board with my playing in order to develop some blue-note chops.   It has been challenging, humbling , frustrating, but really really fun!!






I have been listening to Fords playing in the car non stop now for about 4 months and the kids...especially Ella really dig it.

She had happen to ask me one day, after watching one of the many YouTube videos of Robben, if we could go see him in concert one day.

Hmmm....

Well after checking his tour dates for his latest album, it turns out that he is playing in Hamilton ON of all places.

Done.

Can't wait.

Wednesday, January 22, 2014

Breathe

Well I just finished seven shifts in a row...at straight time.

(That's 84 hrs this week...but who's counting?)

Very very sucky...but necessary.



Part of the Mickey Mouse commitment, as in it was the only way to get time off work for Disney World.

I HATE THIS FUCKING MOUSE!..lol

Do what cha gotta ...

It is minus 20 right now without the windchill and I am supremely sick of this shit.

I have two shifts off, today and tomorrow, then in for 3 then...oh boy ..then I am off for 7 back in for two then off for 15!!!!

Sooooo looking forward to it!!!!!

I was invited to sit in with some musicians tomorrow night down at a local pub...and I just might!
I went down and saw them play last Thursday and they were playing some music that was pretty cool to me these days.
I need...REALLY NEED to get off my ass and start doing these types of things.

However...best laid plans...



Little Avery was up in the night ...fever vomiting and today she is a mess...

Pretty hard for me to go out and enjoy myself knowing that this is going on at home....
 I guess its a we'll see




I made a quick little video today of me playing the Taylor Mini guitar that I bought the kids for Christmas .



I made a few adjustments to it this morning before I took Ruby for a walk.





I cannot get over how great this thing sounds.

Its got me thinking about an acoustic guitar for me.

Sunday, January 5, 2014

Gift Horse

Well I have been out fishing but had my hands too full to take pics.





Had the kids over to Brian's pond to chase the Bluegill through the ice.
No Blue Gill but we got about a dozen Jumbo Perch in just about an hour or so.

Tons of fun!!



I really enjoy doing that sort of thing and hopefully next time I will be able to document it a little bit.

It has been supremely cold and wintry out but the Weekend has turned out to be a great time with the family.



Yesterday Ella and I went to out to a co workers Stable to take a look at her horses.

I had mentioned to Sally that Ella has taken an interest in horses and Sally was quick to invite us




I am not a big fan of big animals and I am always a bit over protective with the kids so when Sally suggested to Ella that she go for a ride I had mixed feelings.

I did managed to put aside my phobia and  relax.





013 from Gene Norland on Vimeo.




Great moment for Ella that I am sure she'll never forget.

Also, a great excuse to get out of the house as well and away from the cell phones and gadgets.

Today we took Rube for a long walk down the Howard Watson trail as a family and it was just beautiful.



Tough walking in the deep snow and we are all tired. Ruby is out cold in the front room.

ZZZZzzzzzzzzzzzz.......










As per usual I bought myself my own Christmas present this year. The kids wrapped it and I pretended to be surprised.
It was a super deal off Amazon and I couldn't resist.




It is a Looper pedal called a "Ditto" made by TC electronics.

I am just nicely starting to get into it and I plan on using as mainly a practice tool more than anything.

So far it has provided me with proof that I have some serious Metre issues!!...lol....

Which is good....gives me something to work on.




My New Years resolution is to play music  more...spend more time with the family and  most importantly not to give a shit about work...

So far I am off to a good start!!