Cauterize show

We didn't have a single thing planned last week, and mostly just enjoyed the ability to lounge around in the evenings and deconstruct the holidays. The end of 2005 seemed particularly crazy with my everchanging schedule in Perth, then almost missing Christmas and having to make hurried last-minute connections into Winnipeg, a plethora of gatherings, followed by the busy week with Lynds and Dave here in Ottawa. It all worked out in the end, however, my energy stores completely wore out and I spent last week fighting a head cold. I was talking to a lifelong business traveller on this last trip, and he also emphasized the uncanny ability of his body to always take time for itself once all the stress subsided. It's as if the immune system says "heh crazy man...time for me now". I recall that post-exams used to have the same effect in University.

The canal opened up Saturday morning at 9am, so Sophie and I dug out the rusted Bauer Internationals and hit the ice. The ice was absolutely deadly - soft spots hidden by off-white patches that would suck your foot in, or these long cracks that would stop your skates on a dime. We never got pitched, but witnessed some nasty falls. Methinks the Ottawa Tourism board put a little too much pressure on the canal too open under these conditions. It was a good workout though, doing the loop at Dow's lake, and then crossing back to Downtown, where we put our shoes back on and went for coffee in the market.

In the evening, we went to check out a band called Cauterize playing at Barrymore's Music Hall. (if you're one of those rare people who follow links, make sure you check their video for "choke" under the media link - fully rocking out)

This band is the definitive EMO band, with 90% of the songs dealing with breaking up with your girlfriend...aahh...teen angst. Strange thing is that, far as I can tell these guys are all in there mid to late 20's. You'd think these issues wouldn't be such tragedies anymore. The band is tight though, and they sound like a Yellowcard meets Def Leppard. yup...loads of gang vocals.

After 4 hours of opening bands...the real deal. Still not as torturous as the last marathon Weakerthans show though. (i.e. Don't you just love it when the main act hits the stage at 1 am, and your ears are blown out from 80 opening acts...I love that) One band = great, two bands = maybe, three = this blows, four bands (Weakerthans show) = My ears are feeling violated.

Barrymore's is one of these turn of the century music halls, full of character and history. It's got multiple levels, all sitting on these terraces which overlook the stage.

Invisible man buys Soph a drink.