Peter on the Joy of Piloting Plastic Planes

Ever since I can remember, I have been interested in military history. An adjunct of this interest is that I build plastic models. For a while, I built models of ships, military vehicles and aircraft. After a while, I decided to “neck down” to aircraft alone, in the interests of economy not only financial a), but timewise and storage space wise. As Thoreau wrote “Simplify, simplify, simplify”. I still build model aircraft, although I have been so down lately that I haven’t touched one in quite a while b).

Peter – Lois: The Anniversary and Her Celebration of Life

Today is a hard day for me to get through. 18 years ago, I met Lois Forbes for the first time. I miss her terribly, while admiring her courage as she battled cancer. We made each other try to be better people, and I think that’s a pretty good achievement. I know I would  have rather made her angry than disappoint her. I will always hold her in my heart and I miss her terribly.

Peter’s Potpourri

Before you dig into this week’s column, I just want you to know that I appreciate everyone who has stood by me since my recent loss and have expressed their concerns. My heartfelt thanks to those of you who sent your condolences and well wishes.

Peter Goes Where Everybody Knows His Name

Well, last week was “interesting”, as I was going with Lois to various doctor’s appointments. Before a very important one, I got trapped in an elevator. (I was able to get out in time to attend the interview in question, at the end of the day, but it still distracted me from writing a column last week, for which I apologize, and promise that that will not happen again.)

Pat Blythe – Sisters, More Indie Week, a Finale……and Music!

Question: How many sisters does it take to screw in a light bulb?

Answer: Apparently two…..and that took over an hour!

Allow me to elaborate. I have a faux fireplace that, when switched on, displays (you guessed it) a faux fire, tricking my brain into thinking it’s warm and toasty on the main floor when in fact it can be, on some days, a tad on the coolish side. So, after a rather late night clubbing followed by a slow rising morning, my sister Chrissie (who is visiting for a couple of days) and I lounge around upstairs until we decide it’s coffee time. Off we trundle into a rather chilly downstairs. Chrissie decides to “light the fire”. She flicks the switch to ‘on’. Nothing. Tries the other switch, then the dial. Nothing. So after much switching back and forth and checking the plug, we determine a light bulb replacement is necessary. How difficult can that be? We were about to find out!

Indie Peter Indie Music Indie Launch

About ten days ago, I was at “The Hideout”. The band spent about 10 minutes warming up, then did a song. During the song, the drummer asked for an adjustment to his monitor, as sometimes happens during an opening number. The band finished and I applauded warmly. The lead singer said “Thanks. Warm up!” Oh well, you can’t be right all the time 😉.

Peter Continues The Story of Reg so far….

(Author’s note; due to unforeseen problems adding videos, and a lack of time to currently sit down and figure them out, the planned juxtaposition of letters and numbers for this week has been pre-empted. Music videos will return.)

September 14th is always an auspicious day at Chez Montreuil, as it marks Reg the Cat’s birthday. This, the second part of “The Story of Reg; so far…;), deals with the period between Him leaving Brampton and His arrival in Toronto, circa December 12, 2012 – February 02, 2013.

Pat Blythe – Tom Longboat and New Releases…Jeff Jones, Monowhales, OITC & Secret Broadcast…and Music!

Yesterday was Tom Longboat’s 131st birthday. How do I know. Google Doodle. Longboat’s Iroquois name….Cogwagee…..part of the Onondaga which means Keepers of The Fire. Longboat was born in 1887 and raised on the Six Nations Reserve near Brantford. Enrolled (a legal obligation under the Indian Act) at the Mohawk Institutional Residential School at the age of 12 he eventually escaped to an uncle’s home who agreed to hide him from the authorities.  A long-distance runner, Longboat is considered by many to be the greatest marathoner of all time.

Peter (Beer) Barrels through CMW 2018

Armed with my “media” credentials, my guidebook and my Metropass, I took on Canadian Music Week. (Note that all of the bands/artists that I mention in this column have Facebook pages, and are well worth further study, should you feel so inclined. It was a very busy week!)

Pat Blythe – Women of The Traps Finale – Part Four and Music…

 

But first……

Excitement, elation, anticipation (with a dash of skepticism) followed by heartbreak, letdown, expectations and hope dashed….all in the span of 24 hours. Sound dramatic? It was actually. (It’s that emotional 5-year-old inside me) Cause? For the first time in my career as a photographer a selection of my photographs were about to be published in a national newspaper…the Toronto Star! Skepticism? The photo credit. It began with vagaries followed by  a number of confirmations (not without some prodding at my end) letting me know everything was well in hand. Well…..you can guess the rest. I opened the paper and my name was nowhere to be found, but someone else’s was…..