Okay, nothing to write today. We’ve done the shopping thing in Toronto and we’re gearing up for the trip back to Montreal. Really I just want to announce a new addition to the blog, one I’ll hopefully be able to sort out soon enough. In the interest of myself and pretty much a small but discerning audience, I’ll be putting up versions of my old radio show, along with the sporadic rarity (okay, so The Diodes wasn’t so rare, but you should hear it anyway). I recently stumbled upon the motherlode in Montreal, where someone had just given up their 80s collection (five thousand singles to go through). A few rare things there (like a rare, extended version of Martha and the Muffins’ Danseparc). So some of that will be up soon-ish, once I get it ripped. More interesting thoughts in the days to come.

And just because I can, here’s more music, this time a Turkish song which I found in a junk shop in one of Istanbul’s lovely arcades. Not much to say about this but it’s got a nice Eastern groove to it: Esin Afsar: Zühtü

Iso_G

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Yes, we’ve made the trip, from Montreal to Toronto, after nine hours of tedium. We spent three days in Montreal, after a killer 15 hour trip from Helsinki. Got to Montreal and was quickly reminded of what windchill does to one’s cheeks. Stayed at a nice B&B called Le Zebre, which had the most amazing breakfast (creme brulée!). Feel like a break from your dull apartment life? Stay here for a couple of days. Also stopped by the New Zealand consulate in Ottawa, in an attempt to sort out my impending move to said country. Surly service from someone who had otherwise been quite nice via email. She claimed we had set up a meeting time for morning, when I can find no record of setting up a time. Of course, one cannot argue with bureaucrats who have your future in their hands, so I nodded sheepishly at all the right points and left with fingers crossed.

The drive between Montreal and Toronto, regardless of what route you take, is composed of the dullest and dreariest bit of landscape you can imagine. It’s punctured only by the occasional roadside monstrosity, but after driving this route a few hundred times (which I’ve done for far too many long-distant relationships), I can say I’m glad I’m leaving the country and that I probably won’t be gracing this strip of the 401 for some time…. Except for the drive back.

Will probably take some time out to celebrate things holiday. Pardon me if the blog gets off to a slow start, but I promise things will pick up in the new year. Perhaps the only resolution I can see myself keeping.

Meanwhile, something else to keep you warm in chilly climes. More Canadiana, this time in the guise of Toronto’s own Diodes (who also did a great cover of Red Rubber Ball, which I might upload sometime in the future): The Diodes - I’m Tired of Waking Up Tired
Ah, what the hell, tis the season for giving: The Dishrags - Love is Shit (West Coast Canadian punk)

Iso_G

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Well, my first post is one where I get used to things in the blogosphere. One of those adjustments has do with changing the template in Word Press. Newbie alert. I think I’ve got it sorted. Straight-forward (after a few headaches and some help from my friend Api)

But more importantly, today is the last day of a three month stint in Helsinki, Finland. We, that is, Sirpa and I, leave for Canada tomorrow, and apart from a brief return in January, I’m saying goodbye to this part of Northern Europe for the next few months. Down to Berlin for January and then back up to Sweden for February and March. Be sure to stay tuned for zany adventures along the way. You know how these things go.

To keep you occupied, here’s a little musical excerpt to help you fritter away your time. This is a Canadian new wave number from one-hit wonder Toby Swann: Toby Swann - Somewhere Over the Rainbow

Iso G

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