Lonely Saturdays

Now, when your significant other is a musician lonely Saturday nights are pretty much a given. When every other couple would be having "date night" my hunny is off gigging...this has never been a problem because I too am in the entertainment industry and understand the "never really working regular hours" schedule of a performer. I was gigging most of the time too. It took a long time to train them but I think my friends have pretty much figured out the "Leah never has time off when we do and we shouldn't be offended when she blows us off to work" rule.

This all being said when you're NOT gigging, Saturday nights take on a whole new kind of loneliness.

I knew from the start, immigrating to a new place would be no walk in the park. I would have to get used to transport, new places, new food (haha ;)) and in my case a whole new music/art community that I am a stranger to. Anyone who chooses to go into the arts knows the good ole feeling of pounding the pavement. Going to countless auditions, doing multiple low paying gigs until you score better ones, dealing with, for lack of a prettier word, rejection. This is never fun but for many in the arts we thrive off of that feeling. The exhilaration of every new audition, every new gig, every new chance to show the world what you've got. So when those chances go away...you feel...empty. I guess you could say I've had a dry spell, since I've moved to Toronto this is the longest time I've gone (since beginning a professional career post-college) without regular gigging. Now some of that regular gigging was good, some bad, some very very ugly BUT it was there, it was real, I was performing. Now I know I have a lot of growing to do as an artist, we all do but it's hard to accomplish that growth when you're home alone on a Saturday night while most of the people you know are working somewhere on their craft. I feel rusty. Like an old car left out in the rain for too long and never driven. Suuure it probably still runs but it doesn't look or sound as nice as the new model. Now I don't want to get too "Debbie Downer" on everyone, just like politics, self pity is not on the list of things this blog was supposed to be about. However, I was sitting here, alone and I felt the need to get some of the feelings I have inside me out. Somehow. I might not be singing but at least I can write. So write I will...I'm not sure what the answer to this lonely Saturday problem will be. Hopefully, little by little, gigging as much as I can because I miss my hunny on nights like this...but I miss my voice more.

Good night everyone.

A bicycle made for two

For those of you who know me well you'll know I cannot ride a bicycle. This has been a thorn in Mike's side for some time now. Until today. Let it be known that Monday April 19th 2010 when I was 26 years of age I finally learned how to ride a bicycle. Now according to my mother I rode a bike for about 2 seconds when I was a kid, was told I needed to wear a helmet, decided that wasn't fashionable enough for me and any hope I had of riding the Tour Du France went out the window. Sadly, this isn't the first time I would let a fashion choice govern my decision making process, that's a story for another time. All this aside I did successfully ride a bike today and although I hate to admit it I'm glad Mike made me do it. I guess he had to be right about something one of these days ;) Thanks boo. Thanks for forcing me to do something beneficial for myself that I probably never would have tried otherwise. Something that I actually enjoyed quite a lot, once I got over the fear of falling and the fact that my crotch was on fire the whole time. It was a beautiful day and I had fun. And Mike has used up his one "I'm right about something" card for the year. Sorry buddy.

Side note we also met an extremely cute 8 week old golden retriever puppy named Oscar. Absolutely adorable.

Next stop...drivers license. Baby steps Lee...baby steps :)

Shame on you Jon Voight. Shame on you.

Now I know I just posted about my favorite day...Hangover Sunday. I also wanted to make a quick post about this appalling article I read yesterday containing comments from a one Mr. Jon Voight.

I'd never really thought much about Jon Voight to be perfectly honest. I know he does a really horrible FDR impression and that he fathered Angelina Jolie who I happen to like quite a bit. After that I couldn't really tell you too much more about him. I'm sure I've seen movies that he's in but he isn't particularly memorable and I never jumped on the "24" band wagon so that's a wash for me too. In fact Jon Voight never really entered into my consciousness, until now.

Until this quote:

"The American People are witnessing the greatest lie that is cleverly orchestrated by President Obama and his whole administration. President Obama feeds people poison, giving them the idea that they are entitled to take from the wealthier who have lived and worked in a democracy that understands that capitalism is the only truth that keeps a nation healthy ... [Obama uses] a socialistic, Marxist teaching, and with it, he rapes this nation..."

Yes, that's right. Mr. Voight felt the need to write a LETTER TO AMERICA dissing on our current, breath of fresh air President Barack Obama. Now to begin I'm constantly surprised by Republicans in Hollywood (well actually I'm surprised by them anywhere) but ESPECIALLY the entertainment industry. We're supposed to be free and politically forward thinking. Now I don't really know the history of Jon Voight's career(I know he was the son of immigrants new to America) but I'm guessing at some point in time he was a "starving actor" pounding the pavement just like the rest of us in this industry. You know what's really helpful when you're a starving artist?! FREE HEALTH CARE. Living in Canada now I can say that Obama is on the right track when it comes to his health care reform. Unfortunately, the Republicans got involved and watered down the damn thing so badly it is but a shadow of what it could be. Nice work guys. However it's a step in the right direction, I don't care what you say Jon Voight. You know who DOESN'T need more money?! JON VOIGHT. You know who does?! ME! And deserving artistic people who have chosen to forgo large paying jobs in pursuit of our dreams. Not everyone can be a movie star Mr. Voight and some of us need a little help and I don't think it's too much to ask for those who have a lot to help those who don't. Something tells me that most of the people I know work a lot harder than you do Jon Voight with not a lot to show for it. So I'm sorry that we're taking away some of your precious "Pearl Harbor' money Jon but living in a democracy doesn't mean being a stingy bastard. I like to think the American ideal is that you can work hard, live your dreams and if you're lucky enough to make it where you want to go it is your responsibility to give back a little. I really don't think that's too much to ask. That tax money is a drop in the pan for someone like you Jon but it helps people not as fortunate as you tremendously. So before you speak out of turn about Obama poisoning our nation I would take a good look at yourself. I think it's greed that has poisoned our nation not the possibility of positive change. Look at what the last 8 years have done to us because greed got in the way. We keep taking and there isn't going to be anything left. To be perfectly honest I think that we live less in a democracy and more in a capitalist society. Under the rules of democracy ANYBODY should be able to run for president and win but we all know it doesn't work like that. It's the people who have the money that can run and we get to choose from that small demographic. Now this being said I am amazingly proud of our country for the man we did choose. I think his potential is astounding and his presence inspiring. Living in another country I have a first hand look at what the rest of the world thinks of us and it's not good Jon, it's not good. Obama is helping that stigma. I love that a man who has so much thinks about giving back to those who don't. That's the way it should be Jon. That's the way it should be.

So now I'm off my soap box and my blog will again return to non-sequitor musings about youtube clips and not turn political. I don't want to write a political blog. It's boring and been done before. However, I felt the need to say something about this since it angered me greatly. That's my letter back to you Mr. Voight. You can leave the American people alone and your thoughts to yourself next time. It makes me really sad you're in Zoolander because I love that movie and you've ruined it.

I'm with you Angie, I'm never speaking to him again either.

Black Out Betty and the Red Wine Hangovers

New punk band name? Not exactly...ah hangover Sundays. God rested on Sunday and so does Leah after a big date with Mr. Merlot.

Now anyone who knows me knows I love me some red wine. Actually I like wine of all types: red, white and let's face it if blue wine existed I'd probably drink that too. Unfortunately, I very rarely stop at the "1-2 glasses a week for your heart" wine consumption and I'm shamefully more of a "Wait...I'm done with a whole bottle already?! Break open another!" kind of a girl. I know what you're thinking. Classy Leah, classy. Now to be fair, I don't drink on a regular basis which apparently translates more often than I'd like to admit into my cramming all of my drinking into one single sitting. All this being said I've decided to take a bit of a break for awhile. So I'm making my apologies now to Pinot Noir, Merlot, Chianti and lest I leave anyone out Cabernet. I won't be seeing you fella's for a little while and that's ok. Sometimes it's good to take a break. I feel the need to get back in shape especially with the summer approaching and my gay's returning to dry land. I have a fabulous reputation to keep up and these extra 5 pound or so just won't do. The drunkies are my nemesis...

So goodbye for now Black Out Betty, ram a lam.

The fun thing about hangover Sunday's however is internet surfing. Useless, mindless, hilarious internet surfing. What did I discover this lovely Sunday? Yet another reason to love Lily Allen. Now I know a lot of people have mixed feelings about her and I'll admit she doesn't come across that great in her public persona but I think she's fab. I love her look, I love her music and I love her "up-yours" attitude. That's what the music biz is all about right? Saying eff you to people so that your fans love you even more! And let's face it, most of her targets are warranted, like paparazzi getting so over zealous they re-ended her car. Did we learn NOTHING from Princess Di people?! Anyhow, my new love affair is with this song:

http://www.youtube.com/watch#!v=5u6HhbqAgwc&feature=channel

Yep that's right. She wrote a song called "Fag Hag" and I'm all about it. How could I not be? As a card carrying member of the Fag Hag Club (shit I should be the president or maybe something more fabulous...Empress?! we'll go with Empress of that club) I knew we needed an anthem of some kind. We've been exhausting Madonna tunes for years now. So thank you Lily Allen for providing Fag Hag's of the world with the anthem we deserve. Good on you!

The Noble Crab Rangoon

After the last post I couldn't help myself...

The number three?

Hmmmm...so it has been brought to my attention that in my previous post I left out the number three. This is amazingly ironic to me because that happens to be my very favorite number. Well three and seven, that's right my neurotic brain tends to like to do things in threes and sevens. Who knows when I picked up this quirky personality trait. Perhaps it's the beginnings of OCD and eventually I'll end up on one of those hoarder shows completely over taken by my stuff all in groupings of 3 and 7. Hopefully it never gets to that point but I will say that little things involving 3 and 7 make me insanely happy. Like when I'm at the gym and the treadmill counter reads 373 calories or when the train comes at actually 3:07 or 7:03. Now I know this might sound like an odd thing to get happy about but I think that everyone has their weird little quirks that help them to get through the day. Little things that when they line up just right, however minuscule in meaning to anyone else, make our days a little bit brighter. Think about it. EVERYONE has one. Mine just happens to be the number 3 and the number 7. So I apologize number 3 for so brazenly excluding you from my previous entry. If I had to pick a #3 thing that was different about Toronto and Boston it might be crab rangoons. Now I know what you're thinking...that should probably fall into the category of junk food Leah and you listed that as the #1 difference. However, I'm going to draw the distinction here, this is my line in the sand, I've had crab rangoons at both junky Chinese restaurants and in fine dining Chinese restaurants IN THE UNITED STATES. Apparently this delectable cream cheese filled, deep fried, fake crab stuffed delight does not find it's way into the "Chinese" food north of the border. This could be for many reasons, the top one probably being that crab rangoons are IN NO WAY actually Chinese. Much like the fortune cookie I'm almost positive they are a North American invention. Something tells me people in China aren't clamoring for the Philadelphia Cream Cheese to fill their fried pastry treats. So this brings up an interesting question...is "Canadian Chinese Food" more Chinese than "American Chinese Food". It's entirely possible especially given the fact that Toronto is supposed to be one of the most multi-cultural and diverse cities in the America's and perhaps even the world. So does this trend for multi-culturalism lead to more accurate ethnic food options? I'm not sure. It would be an interesting (and delicious) study to conduct. All I know is the first time Mike and I went for Chinese food and I asked for crab rangoons I was met with a blank stare. A stare I would come to recognize as the "Silly American, we don't have that here" stare. A stare I know all too well. All I have to say is y'all are getting the stare back ten fold when I get you down to Boston and take you out for frappes and ice cream with jimmies and then make you drink out of the bubbler.

All this fun culture shock aside, I do miss my crab rangoons. They are greasy, un-Asian in nearly every way and %100 delicious. So there you go #3...you're a doozy.

Also, I finished this post at 12:07. It's a good night.

Really Leah? You're starting a blog?

Why yes inner monologue...I am. Thanks for asking...

For those who know me, you'll know I tend to have 5 or 6 hundred stupid things bouncing around in my head at any given time...worries about unemployment, lyrics to obscure early '90's R&B tunes, answers to the Metro's crossword puzzle, random drag queen trivia...the list never really ends. SO in an effort to get some of the more esoteric things out of the caverns of my brain and onto a page so I can concentrate on more pressing matters my friend Elaine suggested I start this blog. Now Elaine being the marketing magnate that she is (seriously folks, this girl will take over the world someday with kindness, retro 40's style and marketing prowess) I have decided to get over my preconceived notions about blogs (isn't this where teenagers air their grievances about the new Kei$ha album?) and give it a go.

So yeah...here I am...a Bostonian Torontonian (every blog is better when it rhymes right?) here to give you my unique, often flawed perspective on living in a new city...no scratch that...new country...because although Toronto does afford me most of the creature comforts of home there are certainly some major differences including but not limited to:

1.) Junk Food. There is no such thing as a McPoutine where I come from.
2.) Purchasing of liquor. Apparently the Boston word for liquor store is a massive racial slur here (learned that one the hard way, I won't repeat it.) Also, speaking of liquor stores what's with the no booze at the corner store huh? HUH? ;) Silly Ontario liquor laws.
4.) Universal health care. It rules and I don't care what anyone from the states has to say about it. (Really? Doctor's appointments are free?! You don't say...)
5.) Taking off your shoes when you enter a home. (I'm not saying I don't agree with the concept but it's definitely taken me awhile to get used to this one...sometimes the shoes make an outfit folks)

I'm sure there will be more to follow but those are just some of the things that stick out in my mind at this time.

So there she is...log in numero une of "An American in Toronto", unfortunately Gene Kelly has yet to show up for our big musical dance number...any day now Gene...any day...