It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year!

The summer music season is here, wooo!!! Official summer show #1: the Weakerthans at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre in Toronto. I had to navigate a relay run fundraiser that was just about to begin as I got there, but once I finally did I was met with fabulous spicy salmon sushi and mini spring rolls that were being given out in the line while we waited for the slightly delayed doors. I've been to a lot of shows, but that was definitely a pretty cool first and I don't think I'd complain if it happened again=).

Once inside we snagged two seats on the end of the front row, which almost seemed as though they'd been reserved for us, and in keeping with the unconventionality of the evening, unlike with most venues who insist that I either sit in the "wheelchair" seating and or put my scooter outside in the hallway to allow for clear emergency access, security actually encouraged me to park my scooter right by my seat, not only blocking the end of the row, but the end of the isle as well=p.

The security guard was awesome! Not only did he make sure I had a totally clear sightline at all times (totally unprompted!) he thanked me throughout the show and then finally at the end by getting me a setlist from the stage, for making his job "easier."

The show was opened by Bahamas, which was just a random guy who was backed by the Weakerthans drummer=p. I was a bit conflicted about him. He was good musically(for some reason he reminded me of Danny Michel, despite his being nothing like Danny Michel) and his stage banter (very important for me!) was really engaging at the beginning but then just started to get a bit cocky and annoying. I think I'd probably check him out again though. He definitely had his moments so I'm on the fence.

The Weakerthans were of course their usual fabulous selves (also, the sunflower guitar strap still lives, yay!!) and right now I can't really decide if the fact that I don't really have much to write here is a good or a bad thing. I was talking to a couple of people before the show about how they're always so consistently good and some said they're getting boring, but like me, others thought reliability is always a good thing! That being said though, I thought they were touring in support of a new studio album and was kind of excited for some fresh material. It turns out the new album is a live album with no new songs on it...

Coming up: next: June 5th Krupke's CD release at the El Mocambo and then June 15th RUFUS! RUFUS! RUFUS!!!!!

Happy Spring!

I was reminded by a friend of mine today that this blog still existed=p. I thought I'd give it a bit of a revamp for spring. Happy Spring everyone! Don't let this crummy weather get you down. Those beautiful sunny days will be back before we know it... I hope.

Justice!

  

 The minute Abercrombie & Fitch opened in the Eaton Centre here in Toronto everything about it has irked me. Why it's necessary to carry around a shopping bag with a half naked man on it, or be asphyxiated  by cheap perfume that is just as strong on the corridor outside as it is inside the store to buy jeans I will never understand. Not only that, but the perfumed air is rank with discrimination. From the sizes that you need to be a size 2 to wear, to the obvious requirement that you have to look like a model that has just come from a day at the beach to work there, the demographic is drastically reduced to the "beautiful people". But, now they've really done it!  

My friend told me about this case the other day and ever since I haven't been able to stop thinking about it. First because it is absolutely horrifying, but also because I've experienced similar situations: 

 When trying on clothes in stores, which despite my shopaholic tendencies, I don't do very often because stores never make it very easy, it is much, much easier for me if the store has a wheelchair accessible change room. More and more stores have them these days, but because customers who use wheelchairs are of the minority, stores often use the "extra" space of the accessible change room  to store boxes and merchandise. I've managed to get salespersons to clear out change rooms in some situations, which is a waste of both of our time and a bit of an embarrassing spectacle, but the odd time I'm completely turned away with the excuse that the space is being used as a stock room. 

One situation in particular comes to mind. I was in a store that refused to let me use their accessible change room because there was some boxes in it. When I discovered however that despite the boxes being there, there was still plenty of room for me to go in and try on my potential purchases. I closed the door and proceeded to undress. A salesperson promptly noticed and proceeded to stand outside the door and hound me, insisting that I come out immediately because I couldn't be in there with the merchandise. 

First of all I wasn't about to come out until I'd gotten dressed, and second of all, the merchandise was in tightly sealed boxes, which I would've needed a box cutter to open and probably would've had to have made quite a production to steal. 

 It's all just ridiculous! People with disabilities have money just like everybody else and if stores would just follow the most basic human rights practices, maybe they'd spend it in that store! Needless to say for more reasons than one,  I'm thrilled that Abercrombie got what they deserved. 

Way to Go Murray!

"He is Able Who Thinks He is Able" - Buddha

 When disability is a daily reality it's difficult to check your inner advocate and activist at the door and look beyond the stereotypical 'triumph over adversity' story. Perhaps we have just all become too jaded... 

 I'm told that for someone who's supposed to be up-to-date on all things disability, I'm behind on this one, but while reading this week's installment of THIS Magazine's ThisAbility Blog, I discovered where I'll be eating next time I'm looking for somewhere to have a special dinner.

I don't find myself being inspired by the stories of disabled people very often these days, but Pascal Ribreau is an exception. 

A Sunny Hat for Sunny Days

   A few months ago I sent my friend Kyla some yarn to make me a hat to go with my all-things-sunflower habit. This picture doesn't do it justice, but here is the fabulous finished product:).  
   

WTF?

  

  

 

Thank Goodness for Jeremy Fisher *hehe*