Two Headlights

Sorry we haven't been able to send more footage and live broadcasts from down south here (or maybe that's for the best.)  That was our intention after we discovered the technology on the way down a few days ago.  The problem is that the hotel we're staying in has "balls" internet (and Alex Oliveira quote) and we haven't been able to find the bandwidth to get to you good folks.  We did manage a brief broadcast last night @ 2 am from an ATM bank shelter (of course I'm serioius) and it looked as sketchy as can be (and felt even more so, particularly when three cop cars when screaming past us).  Of course, that was after we walked into a nicer hotel and snuck around the darkness of it's really fancy and really expensive conference rooms looking for a wired connection.  Had we really wanted to we could have stolen all the Gideon's video gear (and bibles), but we're good Canadian boys and we opted instead to just keep searching for internet.  Alas...

Today brought new fun and excitement.  The rain and humidity vanished and the temperature dropped 10-12 degrees.  As such, it's pretty damned brisk outside (and that's where we're playing!)  If anyone's ever wondered what it's like to play an outdoor rock and roll show at Snow Jam or Winterlude or Carnivale I can probably tell you in a few hours.  We're looking at similar conditions because the hard way just seems to be The Free Press way.

I'm not complaining.  Please don't think that.  I'm not even complaining about the van which broke down as Alex was trying to (again) fix the tail light wiring for the trailer.  This time he somehow managed to blow a fuse while repairing the lights.  He replaced the fuse and had to take it to a mechanic.  The mechanic said that we had probably effed the computer in the van.  You know, the brain of the car.  The thing that controls the brake lights, the fuel gauge, the turning signals, the odometer, the hazards.  So, unless a miracle happens tonight or tomorrow morning, we'll be driving home with head lights (at least there's two of them...currently anyway), winning smiles and the best of intentions.  I wasn't kidding about The Free Press Way. :)

So, say your prayers for us, think warm thoughts and keep your house lights on if we're driving past.  With all apologies to the Earth, every bit will help tomorrow.  Hopefully we'll come to you live from the van sometime tomorrow afternoon or evening.  Dig it. 

A Long Day at the Office

You know you're up too late when Alex & Mick (who are both in bed) discuss and laugh like maniacs for 45 minutes about a fictional sign business they've just created and are working on slogans & business strategies for.  You probably had to be here.  And even if you were here, you probably shouldn't have been here.

You know you're up too late when you can hear people's doors opening and closing as they're most likely leaving the hotel since it's 5:45 am and they have work to do and places to be.  I, however, had some sleep (apparently I slept through our first ever live webcast from the van - seriously!) and am just doing a bit of days end work so I can focus on the rock and roll tomorrow.

Today was eventful - as several of you heard when we broadcast from our hotel room a few hours ago.  We had:

1 Forgotten Passport

1 Unamusing call to Homeland Security to ask about side-stepping Len's ignorance (see above)

1 Three hour delay (see above)

2 Drives past Mick's house (Mick took the subway to my house to 'speed up' the trip)

1 Live Webcast from a moving van (seriously!)

3 Border Crossings (they were so excited about the webcast that they blazed past our customs, had to return to get all of our gear properly id'd and inventoried and then return to the US border so we could continue the journey)

1 Border Detaining (when the gentlemen in the booth asks you to please drive towards the officer who will tell you where to park and where to go, things don't look good)

1 Hour of cold sweats as Homeland Security 'investigated' our plans

1 Near miss (we were allowed to enter with a fairly stern warning from a very nice lady)

1 45 minute delay while we repaired the lights on the trailer (we didn't want to risk another police incident)

1 3am arrival at a very nice hotel

1 Pantless webcast at 4am for approximately four people

3 Alcoholic beverages consumed (Mick insisted we keep it 'real')

1 New theme song (Alex & Mick went from conception to completion in fifteen minutes and it will be unveiled tomorrow)

4 Jerks going to sleep

Hope to see you all in the etherworld tomorrow.