Kilt-ed.com - Blog!

Juno weekend - Part 2

2005-05-05T00:29:00.000-05:00

Saturday

So it was early to rise Saturday morning. The CBC people had said on Friday when I was there buying tix (which was a horrifying experience of the Friday tale that I failed to mention in the previous post, I must have blocked it out. Haha...it was INSANE trying to park downtown that weekend and took me FOREVER to get to the CBC building to buy tix!)....they had said that the show started at 7am and doors would be open at 6:45am. Figured it wouldn't be that brilliant to walk in while the show had already started, so 6:45 it was. Which meant getting up around 6:15. OMG.

3 hours of sleep later, my Mom dropped me off at the CBC Radio building and I met my friend in the lobby. We found our way to the studio where the show was and got a seat. Turned out the guys weren't set to go on til about 8 or so, I think it was. But that was ok...we got to see another great folk/roots band called the D. Rangers. I'd heard of them before but not heard them. They were amazing. Really awesome, I highly suggest checking them out!

Finally the guys stagger in, sans Andy, and get set up. Andy makes his appearance just in time for the show, haha, sorry Andy...but it was sorta funny. No harm done, all were in attendance and sounding good! I took some video which turned out to be sorta retarded because they got interupted in the middle of it as the show went to the news. I will post it shortly though! As well as a few pics hopefully. If I ever freakin get around to it! LOL Though I feel bad cause I know it was a radio show and it was a pretty casual day for everyone, haha. But I think everyone looks just finnnne....so pictures there will be.

Some how I got singled out by a reporter dude in the audience and he wanted to ask me some questions and then because I had a digital camera he wondered if I could take a few pics of the guys as a group afterwards. It was sorta funny because he seemed to have no clue that I'd taken just a FEW pics of them before and it was funny that he felt the need to introduce me to the guys...and that he'd pick me of all people to be the one to take a few pics for him. Haha. Oh well...ironic or not, at least I got the chance to go say hi to the boys and ridicule them for still being sleepy and steal a few of their donuts. After a few photos and my friend acting as my assistant (hey, someone has to carry my purse)...the boys piled in the van and we took off. Some of us to have a nap, some of us to go to work....neener neener...Dan, Ian and I got to go have a nap. Ahem. Not together. LOL

After said nap and some lounging around the homestead...it was time to get ready to party! Myself and the afore mentioned friend from the early morning were planning on hitting up The Kingshead, which was conveinently located on King St, to see Nathan Rogers and The Duhks play for JunoFest. Before that it was to Dregs on Osborne to see Jeremy Proctor do a coffee house set. Got there a bit early, sat in the comfy chairs and ordered a frickin huge wrap that not anyone on this Earth could possibly eat all of. Jer played a good set and mentioned he was up for a Brewno Award, (as were MIK) which was going down at The Reagle Beagle. Around 10pm we left Dregs and snuck by the Tinfoil Phoenix show at the Zoo and headed to catch Nathan Rogers. Well apparently everyone else thought it would be a good plan too. As after we managed to snag the most wicked parking spot ever known to anyone that has ever frequented the KH...we proceeded to NOT get into the show. We got into the bottom half of the bar with not really any problem, but were told it was prob an hour wait to get into the actual show. Never having been one to really feel like waiting for anything and knowing that the Kilted lads were going to prob be at the Beagle, which was really just a hop, skip and a jump away...we decided to keep our wicked parking spot and walk to the Reagle Beagle for the Brewno's. (ie. Definitely Not The Juno Awards.) Is it still a wicked parking spot if it's not in front of the bar you are actually at? LOL

After being reassured that I should never listen to anyone and finding out that I was in fact right that the large R is the Richardson Building not the Ramada (where the Beagle is located), and a detour down Main (thank God not much of it), we made it to the Beagle. (Sorry man, you'll never live it down. Haha.) Walked in and was met by Dan who informed us that we had JUST missed them winning a Brewno! Dammit! Stupid tour of the countryside! LOL! We got some drinks and watched the award cermony and chatted with da boys. Have to say, lookin good in all the plaids and patterns there Dan. Kudos to Ian for lending the red plaid blazer. Good times were had, the awards were soon over and it was a sorta open mic night after that. Some of the boys decided to head home/elsewhere and we thought we'd try our hand at at least getting in to see the Duhks show at the KH. After a much shorter walk back to the KH (cause it's really only like 3 blocks from the Beagle), we got in again with no problem but found that they weren't letting in any non-wristband holders to the actual show as they were supposed to be. Crappy deal. I had one but my friend didn't, so it was a no go.

SO...back to Osborne it is, man! As Baked Expectations is open til an ungodly hour, we felt we were in need of some late night cheesecake action. Managed to get almost the same parking spot not far from the Zoo, which just about never happens, but not before being accosted by some drunk woman in the middle of the street. Yeah! Osborne! Always interesting. Though admittedly...that could happen just about anywhere in Winnipeg. Had some yummy oreo cheese cake, which I couldn't finish, and didn't realize til about a week later that I'd forgotten to eat the rest which sat in the fridge at my Aunt's in the city as I slapped my forehead here at home on the farm. Shite.

It was a less glamourous night than the night my friend and I would have Sunday. But awesome and so much fun all the same. It was great to get to spend time with the boys! Hope that Brewno is sitting on the mantle, Dre! LOL It was a cute award in the shape of a beer bottle.

After cheesecake and closing down BE, we headed home for prob some much needed rest. Sunday was the most brilliant day to come....sigh. Can't that happen every weekend?? Day 3 of the Juno Weekend coming soon...

2005 Juno Awards - Part 1

2005-04-22T02:34:00.000-05:00

So what to say about the Juno Weekend here in the 'Peg?

It was a crrrazy weekend alright. There was just so much going on in the city. It's taken me awhile to recovery and get to a place to write about it, just been so busy since and now I'm SICK. UGH! But here's the rundown on the crazy weekend, which started Friday night and in a sense really ended Monday night for me...

FRIDAY:

I commute back and forth from the city to my hometown of MacGregor where my parents still live. My job is sorta crazy and I work almost a full weeks worth of hours in 2 or 3 days on the weekends, so its not enough to really make me completely want to live full time in the city. I still have animals out here and I like to come home whenever possible. So Friday I headed into the city to get my hair done (yeah!) and then my Mom brought herself in later because she wasn't staying the whole weekend anyway, but she was coming to the JunoCup charity hockey game that night. So did the hair thing, took a couple hours, went home and changed and met up with my Mom, then went to pick up my friend and we all headed to Selkirk after cooing and giggling over her cute baaaaby, hehe.

Found our way to Selkirk just fine after missing one exit because we were talking and everyone thought I knew where I was going. WRONG. Never assume THAT! We couldn't believe how horribly marked the rink was though considering it was the JUNOS. But we just followed some other cars and got there just fine, thinking we'd be all early and we'd just walk right in. Yeah right. Huge line up....we got there just in time really as the line ended up going all the way to the highway! It was craziness! Took forever to let us in too. Dumbass rink people!

It turned out that there WAS assigned seating as the place was farrrr larger than we had antiscipated...which pissed us off because the online ticketing said NOTHING about assigned seats or anything! It was retarded!

But my friend had won two awesome tix right beside the NHL players box and the ticket my Mom had was on the other side of the players box. No one was beside us to begin with so my Mom stayed with us, but then it filled up and she went over to her side....as it turned out that was the side Alan was actually playing on anyway! Crappy deal!

Anyway...it was pretty slack and I sorta ran back and forth from our seat to my Mom's to take a few pics...which was very difficult as there was either crappy plexy in the way or the netting above it. So most of the pics I took were through a hole in the netting, which wasn't easy! SO thats why some have a bit of a white haze happening from bits of the net that got in the way.

Way after it was supposed to, the game finally got underway and the reason we were there hit the ice! My friend and I are big Great Big Sea fans, and Alan Doyle was playing net for the musicians and Sean McCann playing defense...as well as Jim Cuddy from Blue Rodeo was the captain. Them and other musicians were playing ex-NHLers such as Doug Gilmour and Chris King, among others.

Alan...stretching...

I think the musicians ended up losing, though the score was a bit sketchy, haha. Sean scored the first for the musicians though! Blew it right past Brent Butt...

The Doyle waiting for some action...

Sean on the move....the b'y was all elbows!

Doyle in motion...

My favorite of Sean...

A couple of my faves....the Doyle and McCann....awwwwwww....lol...

Sean and Jim Cuddy on the bench...

The game was awesome and everyone had so much fun it seemed! Alan just had a perminent grin on his face and was so intent on the game...it was great.

After the game we headed it back to the city and my Mom dropped us off at a great little pub not far from Shannon's Irish Pub, where we were going to go see MIK play for JunoFest! But they didn't go on til 1am and we were starving! So we went and grabbed a bite to eat and looked at pics, etc.

Around 12 or so I guess it was, we headed over to Shannon's, only stood in line for a few minutes really and then we got in with no prob and sqqqqueeeezed our way in and down the stairs. The place was PACKED! Never seen the joint that full before, it was unreal. Barlow hit the stage and we enjoyed them for awhile, got a drink or two...I think only one as it was tres difficult to get to the bar AT ALL. Said hi to the boys, got harassed slightly by the Juno merch girl who was being a total tool...yes I am taking pictures and I WILL take more! LOL Piss off. But finally the boys hit the stage and the place was jumping! See the photo album on the site for all the pics! Video coming soon too.

Didn't stay for the whole show though, as it was approaching the wee hours of the morning and for some reason I agreed to go to the CBC radio gig the next morning! Too bad we had to be there for 6:45am!!! Ugh! So Part 2 of Junos weekend, Saturday and beyond, coming soon! Bedtime now...

Cheers.

Pant-ed-Not.Kilt-ed.com

2005-03-31T00:38:00.000-06:00

Hey you Kilt fans...and soon hopefully...PANTS fans!

My good friend, Christine and I are about to launch our new website! I'm posting about it here because this Blog will be home to news/posts about both sites. Here's the d/l...

The Town Pants are a great celtic/folk/whateveryouwanttocallthem band from Vancouver, BC. My friend got me hooked on them after discovering them for herself at a Spirit of the West show. They are a great group who love to laugh, play fantastic music and just have a good ole time! If you're a Men in Kilts fan, then you'll prob love these lads (and lass!) Here's the d/l on the Pants as we fondly refer to them as!

Duane and Dave Keogh have been brothers for...well....most of their lives. Ok. All of their lives, probably. Hehe. But making music is in their blood. They've been in a few other bands/started many other bands, but the Pants are here for good. They do the majority of the writing/singing for the band. While all members seem to be proficient on several instruments, Duane mostly plays acoustic guitar and Dave plays the banjo. (Have you hugged a banjo player today??) You may also remember Duane from some commercials as.....Molsen's "500 Miles" or...."the one where Duane takes his clothes off so the guy in just his shorts can go into the store to buy beer". LOL

Next up on the roster is the fabulous Aaron Chapman. With the Aaron Chapman voice. And the Aaron Chapman sense of....everything. LOL You may recognize Aaron if you were a big Real McKenzies fan back in the day, as he was a founding member of the kilt-clad band! After touring this country and a few others many times over with the band, he decided to move on. Sooner or later he was drawn to the Pants. They needed a tin whistle player! Thinking it was prob a joke, Aaron replied to an ad Dave and Duane has placed in the paper about needing a tin whistle player...no joke though! And he's been wearing Pants ever since. He also sings and writes a good chunk of the bands repetoir and plays a meaaaan tin whistle!

Virginia Schwartz rounds out the main band, as the spectacularly talented fiddle player. She Irish step dances too! Ginny brings a great energy to the band is always wearing a smile! A bit of a new comer to the band, Ginny joined after the band's second album, Piston Baroque.

The band has filled out as of their latest release, Weight of Words, and now includes a bodran/didgerdoo player, drummer and bass player. All of whom I will have more info about shortly! They tend to sub out sometimes as alot of the members play in different bands, but when I saw them play this past February, Mike was their drummer for the evening and he was a fellow Winnipegger! Yeah, Mike! Dino has been known to smack the drums around on most occasions for them though and Ryan sure does play a wicked didgerdoo.

As I mentioned, their latest release is their best yet, titled, Weight of Words. Some of my favorite original Pant tunes are on this one and it also includes a fantastic instrumental featuring some awesome fiddling by Virginia. They have two previous albums, Liverdance and Piston Baroque that are also most definitely worth buying though!

I've become a big fan, Christine is a big fan, and they have a great fanbase in Vancouver and across this country and a good part of the US and Europe. They are great people and so talented, funny and kind. I encourage you to give them a listen!

So Christine and I have created a website mainly to express our love for the band and share photos that both we have taken and other good friends of ours and the band's have taken. If you're a Pants fan and want to share your pics too, we'd be happy to add them to the site! Send em on in, peeps! Email them to: info@kilt-ed.com Thanks!

There is still more to do and many photos to be added...but check it out peeps! The site is now online!

It is.....

Pant-ed-not.kilt-ed.com!
http://pant-ed-not.kilt-ed.com

CHEERS!

This is just wrong!! Sheesh!

2005-03-27T01:18:00.000-06:00

Because I thought this was some how appropriate...how could they?? UGH! LOL

Story from MSN News today....LONDON (AP) - For centuries, Scotsmen have worn the pleated checkered garment into battle, on parade and at special events.

Cambridge University Causes Row by Banning Kilts

LONDON (AP) - For centuries, Scotsmen have worn the pleated checkered garment into battle, on parade and at special events.
But now Cambridge University has banned Scottish students from wearing kilts at graduation ceremonies - sparking a row with traditionalists.
The university says it is banning national dress to underline that all students are equal.
But Scottish politicians are outraged.
"Instead of clamping down, they should be more flexible," fumed Jim Wallace, deputy first minister of the Scottish Executive in an interview published Saturday in The Scotsman newspaper.
"You must be able to combine the best of the traditional such as gowns and hoods with something that allows you, if you want to, to wear your national dress.
"As long as it is still dignified, then this should be allowed."
Kenny MacAskill, justice and home affairs spokesman of the nationalist Scottish National Party, labeled the ban "petty and very narrow-minded."
A university spokesman said graduation regulations had always stipulated traditional dress - trousers and ties for men, dresses or suits for women. But until now the rules had not really been enforced.
However, more and more people were now wearing kilts and army uniforms and the university had decided it was time to act.
"The Praelectors (graduation officials) found that just recently the breaches of their regulations had been more prolific and more extreme," he said.
"The underlying reason for the graduation ceremony is that you become a member of Cambridge University.
"Whether you are a Scottish member, a New Zealand member or an army one, you are all members of Cambridge University."
Several other British universities have already banned national dress. The spokesman said religious dress is not affected by the decision.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Unbelievable! Maybe I'd actually GO to my Uni Graduation if there were going to be some boys in kilts there! Hehe.

Just a note about the site and stuff!

2005-03-26T00:30:00.000-06:00

So there is lots happening over on the Kilt-ed.com site right now. Some new video from Nanaimo, the interview and live performances from Power97 on St. Paddy's Day, fantastic new posters from Andy and Nic for Kilkateers to help spread the word and of course just the awesome news that the boys will be playing JunoFest! I am very excited for them with all the great things that seem to be happening right now.

I hope everyone is enjoying the new video and audio section I've added. I hummed and ha-ed about it for awhile and couldn't decide if the recordings were of good enough quality to bother to share. In the end I decided that while they may not be fantastic quality, they are still great and fun and allow those new Kilt-fans that maybe can't get to see them play live a little view into a Kilts show. I hope you all enjoy! I still have some videos from Shannon's to add, which I hope to do VERY shortly, prob one at a time though...and then I have quite a few audio tracks I might add. Still debating which ones to put up. By no means should they replace your MIK cds in your collection! As they definitely don't compare to those, so make sure you go out and buy the cds, peeps!

If anyone is having trouble getting a hold of a MIK cd, let me know. I've sent their cds all across the country (and other countries!) to many people and don't mind doing it as long as you pay the postage. (Which is about $2, generally.) Cds, t-shirts...whatever! Just email me: info@kilt-ed.com I tend to see them play pretty frequently so it's not hard to get anything someone might want! And I'm sure they'd sign it for ya too. :)

On top of the videos I'll be uploading a new section to the gallery with some screen caps! So check those out!

As an aside sort of note just about this blog......I hope people will comment eventually and I'm working on figuring out and deciding if other people can actually make blog posts (start a post I mean) too. As of right now I can only see that you have to invite them to become a member and then they can blog too. Not sure. I'll work on that and we'll see. It may happen in the future, but right now there doesn't seem to be enough people around on their message board or the old blog to really warrant it. But if you're out there...feel free to comment! Even if you don't think your comment is directly related to the original post, no worries. Comment away! If it's an inquiry/question I'll start a new post about the topic! You don't have to register to comment, just select the "other" box, I think it is and then you can just pick a name to post with! Also...while the Kilt-ed.com site and the Pant-ed-not.kilt-ed.com site are the main focus of this blog, I'm sure I'll end up posting about other crap and I encourage others to reply and comment and post about whatever they want to too! Just keep it respectful of all involved, thanks!

That's all for now peeps, take it easy and keep checking back here for more soon!!

Cheers,
Meg

Brand new blog! Lets give 'er a try!

2005-03-23T03:08:00.000-06:00

So I really hated how the other blogger deal was working and a good friend of mine just got a brand spankin new blog and I thought it looked awesome. SO. Here we are. Lets see how this baby works, kiltkateers!