Return of the fat bastard - You couldn't get a beer in Canada on Sunday.

September 11th 2016

In Times Square June 2015

      15 years ago today I like most of North America sat in stunned disbelief as 19 cowardly, sub human, Islamic terrorists flew airplanes into the World Trade Center killing thousands. The events of that day irrevocably changed our very way of life. Now we have to take off our shoes to get on a plane and pack our shampoo in our checked baggage. A small inconvenience compared to being blown out of the sky. I'm happy to stand in line a while longer if it means I get where I'm going intact and alive. The days of walking across the border at Niagara Falls or Point Roberts with a fake ID and twenty bucks because you couldn't get a beer in Canada on Sunday are most definitely over.

The new tower at the world trade center

      When the lovely Lisa isn't working she likes to sleep in. I watched some of the service from New York thinking about that day 15 years ago. It was one of those moments that you always remember where you were when you heard the news, John F Kennedy, John Lennon and the Twin Towers. Moments in history etched into our collective memory. I flicked back and forth between the ceremony and the NFL Today. I saw Hillary have to leave the ceremony for health reasons and I saw football players protest the way of life that has made them millionaires.

The pool

      When the lovely Lisa was up, dressed and well caffeinated we went to visit Mama Lee. This is the first year in several years that we didn't do the Parkinson's walk at Stanley Park. Mama Lee isn't physically capable anymore. We made a donation in her name and the lovely Lisa and I did the same. We took the Ratdogs with us and stopped at Mundy Park on the way to Mama Lee's and did our own Parkinson's walk. Only we didn't get a Tshirt for this walk. The park was busy. They have a Frisbee Golf course and it is always being used. It was such a nice day the course was packed.

A slice of New York

      I sat and talked with Mama Lee as the lovely Lisa arranged the flowers she had brought for her and the Ratdogs tried to stay out of the reach of an overly affectionate resident. She really wanted Elvis but he was way to quick. I picked up Nutmeg so she could pet her but the old Gal was too rough. We spend a great deal of time going over the same subjects we go over most every time we see her. I'm not sure if she forgets we had the same conversation last time or if she is just incredibly persistent!

       We took the Ratdogs home and were off to Stuporstore for the work shop. We have a system down pretty good now. It takes barely half an hour to do the shop. When we were home and unloaded the lovely Lisa put a chicken into the oven and I watched the highlights from the days sporting events.
I had planned to go down to The Rocky Point Pub for the Open Mic but with a chicken in the oven..... I went to Cheap Thrills for some sour cream and some corn on the knob. While the bird was roasting I made a nice Squatch salad with some yellow tomatoes that my pal Rick had dropped off out of his tomato patch. After dinner the lovely Lisa headed for bed and I headed down to Port Moody for the open mic. I didn't know if I would get on or not. Big Bill Frew and Linda were there and had already performed there was a possibility that they would get on again but then I showed up and took that spot. I Played some covers with Chris on bass, Luc on drums and Bill on lead guitar. All the songs I play at these things are three chords with lots of room for guitar solos. Not that I do any solos but Bill did a great job on all the tunes.

Hi how are ya!

      Home to take my meds then off to the Fireside in Sapperton for another open mic. There were quite a few musicians there tonight including the Ukelele Ladies from the Heritage Grill. I got there a little late so I was down the list a bit. So many talented people up in front of me. I went up after Danielle. She's the French girl I mentioned before who sings traditional French songs then nails a Nirvana tune. I was playing with Phillip on base and Brad on drums we did my original tune Paris. It seemed appropriate for the day. The first time I've played it with drums and bass. These guys nailed it. I walked them through the progression once and they had it. I should have recorded it. We played three more songs but this is the one that mattered to me. It has gone through a bit of a rewrite but the story is the same. No child has ever been born full of hate. It's learned behavior. They learned it from us. Their parents. I'll try to put down a recording of it tomorrow. The pics are from last years trip to New York

PARIS

What did you think was going to happen
When you teach your kids to hate
You taught them death and destruction
Would help them get their way

So they walk into a concert hall their hearts are filled with hate
They fire death into the crowd they want the Caliphate
Then they detonate the bombs they wear while chanting God is great

What did you think was going to happen
When you teach your kids to hate
Do you feel some sense of satisfaction
When you're standing by that grave

You taught them they should hate the Jew
Hate the Gays and the Christians too
Hate everyone who's not like you
You taught them how to hate

What do you think is going to happen
When you teach your kids to love
When you teach them hope and compassion
When you teach them tolerance and love

Teach your kids that love will conquer hatred every time
Teach them prejudice and violence is such a waste of time
Teach them kindness and respect will bring peace to all mankind

What do you think is going to happen
When we teach our kids to love
They'll spread joy and contentment
They'll preach the Prophesies of love

What do you think is going to happen
What do you think is going to happen
What do you think is going to happen
Teach them to love!

Words by Dave Squatch Ward

That's all I've got
Till next time
Peace out Y'all