If you say someone was ‘convivial,’ that means he was an alcoholic.

Friday night I wasn’t feeling very well, so I avoided the pubs. I was going to stay home, but I found that Amanda wasn’t feeling well either and needed some help getting her computer working with her new digital camera. So I went over to her flat, bringing with me a CD I made for her containing Van Morrison’s “Someone Like You” and a bunch of my favourite Over the Rhine tunes. In return for my help she made me a cup of tea and gave me a stack of photos from birthday and Halloween events. There are some gems that I’ll have to scan and post sometime soon.

On Saturday I went to Lauren’s CD release party. Now that I have the disc I’ll have to post some samples so all you non-locals can get a taste. Following the show, I hit the pubs with Amanda, Annie, Rebecca, Jess, and some of their friends. Although I tried to hide it, I was a bit melancholy. I was in a state where happy Irish jigs, drinks, and well-dressed people only made me more pensive. But the company I keep is warm. Annie was particularly encouraging.

Sunday evening I went to see Closer. The acting was superb, the soundtrack mesmerizing (had to immediately obtain a copy of Damien Rice’s “The Blower’s Daughter”), and overall it was thoroughly depressing. I think I identified too closely with Jude Law’s character (the flawed parts, anyway).

Update: Below are a couple of samples from the disc. They don’t have a website yet or method of buying the CD online, but if you are interested in buying it, email me and I’ll work something out with you.

Winter Bossa
Gardenias for Rita

Windows Users: Sorry, having used Linux for so long, I take it for granted that people have the ability to play ogg vorbis files. Get your ogg vorbis software to play the above samples. It’s free!

Tags: Personal