12-15-2005, 01:14 AM
So, "surreal" wouldn't do this night justice. It seems distant already, and when I called people to tell them about it on the way home; I had the feeling I was lying: since this couldn't be true. But it is... so, wow.
A huge thanks to Mav for getting us in, introducing us to the boys and making us feel like we belonged there. Great also to see so many Hipbasers, hang out with Slogget and his crew, and to meet Jamie and his lovely girlfriend.
Some bullet points, since prose fails me at the moment:
- I asked Gord about a trip he, Sam Roberts and Sarah Harmer made earlier in the day to Sick Kids hospital. Gord told us about being affected by the young children who probably won't be there next year... the boys covered "Going Going Gone" on stage, and watching Gord emote his way through it, it was hard not to think of his earlier comments. Gord told us that a little girl asked for Wheat Kings, and I quote from memory Gord's sheepish response: "But I played Bobcaygeon. I've never played Wheat Kings in my life... not sure if I can. I hope she didn't mind."
- I talked to Paul and Sinclair about golf, and to Downie about Shakespeare and the Second World War. He said of The Bard: "Lotsa stories, lots to draw from. He's there. Ya know?" And of WWII he kinda smirked, contemplated and said: "Yeah, yeah... we're at war" with that familiar Gordie grind and bared teeth on the word "war."
- We caught sound check. Heard Flamenco, The New Maybe and Daredevil in acoustic form. It was very cool to stand feet from the boys and hear them discuss what songs to play and how to play them during intro's and outros of tunes. At one point, Gord Sinclair, Gord and Bobby huddled. Sinclair said: "Flamenco maybe?" and Gord answered with "Yeah, that'd be a good one to do." And so the choice was made.
- Dave Hodge gave me life advice; what I should do now that I've graduated. He also chatted to Lance and I at length about Team Canada, Crosby and hockey in general. He was actually supposed to sing with Kathleen Edwards but Kathleen was ill (and gorgeously ill at that I bet) and so he intro'd Sarah Harmer.
- "The Glove Hand." Gord spoke to us earlier about how he played hockey in the morning... his reflexes came in handy. During the show, the guy beside me asked "does Gord smoke?" I said "Yeah, think so." So right in the middle of a song, this guy hurls a cigarette in Gord's direction. Downie pulls the most incredible Patrick Roy glove save of all time and snatches the cigarette out of mid air between his fingers. Our entire section gave out a cry of "OOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!" like you hear at hockey games... or rap battles on TV (Snap! You got schooled!) and Gord looked right at him, then at me, with a look of "damn right. I caught it with my bare friggin' hands."
So much more, Paul Coffey and Dougie Gilmour were there. Such a great show, I need to get to bed.
Thanks again Mav.
A huge thanks to Mav for getting us in, introducing us to the boys and making us feel like we belonged there. Great also to see so many Hipbasers, hang out with Slogget and his crew, and to meet Jamie and his lovely girlfriend.
Some bullet points, since prose fails me at the moment:
- I asked Gord about a trip he, Sam Roberts and Sarah Harmer made earlier in the day to Sick Kids hospital. Gord told us about being affected by the young children who probably won't be there next year... the boys covered "Going Going Gone" on stage, and watching Gord emote his way through it, it was hard not to think of his earlier comments. Gord told us that a little girl asked for Wheat Kings, and I quote from memory Gord's sheepish response: "But I played Bobcaygeon. I've never played Wheat Kings in my life... not sure if I can. I hope she didn't mind."
- I talked to Paul and Sinclair about golf, and to Downie about Shakespeare and the Second World War. He said of The Bard: "Lotsa stories, lots to draw from. He's there. Ya know?" And of WWII he kinda smirked, contemplated and said: "Yeah, yeah... we're at war" with that familiar Gordie grind and bared teeth on the word "war."
- We caught sound check. Heard Flamenco, The New Maybe and Daredevil in acoustic form. It was very cool to stand feet from the boys and hear them discuss what songs to play and how to play them during intro's and outros of tunes. At one point, Gord Sinclair, Gord and Bobby huddled. Sinclair said: "Flamenco maybe?" and Gord answered with "Yeah, that'd be a good one to do." And so the choice was made.
- Dave Hodge gave me life advice; what I should do now that I've graduated. He also chatted to Lance and I at length about Team Canada, Crosby and hockey in general. He was actually supposed to sing with Kathleen Edwards but Kathleen was ill (and gorgeously ill at that I bet) and so he intro'd Sarah Harmer.
- "The Glove Hand." Gord spoke to us earlier about how he played hockey in the morning... his reflexes came in handy. During the show, the guy beside me asked "does Gord smoke?" I said "Yeah, think so." So right in the middle of a song, this guy hurls a cigarette in Gord's direction. Downie pulls the most incredible Patrick Roy glove save of all time and snatches the cigarette out of mid air between his fingers. Our entire section gave out a cry of "OOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!" like you hear at hockey games... or rap battles on TV (Snap! You got schooled!) and Gord looked right at him, then at me, with a look of "damn right. I caught it with my bare friggin' hands."
So much more, Paul Coffey and Dougie Gilmour were there. Such a great show, I need to get to bed.
Thanks again Mav.
hock: Shit, man, that's my all-time favourite right there.
Sinclair, smiled and gave us a "no."