In the grand tradition of irony (definition: an outcome of events contrary to what was, or might have been, expected), I am home sick on the first week back from the WUFA strike. I've been extra tired in the last few days; I had [falsely] assumed it was the changing of the seasons that had me run down. Alas, it turns out I was fighting off this sickness. It's not as brutal as those I have had in the past, but it's enough to knock me on my ass. I've got my fingers crossed that this is a 24 hour thing and will soon depart my system.

I got to see TIME play at the pub on friday. It was an amazing show, as always. I was more than a little surprised that the crowd thinned out after Stereo Goes Stellar... they are an awesome band, but TIME was headlining, and they are WAY more killer than SGS. Maybe I'm just biased; I am friends with TIME and am also their unofficial photographer. Even before that, when I knew the guys but wouldn't really call them 'friends' per se, they still totally blew my mind. I remember my first time seeing them play...

It was about a year ago, and the pub. My camera was being stupid, so I borrowed Steff's awesome digicam to take some pictures. I stood in front of the stage, leaning against that one pillar which is blocky and uncomfortable, and is a visual major hindrance for anyone sitting behind it. I asked Tyrone if it would bother them to have a camera flashing right at them. He introduced me to Pat, the bassist, and they both assured me it was fine. Once they started playing, I was awestruck. Each guitar lick entranced me, the lyrics hypnotized me... their movements were so fluid I couldn't take my eyes off them. Not only were they excellent performers, but the quality of their music blew my mind. I bought one of their t-shirts that night.

Now it's been a year. I have made it to a good 75% of their shows (except for out of town dealies and nights when I was either sick or had Pi Lam events). I've taken hundreds of photos of them. Some of my favourites are the really abstract ones, with motion blur and unique colours from the spotlights. I've also enjoyed some localized popularity; I've had about half a dozen random people approach me and tell me they love my work. Not to mention being published three times (twice in The Lance and once in a downtown social newspaper). Of course it's mutually beneficial. The TIME boys get press coverage, and I get to cling to their bandwagon, figuratively speaking. That's okay with me. When they are rich and famous, maybe they'll cut me a check. :)

I've been extending my artistic abilities to other fields. I've been a painter for a few years now (albeit I'm not as good at painting as I am with a camera), and I just finished a labour intensive wood working project for my Pi Lam boys. I believe I've mentioned this project before, so I will not go into redundant details (REDUNDANT!). Suffice to say, it was completed at about 60 hours of work (which is roughly one hour per pound it weighs) and is now carefully padlocked in place on the fireplace mantle in their house.

I can look at the project and see each and every flaw in it. There are places where I should have sanded more carefully, and other spots where I painted over hairs. The mirror could have been polished better. But the guys didn't see any of those flaws when it was unveiled; they whooped and hollered wildly. Upon reflection, I believe the flaws I see are simply part of a greater infliction of self-doubt, which nearly every person goes through at some point or other. Why is it that humans are naturally so self-conscious? I must ponder this question carefully.