life with more cowbell

First, a bit of back story: So I’d been thinking about getting me a pair of old school roller skates for some time now and finally got a pair at Cardinal Skate Co. on Good Friday (yep, they were open). They’re a low-cut black vinyl boot with light blue outdoor wheels. And, being the safety-conscious gal that I am, I also got a helmet and wrist guards. Check them out, they’re good people: http://www.cardinalskate.com/

Since the weather has not been entirely co-operative since then – and I was out of town during our one day of nice weather on Easter weekend – I wasn’t able to get out and skate till this past Saturday. And, since I haven’t been on roller skates since high school – and then only on indoor wheels – I decided to go easy on the first time out and start off on the asphalt running track in the schoolyard near my house. This turned out to be the best idea I had on this outing: no one to careen into, grass on either side to make for softer landings and relatively little traffic in the park/yard so fewer people to see me make a total ass of myself.

And make a total ass of myself I did. I fell more than skated. The wrist guards saved my hands from getting shredded. On one fall, however, I came down hard on my right hand – so hard that the impact jammed my elbow but good. And that was it for the day. I’d been out about 15 minutes and I was done like dinner. I did, however, manage to actually skate a few feet before that last crash landing, though. So in addition to the achy right palm, elbow, shoulder, neck and side, I also managed to sprain my left index finger (must have done on an earlier touch-down) – the latter I didn’t notice till I was taking some R&R on my loft neighbours’ patio.

Luckily, I had my friend Kerri’s birthday party to attend that night – so I got some rest, did lots of Advil Liqui-gels and headed out to Ten Feet Tall, where jazz singer Ori Dagan was performing an Ella Fitzgerald tribute, with special guests that included pals Shannon Butcher and Shelley Hamilton, and Mark Keiswetter (who I’ve seen playing with my pal Kira Callahan) on keys. It was a great time – and between the excellent company, the music, the beer and the Advil, my achy self was soothed for the evening. Check out Ten Feet Tall -they’re also good people, with a fabulous menu (the menus are inside old record album covers) and a great jazz line-up: http://www.tenfeettall.ca/website/wp/ 

Sunday morning was a different story. No, not hung over – just with the achy-ness.

Oh – and if you’re sick and tired of voting at federal elections – after you cast your ballot, come out to Revival Bar tonight for Shelley Hamilton’s Grace show: http://www.revivalbar.com/

Also playing this week, my pal Kira Callahan and the Big City Big Band at Hollywood this Thurs, May 5:  http://www.hollywoodonthequeensway.com/livemusic.html