I’ve been a fan of The Fray and Jack’s Mannequin for years now. I can’t remember how I even discovered The Fray, but I saw them the first time they ever hit Toronto and it was about $15. It was in my sophomore year of high school, we skipped the afternoon of school, hit the big city and had a pretty amazing day to be topped off with an incredible show. Seeing them last night was just as special, they never fail to play the most beautiful music. I discovered Jack’s Mannequin through One Tree Hill when they had first formed, I had heard of Something Corporate and Andrew McMahon, but Jack’s is something special.
I’ve seen both these bands every time they’ve come to the city, The Fray at The Phoenix and Kool Haus and Jack’s at the ACC, Kool Haus, and Opera House. I was more excited this time around to hear stuff from both of their new albums. The Fray’s self-titled, second album is not a stretch from the sound of their first How To Save a Life, but is filled with a new round of melancholy hits. Jack’s second album The Glass Passenger is also similar to the sound of their first Everything in Transit, but equally amazing.
Last night was a gorgeous summer eve. It’s been a long time coming. My friend Madeline accompanied me, we had a couple Corona’s on my balcony and then made our way down to the Molson Amphitheater. If you’re a fan of both these bands, or even a fan of ‘piano rock’ then this was a show you wouldn’t want to miss. The sun set, the was a warm breeze and the amiptheatre filled with the gorgeous, gorgeous sounds of Isaac Slade and Andrew McMahon’s voices and the perfect melodies that accompany them.
Lyrically and musically I think both these bands are brilliant, their music speaks to so many people and it’s always so haunting to be one in a crowd of thousands singing the same words that mean so much. I guess this isn’t a critic’s review, it’s simply a fan appreciation review of what a wonderful experience it is to hear beautiful music live, and I keep coming back, time and time again.
“Some things we don’t talk about, rather do without, just hold a smile.” – Never Say Never, The Fray
“I get the feeling we’re so misdirected, I get the feeling we have lost control.” – Drop Out / The So Unknown, Jack’s Mannequin
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Tags: Concerts, Jack's Mannequin, The Fray
The Possibly TMI Midnight Post
There is something oddly fascinating about places that are open past midnight, especially stores open 24 hours, like Metro or Shopper’s Drug Mart. The world should be asleep at these times, shut down and closed up, but for the night owls like myself there are places still open for business. I often contemplate what it would be like working during the wee hours of the morn to see the people who come in just before dawn. The drunks? The homeless? The insomniacs? What really goes on in these places while the rest of the world sleeps?
Don’t get me wrong, I’m not complaining, I love when I can hop across the street for a midnight snack; smiley potatoes, frozen pizza, chips and dip, etc… I just wonder why?
Last night I went to a lovely concert (review to come after this) afterward I felt the hunger pangs and a craving for a Wendy’s frosty on the warm summer eve. So I hopped over to Wendy’s (Eat Great, Even Late – even though they’re only open until 1 a.m.) I made it just in time to get a burger and a frosty and on my way home realized I was in need of tampons, it couldn’t wait another day.
So I walk into Shopper’s Drug Mart, fully aware of how awkward it might be carrying fast food and buying that one item. It’s that one item that men almost always refuse to pick up for you. One that most women buy among a number of other items, not just by itself. But alas, I couldn’t bring myself to care, I picked up a pack of ’slenders’, got in line, burger and tampons in hand and waited for my turn at cash. My experience, not ridiculous, but slightly uncomfortable and a little bit humorous, went like this:
(I put the item on the counter, as well as the burger bag so I can fish through my purse for money.)
Older Male Cashier: You have a burger?
Myself: Yes. I haven’t had dinner yet.
Older Male Cashier: Do you need a bag for these? (Shakes the box of tampons like a Polaroid picture)
Myself: No thanks, that’s alright.
Older Male Cashier: Just thought I’d ask.
Myself: Thank You.
Older Male Cashier: Enjoy your…(Pause, hands me the box of tampons)…
Older Male Cashier: Burger.
I think he was going to tell me to enjoy my tampons…
Thanks?
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Mandatory Introduction Post
Hello Hello. Welcome to my world. I suppose this entry is meant to tell you a little bit about myself, why I’m writing this blog, what I want to achieve, etc, etc. The honest answer is I’m not sure, but I’ll tell you about myself and maybe we can figure it out.
I’m going into my third year of Journalism in the fall. Basically I’m at the point in my life where I can’t do much but push through and push ahead and have fun while I’m doing it. I love the media, I love television, films, music, photography, fashion, literature, social media and technology. As of now this is just another girl, just another blog and as much as I’m doing it for myself hopefully you like what I have to say and you can come join me. I think this blog will generally be a little bit about my life, where I’m headed, the things I’m up to and to review, share and give you my take on what’s going on in the world. There’s a lot I could say about myself and I really don’t know where to begin so I figured I’ll just start with one of those lame internet meme questionnaires that flood Facebook every so often.
My ABC’s
A – Age: -20
B – Bed size: Queen
C – Chore you hate: Dusting
D – Dog’s name: Tucker
E – Essential start your day item: Blackberry
F – Favorite color(s): Orange, Green, Yellow, Blue, Brown, Pink, Red, etc. etc. Benjamin Moore
G – Gold or Silver: Gold Lion
H – Height: 5′3 Maybe, not tall enough to be on Canada’s Next Top Model
I – Instruments you play: Air guitar, Keyboard (Mac), Attempts at the acoustic guitar and a real keyboard.
J – Job title: Quintessential Poor Student Intern, ROLL
K – Kid(s): There will be an army.
L – Living arrangements: Downtown Toronto Apartment
M – Mom’s name: The Greatest Woman on the Planet
N – Nicknames: Car, Mela, Carm, Carmy
O – Overnight hospital stay other than birth: I don’t think it’s happened yet.
P – Pet Peeve: No I don’t have a pet named Peeve, I have a hamster named Winston Scott Humphrey (Nickname: Hamatron)
Q – Quote from a movie: “Say no more, mon amour.”
R – Right or left handed: Righty-O Chap!
S – Siblings: Little delinquent, stylish brother
T – Time you wake up: I don’t sleep.
U- Underwear: Sometimes essential
V – Vegetable you dislike: I like most vegetables
W – Ways you run late: I try to be punctual.
X – X-rays you’ve had: I’ve never dated a Ray.
Y – Yummy food you make: Wicked grilled cheese
Z – Zoo favorite: I like Turtles
Thanks for stopping by! Hope to see you soon.
Carmela
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