Max!

November 21/11.

Quite a day yesterday.

Lots to do, preparing for our houseguest (my great friend, Franelle) who arrives tonight. Also had plans to go see my son Max perform in a student drum showcase.

Beforehand, Max had arranged (through a Craig's List ad he saw), to purchase an amp for his drum room, and to pick it up from the seller at Chester subway station. Little did he know, the amp was HUGE and weighed a ton! Being the strong, independent kid he is, he didn't call me or his Dad to come and get him, but decided to carry it home, one slow step at a time for many many blocks! I couldn't BELIEVE it when I saw him walk through the door with this insanely heavy thing!

Max has a lot of upper arm strength from all the drumming plus the hundreds of push-ups in personal fitness class, but still, yikes! He was pretty sore (and tired) after hauling the amp all the way home! But he still had tons of energy for the big show!

Onward to Kensington Market!

The Rhythm in Motion Student Showcase concert was held at the Supermarket on Augusta Avenue.

The room was already filled when I arrived, after fighting insane downtown traffic following the Santa Claus Parade. Thankfully, the show started late due to the traffic trouble, so I only missed one number.

We were greeted at the door by Chris Lesso (left), Max's drum teacher, who organized the entire showcase, and musician Brett Caswell (a favourite of Max's).

Brett now lives in Barrie, and became a father just a month ago. He named his baby son, Phoenix! Cool! Brett made the trek to T.O. to watch the show and perform in the finale onstage with his pal, Chris.

Chris acted as M.C. and also helped the students with their set-ups onstage.

All of the student performers were being accompanied by professional musicians Chris Chiasson on bass/vocals and Dave Murray - guitar/vocals. But Max and bandmate

Emmett Webb were the only ones to go it alone as Basement Scene (missing their third bandmate, Charles Wilson, who was unavailable).

Emmett & Max performed their original song, Take That! - A hard driving rock number

with plenty of opportunity to show off in the drumming department!

Meanwhile, "Roadie Mum" was cheering on the sidelines. GREAT job guys! ALL the musicians presented a fab show. And to Chris, thank you, as always, for everything you do for your students. I hope Max can follow in your footsteps, not only as a pro drummer, but also as an all-around amazing guy and down-to-earth, dedicated, kind, caring friend.

Luckily, traffic was somewhat better on the way back, even at Dundas Square with various street closures. I drove the boys home, listening to the excitement in their voices as they talked about the show, the sound of their music playing over in my mind, and feeling happy and proud of my incredible son, Max, and of Emmett, too, (who never fails to make me laugh).

Can only IMAGINE what the future holds in store for these two! May it be all good things!!

This, that and a little of the other!

November 20/11.

I'm now in the midst of working to try and get the place cleaned up for the arrival of a very special houseguest!

My lifelong friend, Franelle Silver (Emmy award-winning TV comedy writer extraordinaire), is flying in from Los Angeles tomorrow night for a two-week stay.

Above, with my best friend, Franelle, (taken at a Los Angeles shopping mall during Christmas season a few years back).

Haven't seen her in such a long time, so very much looking forward to this!

Me with my two great pals, Joanne and Franelle Silver. I was 17 in this shot, and on my way to my first trip to Hollywood with them. (what a blast THAT was)!

Franelle, Joanne and I originally met when I was 14, while hanging out at the Toronto airport, waiting to catch a glimpse of our teen idol, Bobby Sherman,

(and we DID get to see him, and hang out with him)!

several times over the years! Bobby with Franelle. Peace & Love Babe! (as Bobby always said)!

Will post some updated Franelle pics ASAP, after she arrives! Can't wait to see her!

In the meantime, got so caught up with The Addams Family blog entry, forgot to talk about Friday! Had a fabulous time hanging out with a special friend of mine (who prefers to remain anonymous). We had an unforgettable day together. Thank you for that! Hope we can do it again soon!

On the way home, had to drive downtown, south along Broadview (unusual sky), to The Velvet Underground on Queen Street West,

to pick up Max and his Basement Scene bandmates, Emmett Webb and Charles Wilson. They did a gig there together from 6:30 to 7 p.m., on the bill with a collection of teen rock bands.

Must say, they are the coolest kids!

Later today, at 4 p.m.,

Max & Emmett are scheduled to do another gig together! This time, at the Supermarket, 268 Augusta Avenue (in Kensington Market) for the The Rhythm In Motion student showcase. Should be great fun for all!

Max's amazing drum teacher, Chris Lesso, organizes this annual drumming event to give his students a chance to show off on the stage with a couple of professional musicians backing them. (This time, the guest performers are Chris Chiasson on Bass, and Dave Murray on Guitar/Vocals).

Meanwhile, today also happens to be the birthday of my sister-in-law, Debbie!

Just days after returning from her exciting trip to Israel (!)
she is doing Christmas decorating! (what else, right?) LOL. Good one Deb! Have a great day and a very happy year ahead. I love you!