I'm catching up with my thoughts. I can only blame the nice, warm weather for the delay. I'm not complaining one bit. It hit 30°C today, and that's without the humidex. Sure, my face becomes a possible source of renewable energy, thanks to my constant production of oil, but I'm fine. Stick me in an air-conditioned room, and I'm a happy camper.

On Saturday, I drove down to Massey Hall yet again. I've been downtown three times in four days. It's rare, but I'm glad that I've been able to do so. I used to frequent the downtown area at least once a week many years back. These days, it seems like once a month or once every three months. The drive was lovely, with the sun shining down on me.

I visited H&M again. I found a nice shirt that I liked, and had to try it on. Surprisingly, it looked nice on me. By the time I had left the changing room area, the store had closed. Yes, the store is still rather new that there was a huge line-up to find an empty change room, and there must have been at least a dozen of them there. So, I happily went to pay for my purchase. I then walked around the Eaton Centre, as I saw all the stores shut down. Actually, I was looking for a washroom. I finally found one.

The Yonge-Dundas square had a lot of artisans selling various goods. I cut through that and headed to my car, where I dropped off my bundle of shopping joy. I proceeded to walk towards Massey Hall.

In front of the music hall, I met my friend, who had this huge smile on his face. We hadn't seen each other for ages. I gave him a ticket and we just chatted all the way up to our seats. We were in the second row in the balcony. Great view. I was three rows closer to where I was seated when I saw Joss Stone.

We had ten minutes to spare before the opening act, Elkland, came on stage. Four rather cute guys, I must admit, took to the stage. The lead singer reminded me of Gumby. He constantly arched his back while singing. He even arched it while walking backwards. It was a site to see. I was envious. It doesn't look like he needs a chiropractor anytime soon...

I do have a thing for drummers. Not all drummers, but I suppose that I appreciate that they keep everything going. The drummer was amazing. At one stage, one of his drumsticks had snapped. Without missing a beat, he flicked the broken one at least six feet to his left and grabbed a new one that was sitting on a stand nearby. I was highly impressed. He's good.

I was impressed that Elkland hammered song after song out. The band was terrific. Yes, I need to get their CDs, too. I went down during the intermission to try and get one, but they were sold out. According to the CD vendor, the band is from Rochester, NY. They were great that night. I'm glad I discovered a new band that I like. The acoustics were much better that night. What I love about Massey Hall is coming out of there and being able to hear everything, without your ears throbbing or anything.

So, after Elkland's music equipment and flag were safely packed away, Erasure came on stage. You could kind of see them behind a see-through curtain. When it finally dropped down, there were two backup singers with wings on. To the left (that is, my left, Vince Clarke, the rather quiet electronics guy, was playing away. Andy Bell, the duo's singer, was standing with a pair of wings on, wearing a nude-coloured, tight shirt, white jacket and matching pants, and started singing. It wasn't a sold-out show, but you certainly thought it was, judging by all the cheering and folks on their feet.

Yes, Mamma Mia! ended several weeks ago. Toronto has moved on. Erasure put on a feel-good show. You couldn't help but to dance to happy, upbeat music. The crowd really got into it, which was both shocking and wonderful. I really didn't know what to expect. I've listened to Erasure songs over the years, but this show blew me away.

Andy has a terrific rapport with the crowd. He started off by recalling that Erasure was last in Toronto a couple of years ago and that "it was friggin' cold! It must have been -14 degrees." He's proud to be gay, hinting that he "became girlie" and that Vince "made [him] gay" when he was introducing everyone on stage to us. It wasn't thrown at us. I admired how open and comfortable he is about himself, his sexuality, and about life.

Vince actually did a bit of a spoken number while Andy went to change. It was nice to see the quiet guy say something. I just like looking at his shaved head. It's cute and sexy, all simultaneously.

Like Elkland, Erasure hammered out song after song, too. It was magical, which coincided with the fairies and the tall trees at the beginning of the show.

The song that blew my mind was Andy's rendition of "Ave Maria." It doesn't take much for me to figure out whether singers used to be in the choir or not. Andy is a choirboy, and he has such a wonderful, angelic voice. I was mesmerized and I nearly melted. He sang it in an Elvis-like outfit and glittery yellow boots. Man, I wish I could walk in such high heels. I'm almost a tad jealous.

Lots of goodies were sung. "Oh l'amour" was beautifully done. "Stop!" got everyone up and dancing. Mind you, I think most songs did. I loved "A little respect." I could go on and on. I should get Erasure's new CD now. After hearing and seeing "Breathe" and "All this time still falling out of love," those songs alone have convinced me to get it.

Towards the end of the show, Andy had one final costume change. He ended up keeping his yellow, sparkly boots on. He was holding two huge fuchsia feathers in his hands and was wearing what looked like an equally shiny pair of blue underwear on, to contrast with his boots. That lad has guts. I can't imagine any of my gay friends prancing around in shiny underwear in public.

The standing ovations were wonderful. The encore was absolutely thunderous. The show was terrific. I'm so glad I went.

After the show, we walked to HMV to do some shopping. I bought two CDs for me and one from a friend. I have listened to the Erasure one. I listened to it while I drove my friend to his place and then drove myself home.

Shifting gears just a tad...

On Sunday, I went out for a few hours. I visited Future Shop, where I once again bought a few CDs. I do need help. I did get a Joss Stone CD to complete her section my collection... for now. I also headed to No Frills to pick up five cans of tuna, a carton of soy beverage, and some asparagus. Before I headed out on my regular Sunday drive, I had made a batch of tuna rolls. When it's hot outside, for years, I've had the urge to bake in the kitchen. Don't ask me why. Perhaps I like the heat? I couldn't tell you.

Since Sunday, I've been trying to reach my favourite manufacturing colleague, who left my workplace at least a month ago. I'm dragging her to the Alanis Morissette show tomorrow and wanted to know what time I'd be swinging by to pick her up. Her cellphone was off and she doesn't have voicemail on it. I had written her e-mail over a week ago and I didn't get a response from her. I finally decided to send a text message to her cellphone. Hey, that worked! I'm looking so forward to seeing Jason Mraz, perhaps even more so than Alanis.

Anyway, after work tomorrow, I'm picking her up. She has moved since we last saw each other. She's actually closer to where I live now. Cool.

Work was fine today. The vice president asked me to read something that he had written for an upcoming symposium. I've been working on that section of the website today, too. Things are fine between us since that I'd-like-to-forget-about-it incident. I'm glad.

My colleague from Selkirk whispered the word sushi in my right ear at lunch time. He asked if I wanted to join him on a sushi run. I didn't hesitate for a second. He drove. I appreciated it. I haven't been driven anywhere by someone for quite some time.

We get along swell, mainly because we both have an affection for Manitoba and we share the same views on things. Today, we talked about the Bombers. We both got a kick out of saying "west side sucks." To understand that, you have to experience seeing the Bombers play a game at the stadium.

Leaving the supermarket, a woman decided to drive out of the joint, using the wrong lane. It's what you have to put up with here. There are some horrible drivers. I don't exaggerate one bit about it.

My accounts payable colleague passed around a box of coconut macaroons. They were soft and yummy. They melted in my mouth. I love them. Coincidentally, compliance woman (CW) and the production manager (DJ) love them as much as I do. Funny how that all works out.

My manager decided to put on a Darth Vader mask today. It was great. It would be hot as heck wearing that outside. Luckily, our workplace had the air conditioner going.

I left work at roughly 17:10 today. I passed by DJ's office, which was dark. I thought he had left. His door was open. I moved my eyeball, while still staring straight ahead. He was sitting in his chair in the dark. I saw his head jerk up. I didn't say anything. Neither did he. I then walked past my manager's office. I didn't realize he was in there and he said goodnight to me first. I'm so glad that my manager and I are getting along so well these days. It's a change for the better.

I headed to my car, put my jacket and cellphone down, got in, changed the CD, started up my car, sat there and listened to a tune, and then decided to back out. I took longer that usual to do all this. Normally, I plop myself into the driver's seat, start the car up, and then drive off.

While backing out of my parking spot, DJ was approaching his car, which was a couple of spots away from where I was. I have felt on a number of occasions that he wants to say something to me. It felt like that today. I simply waved to him. He reciprocated, with what looked like a white pen between his head and his upper ear.

I brought out my fan that I had purchased in the States when I used to live there. It's probably four years old now and it still works like new. I love the fan, for it has a remote control. It was different. I had to get it, plus the fact that I was shopping for a fan anyway back then.

I took pictures of the roses outside for my mom. One of these days, I'll sort out my digital pictures.

Oh, I forgot to mention that I'm seeing Jann Arden. Two extra shows were added here in Toronto. I'm in row E for this one. I'll be seeing Jann four times on her upcoming tour. Woo hoo!

|

Song that's stuck in my head: Erasure's "A little respect"
Yummy food eaten today: Sushi and sashimi
What I crave: Tiramisu

Recent thoughts:
Readings, lights, and random thoughts - 2009-03-15
Thoughts about work, school, and peeps - 2009-03-09
Working from home and a mini life update - 2008-12-19
The weekend is here! - 2008-01-06
A new year - 2008-01-01