Cat Jahnke Mews

10/20/07 – Old Fire Hall, RosslandWhat’s better – to throw a banana peel in a garbage can or to throw a banana peel on the side of the road? I really want to know. It seems to me that putting it in a bin just means it will end up in a plastic bag at the landfill. At least on the shoulder of a highway it can find some peace under the stars and live out it’s browning existence in nature. Where’s the harm in that?

The show at the Old Fire Hall today was exactly what my soul needed. Not only were the acoustics in the revamped station conducive to a great sound, but the audience that attended were all people I’d love to know better. It was a late night and my eyeballs are paying for it today, but it was nice to stay and chat and be educated about jazz and raw food and sign language and a host of other things.

An Old Fire Hall Tradition
Click on the image to watch the video

There are two things in this picture that I’m not excited about:
1) End of passing lane sign
2) My first snowfall of the season

A Life Lesson Brought To You By Cat Jahnke

10/19/07 – Minstrel Café, Kelowna

I’ve got to give it up to darkness. While I’m not a big fan of it at night time, I find it snug during the day. There’s something relaxing about seeing the sun vainly doing its best to peek through the cracks in the blinds. Especially during nap-time!

A few days ago I mentioned that it seems difficult to break out of a social habit, to go beyond the familiar boundaries of a lengthy relationship. During our few days here in Kelowna we stayed with some extended family and had the chance to cast off some ancient molds. It feels good to learn someone better.

It feels bad to learn that our home was vandalized. This afternoon we checked in with our house-sitter and found out that our garage had been broken into. I have mixed feelings about this. On the one hand I think: blah – I don’t have any energy to care about some neighborhood punks busting up our property. Besides, we knew what we were getting into when we moved onto a crappy street. On the other hand I think: what the hell is out there to stop these little creeps from doing this again and again? Were we just lucky that they didn’t feel like burglarizing our house?

And does it ever feel gross to think that strangers were traipsing through our yard knowing full well that they were not welcome. Yuck!

At the Minstrel Café tonight: Little Emma England pulled her chair right up to the stage and sat quietly and politely there for most of the evening. Her attention span put to shame many others belonging to more mature audience members.

10/18/07 – Day Off, Kelowna

There is a jackpot of junk behind a certain thrift store in Kamloops. Yesterday I saw folks pedaling up with all kinds of baskets attached to their bicycles in order to cart their treasures away. There were vases, vacuum cleaners, CD racks, lamps and a ton of other amazing finds. If this is what they were tossing, I had to see what they were selling! (I mentioned to one of the workers about the pilgramage I witnessed the day before and she said that they did not appreciate the “homeless” who were “stealing” from their bin. !!)

I guess the garbage collector came and emptied most of the “trash”, but there was still so much to see. I offer unto the reading audience an I-Spy Challenge! See if you can find the following in the image above: suitcases (1 x brown, 1 x green), hat, tupperware, baskets (x 6), measuring spoons, various purses, some hangers, a decorative frog holding a bucket, pillow, blanket, clipboard, glass light fixture, cookie tin, one red shoe.

I got to spend some more time with my new friends at CFBX. Sheldon and Kesten had me as a guest on their radio program, “What’s Wrong With Marvin?” It was brief but it was so much fun. Even D-Bot, the one man behind the band, the OZ behind the curtain, made a little bit of an audio cameo during the interview.

Play the above clip to listen to me giggle for nearly 10 minutes straight… My offer still stands to have the hosts Sheldon and Keston join me on tour as banter-ers.

10/17/07 – Players Chophouse, Kamloops

Darren was back-talking, so I set aside my pacifism in order to keep him in line.
These ball-peen hammer knuckles aren’t just for looks!

This might come as a shock, so I’ll ask you to sit down before you continue reading, although I’m sure it’s a little unnecessary because I’m confident that very few people read blogs standing up – it’s just not done! Anyways, here’s the big news: Darren and I were early for something! Couple this with our Japanese breakfast that left not a single employee out of work and you’ve got a monumental tour.

This morning we were guests on the Midday show with Larry Read here in Kamloops. Apparently I was a record-setting musician, playing not one but TWO instruments in two separate songs. I don’t know how my achievement could be toppled, considering the program only allows for two segments per artist. I invite challengers to endeavor to de-throne me by playing two instruments at the same time – but a pair of cymbals between your knees doesn’t count!

I wouldn’t want to follow this guy! ☺

On the set at CFJC

Fresh salsa, the post office, Value Village, non-alchoholic beer, an old-fashioned elevator – these are what my afternoon in Kamloops was made of. I’m starting to think that this city is quite the destination. I always have a blast noodling around these streets.

We were put up in the Plaza Heritage Hotel and it was lovely! I’ve got to say that this hotel has the comfiest of all blankets. There were none of those thin scratchy throws covered by a questionable bedspread here. We got a real live quilt!

On the dark side of the moon, the parking lot attendant was less than friendly, belittling us for parking in the 5-minute zone reserved for patrons of the beer/wine store before realizing that we were checking in to the attached hotel. I wish his extended and sincere apology could erase the condescension he slathered on our otherwise perfect day, but I just can’t get over the tone in his voice when he said, “What does that sign say sir? What does it say? Tell me what it says!”

(What does the manual for forgiveness look like? Are there three easy steps? 1. Accept apology. 2. Swallow any relapses. 3. Live happily ever after. And would that procedure allow one to forgive while still offended or must a reconciliation of differences always take place before a healthy existence may continue?)

The CFBX radio crew showed up at Players Chophouse & Lounge.
Look at how monstrously wide my smile is as a result…

10/16/07 – Talkin Donkey, Vernon

I forgot to mention that I met a Fricke last night. So, a couple Freakes and a Fricke… My audiences rule!

This morning I awoke to the sound of a kitty. I don’t know what it is but I just can’t resist a meowing cat, despite the sneezes and watery eyes that accompany my affection. In my experience, it has been the black and white felines that are the most vocal. Is that a common conclusion?

The cat was actually sleeping like this!

Tonight we returned to the Talkin Donkey and the best iced cappucinos on the planet. I’d been pretty ragged these past few days but was rejuvenated by the presence of some old/new friends (Hi Rennae and Ryan) and by the dancing styles of a two-and-a-half-year-old little girl.

Click on the image to watch the video

There were some strategically placed spotters around the room, protecting this little one from potentially damaging table corners and hearth stones. But even with all her spinning, she kept a solid footing and even managed to successfully chase after an audience member who tried to leave. She was very polite, clapping exuberantly and saying “more please” after each song.

10/15/07 – Voodoo’s, Penticton

While I could never call myself a morning person, there are a few things that wake me up more efficiently than an alarm clock. I thought that a good meal of toast and eggs would top the list, but I have a new favorite: sunrise bowling. Perhaps my fondness extends so far because my confidence is lazy and will take any fluke and turn it into a triumph.

Ten-Pin in the AM
(click the image to watch the video)

I honestly used to have a recurring dream about a shelf you could climb and the strange world beyond. It did not look unlike this! Beyond THIS porthole is Lorne’s forest helipad, which is deliciously strange. Thanks for making my dreams come true Lorne!

It has become an obsession with me to make sure I’m getting enough fruits and vegetables while on the road. I was enjoying these luscious (and EXPENSIVE!) red raspberries until I spied this SNAIL curled up cozily in the corner…

To round out this surreal day I played at Voodoo’s tonight. Below the sign advertising “Addictions” and “Majik Potions”, I practiced saying “I have to pee” in German, I ate vegetables in the dark, and I signed a poster to a young woman’s fickle love interest: “To a heartbreaker – I write songs about people like you…”

(The title for this blog is from the film Beetlejuice, of course. This LINK is one of my favorite scenes from the movie and if Catherine O’Hara didn’t deserve an Oscar for this performance than I don’t know who else could qualify…)

10/14/07 – Lorenzo’s Café, Enderby

We left Fernie right on schedule today. We headed out on the Crowsnest Highway and had no idea that anything was amiss until we saw the sign that said: You are now entering Alberta. It was at that point that we realized we had been traveling in the wrong direction…

Several hours later we arrived at our intended destination and played to a great audience at Lorenzo’s Café. My favorite part of the evening was when our host’s dog Leo started rolling about on the dance floor during one of my slow numbers.

These signs were EVERYWHERE throughout BC, for hundreds of kilometers.
If you’ll notice, no information is given regarding WHERE to find the “Candy Smoked Salmon”…

You don’t want to get up on the wrong side of this bed.

10/13/07 – Brickhouse, Fernie

Breakfast at the Cycle Inn. Most likely the best fruit salad I’ve ever enjoyed. Golden Raspberries?!

The best view from the slowest fast food joint.

I was finally warm today! Anyone who’s met me along the way so far knows that I just can’t seem to get my core body temperature up. I kept thinking that a chill was a curse, but I know now that it is quite the opposite. Those who have traveled light may be able to relate. Shivering doesn’t necessitate another trip to the laundromat, sweating does. And when one’s wardrobe comes out of a backpack day in and day out, the discomfort of being chilly may be a small price to pay for the comfort of not smelling gross.

Tonight I was told that I spoke well. This is something that I really needed to hear because I recently discovered that no matter how much I protest, I do totally tend to say “really” and “totally” way too often. Isn’t there some strategy to purge such repetition? I think it’s used more commonly to treat a potty mouth. You choose an unusual word to say instead. Any suggestions for something to replace my verbal vices?

Cat @ The Brickhouse – If you squint, it kind of looks like my guitar is floating.
Or that my left hand is REALLY strong…

Our new friends Dave and Paula generously allowed us to squat in their place while we were in Fernie. It was so nice to have a homey place to crash, but I found myself reliving the days in our 400 square foot apartment on River Ave in Winnipeg. We couldn’t go back! How many times per week would it happen that we’d arrive home at 3 in the morning with so much to talk about, but have to shush each other to keep the neighbours happy?

Apartment living is not for the nocturnal!

10/12/07 – Langham, Kaslo

It was a race against the clock to get to the ferry. We won and we lost. We arrived just in time to be the third vehicle in line NOT to get on.

12:37 pm (BC time) and we’ve gone 18.3 km

12:48 pm and we’ve gone 37.3 km

We arrive at the dock at 12:52 pm, a full 8 minutes before the next scheduled departure.

This is the ferry pulling away. There were only two vehicles ahead of us!

At least I got to capture this photo of a cute squirrel while we waited – Completely worth it!!

The greenroom at the Langham!

Stay posted to YouTube for my first live video contribution. I was so stoked that the folks in Kaslo did not disappoint my expectations of a choir. They eagerly supplied some backing vocals and nearly brought tears to my eyes while I sang about unworthy melons and beef stew…

10/11/07 – Hillcrest Hotel, Revelstoke

The title of my blog yesterday was taken from an old Saturday Night Live sketch. Thank goodness for YouTube!

I was asked today whether I owned my own plane, and I’m starting to think that maybe my graphic designer is getting too good…

From Golden to Revelstoke to Kaslo – I saw these little “fairy” bugs everywhere. I was so devastated when I jabbed a finger in my eye to attempt an extraction of some sudden debris and retracted my digit to find upon it the crushed corpse of one of these tiny angels. Seriously though, what the heck are these things?

Shimmery wings and a little blue tutu…

I forgot to mention that I met some Freakes yesterday. How could I neglect such a noteworthy piece of trivia? Have you ever heard of a cooler last name? And it was interesting to hear the fellow discuss the torment he endured as a child in contrast to the congratulations his own children receive for the very same reason.