I May Post This

The date has always been a memory trigger for me. Seeing 260526 reminds me of 070707. I had wanted to release a mix that was supposed to be hosted by a Toronto artist who goes by the name Rich London on that date. Why? I’ve been a James Bond fan since childhood, the date held significance to his double “O” seven title. I think I’ve mentioned this before through something I published, but I guess that’s insignificant. As is the story probably.

I’m home from work today letting my ankle/foot rest again. I’m sure that I’m suffering from gout in my right toe and the medication is making me a bit dizzy or foggy. The ankle itself actually feels better than it has in nearly 5 weeks, but I’m certain it has something to do with the meds as they’re anti-inflamatories.

I’m attempting to be productive typing this. I just finished sorting through 45 tracks for airplay on the radio show. I still contemplate whether I’ll carry on or stop… should I dump a 30 year old volunteer habit (no, it pays nothing) whereby I sacrifice over several hours a week to it. Or should I change things up and concentrate on a show I post myself online only. I fear that I’ll lose my momentum and consistency if I do the latter. Plus, despite the time it takes to do the radio show, I am both online and the FM dial which broadcasts to vehicles and tuners locally. I don’t think many people (if any) decide to tune onto a radio station at the time of broadcast using a computer or phone… In my case, the radio station website tells me that about 25 people usually listen online.

I keep arriving back at giving people something they wouldn’t necessarily hear otherwise – the curated tracks that get sent to me and I share with them. I guess I’m a little disappointed or bitter that I don’t get compensated on a similar basis for my contribution to the genre or local scene.

Which brings me to local music. I believe a small percentage shares their stuff with me. I see artists doing social media videos, music videos (moreso in the years passed) or offering it for sale through sites like bandcamp, but most of the time not releasing a traditional single, sharing a track with me to play on the radio, or the album itself. I never much understood this tactic, but I guess they maybe share it with other DJ’s that play their stuff and offer them promotion… Why not me?

I am appreciative though, whether I convey it enough or properly. I was out grocery shopping the other day and someone stopped me and said thank-you for the many years of doing the radio show. I’ve said to a number of people, it’s always nice to be recognized and stopped in this way. It’s the non-monetary reward I receive and I do appreciate it. It almost brings tears of joy to my face when it happens. Truth be told, I sometimes wonder if it’s oddly timed out with having doubt or thoughts of quitting when out of nowhere I’m stopped.

I purchased a new laptop and mixer a couple of months ago and I’m still pretty excited about it, despite having trouble carving out the time to practice and use everything. Things aren’t as easy as decades ago. My energy, body, and responsibility levels have changed at 50. The number is still crazy to me, as I’m sure like many others I still think I’m going to live forever and never put much stock in arriving here… or something like that.

I’m off for now. The medication is also making me drowsy and I’m going to switch off now. At least I’d like to shut down and just think for a little while. As opposed to switching the television on and numbing my mind with a movie or show. Enjoy what’s left of the day and drop me a comment.

 Life Goes On

I've just come from my close friend's service and I'm emotional to say the least. I've held it together fairly well during his two week stay in ICU. Complecks was someone I thought we would have grown closer and worked together more. Alas, not the case.

I'm just back home with family and drinking beer number three. I basically slowed my drinking down significantly in 2025, so three beers is out of the norm nowadays. I'll finish typing this and go spend time with family shortly. Perhaps more for them than me, and that's not a slight in anyway. But let's face it, it's 2026 and steering down a cliché path of booze soaked misery and self loathing won't do much good. I'm not interested in doing it anyways. I am, however, independent and would kind of like to loath in work. Sorting music, writing and thinking. Not tonight.

I love and miss my friend. I wish we had more time together to work again. To do things that maybe neither of us fully fathomed. To create more great things together. To help him with his incredible record label. To work closer on projects I'd like to work on. But life is short and that's the lesson here... at least I keep thinking is. Not to take things for granted. To spend more time with family and to take more action and do the things we want or are unsure we want. Just... live.

R.I.P. Complecks (Dust & Dope Recordings)

Captain's Log 250510

 I've always had great intentions, but life simply shuts a lot of them down by placing things in the way. It makes me think of the saying I've heard a few times recently, "Tell god your plans and he'll laugh." Something like that anyway.

I've been listening to a lot of Gary Vaynerchuk, who repeatedly says to create content on all the major platforms multiple times daily. Sometimes as many as 16 pieces. Things that are easy to do, are also easy not to do. The struggle continues.

I spun a nice little gig last night in Westboro at a coffee shop. The shop, to my surprise, closed at 2PM (standard Friday hours according to Google Maps). I was asked to spin from 6-10PM. I started around 5:15/5:30 and was pretty much done when the night came to a close around 9:40/9:45. Played a lot of music that I liked, and a nice chunk of 80s and 90s... probably more 90s. Chris was very pleased and several people backed his compliments up. Plus there was the one girl dancing a fair amount to 80s hip hop. She even roped in a friend at one point.

Her enjoyment of 80s has made me realise I need to sub-crate that era for easy reference. I had trouble finding more 80s tracks last night. I was looking at ALL though... the drive issue still needs further attention. "So much to do, in so little time." The Joker, Batman (1989).

Chip Fu "Like Us" (Official Video)

City Limits: Ottawa’s Hip-Hop Story

 We went to see a documentary about Ottawa's hip-hop scene, made by Ben Telford Visuals, and it was really well done. Several old school heads and a lot of new artists made up the various people involved in the project. Looked great and flowed very well. Ben Telford Visuals has stated he would keep me in the loop on it's widespread public release.

 Definitely a class act... I was fortunate enough to see Classified perform a few times and even met him at the radio station once. He was pleasant, interesting, and interested. My memory of Classified is nothing but positive. His stage show, one of the tightest I've ever seen IMO. Massive shout to Classified, Gray (who promoted him for years in Ottawa), and DJ IV. Salute!

Truth (feat. AL Skratch & Kurious) - Spit It (prod. by Da Beatminerz)

 Ran this one on the show last week. Entire album is produced by Da Beatminerz.

This Year...

 This year I'm going to try a bunch of things differently... need a touch up first. Rap is outta control.

REKS X Melks - Buss Shots (OFFICIAL VIDEO) ft. Ghost Of The Machine

Going on two decades, Reks is still so dope.

240120

 I had a friend or acquantance that used to say, "wishing is for suckers". I'm not sure how else to put it, but I wish I'd blogged consistently nearly 20 years ago when it... became. A gift or possibly a curse is my brain easily calculating numbers. Like how old I am and what year my parents were the same age. Which then leads to, where was I and what was I doing around that time.

I suppose I say this because I'm pushing 50 years old now and question where I wanted to be in life, what I wanted to be doing versus my present scenario. I'm happy, for the most part, but continue to strive for more. More equipment, more money, more vacations, more, more, more. However, also a little less, less, less. Less alcohol consumption, less drama, less bullshit, etc. etc. etc.

I'm hungry though... I'll be back after these messages...