Saturday, July 4th/09, Burnsy O’Flannagan’s, Leduc AB

Today was an interesting day. I woke up to find a rather astonishing pain in my shoulder, probably something I did while hauling our combined band’s gear (or “lifting beer” according to Nick) up flights of stairs BY MYSELF CAUSE I’M THAT BAD ASSED… anyways, for real though, strained muscle, no big thing. We loaded in to the venue early afternoon to get everything ready for the evening’s event, which included us, A Trophy Life and Drive By Punch, a sold out show, which had the greatest connotations leading up to an amazing night! The pain in my shoulder got worse throughout soundcheck, spreading to my arm and back, worriesome now. We all decided to head into Edmonton for the day to hang out, hit the mall, sell some cd’s. Tyson also had his nephew’s birthday party to attend, so we made a stop and felt out of place at Toys’r’us, where we settled on a some kind of Tonka truck and a plastic elephant for the little tyke. I eventually decided I should check out a clinic to make sure I didn’t destroy anything in my shoulder, none were open. Instead, Dan, Cody and I went to Starbucks, of all places, to get coffee and free internet and ended up making friends with the Baristas, Maria and Kuwani, and let them unload all of their fine corporate pastries onto us. It was the single most random and delicious thing I have experienced yet, and, we made fans.  The show was great, although I was in a lot of pain, it was most excellent, lots of stoked people and the best of friends, and thanks to Travis, wicked sound. The bands were great, and we were honored to have shared this with Drive By Punch and A Trophy Life.

Unfortunately, following the show, instead of drinking and being merry as was suggested from every band on stage at once, I had trouble breathing and went to the emergency room, where they told me I had pulled two muscles in my shoulder and chest and that I should do nothing for the next week (normally, I would not detest the idea, but I’m on tour, c’mon!) I crashed early, but the party went on well into the AM. The next morning there were talks of Dan Ball operating machinery and urinating names on the sidewalk for money, depending on accuracy and creativity, that is all I know.