Yes, I am at the Cabin.  Mainland North Americans would call this place a cottage; some would call it a summer home, camp, lodge, or chalet.  In Newfoundland, however, these places are always called Cabins.  It is a wee quiet spot where there’s not much to do but play with your little fella.  Perfect.

While he’s napping, I thought you’d like to know about our day on Friday past.  One of the most Rock and Roll travel days I’ve ever had.  We were contracted to play a Corporate Function for Shell Canada.  Apparently, Shell has just been bought by a Dutch Conglomerate and will cease to operate as an independent company.  This event was their last hurrah. 

And what a hurrah it was.  They had rented the entire Olympic Oval in Calgary, and removed the ice surfaces and boards from two Olympic size hockey rinks and the Speed Skating track.  The place was decorated so extensively and tastefully, that it looked like the coolest Prom I’d ever seen.  There were at least six ice sculptures as big as refrigerators, more drapery and temporary carpeting than I’ve ever seen in one place, and enough PA, Lighting, Special Effects, Pyrotechnics, and Video Systems for a Rolling Stones Concert. 

The Entertainment for the event was Great Big Sea and Cirque du Soleil.  Enough said.

Myself, Sean and Bob were recording in St. John’s till Thursday and we all had family events that we wanted to attend on Saturday.  So, we left home at 6:30 Friday morning and flew direct to Calgary with a short stopover in Halifax.  We arrived in Calgary just before noon and we went to the gig for the sound check just after lunch.  We returned to the hotel by late afternoon and about two hours later were shuttled back to the Olympic Oval, and played our set.  We walked of stage at 10:30 pm and bolted for the airport to catch a Midnight Red Eye Flight from Calgary to Toronto.  We connected there with a 6:30 AM flight to St. John’s and arrived home shortly after 11 in the morning.

From St. John’s, Newfoundland to Calgary, Alberta; four time zones away; play a gig and be home in the backyard with Molly in just over 24 Hours later. 

That’s Rock and Roll.

You may have noticed that there’s a new link on the GBS Homepage.  The flowery looking link leads you to the Daffodil Place website.  Daffodil Place is to be a residence for Cancer Patients from Rural Newfoundland who must travel to St. John’s for treatments unavailable in their own area.  I have joined the Campaign Committee for this 7 Million Dollar Fundraiser.  As a member of the team, I’ll be approaching, the Corporate Community, Public Groups and Individuals to donate to this worthy cause.

I could not help but jump on board for this Charity for several reasons.  I have first hand experience with Rural Newfoundlanders having to come to the Capital City Area for Healthcare.  Growing up in Petty Harbour, a short distance from St. John’s, our family often housed my Aunts and Uncles, Cousins and Friends from different parts of the Island when they had appointments and/or procedures in town.  It did not occur to me till I was an adult, that most Rural Families who have no relatives in St. John’s, would have to stay in expensive hotels near the hospital for weeks at a time, and spend hundreds, if not thousands of dollars just to see a doctor or receive ongoing treatment for illnesses like Cancer.

Every province in the country that needs a Facility like Daffodil House has one, except Newfoundland and Labrador.  This is made even more troubling when we consider that the geography and population distribution dictates that we need one the most.  This Province is a really big place.  Imagine cost of flying from coastal Labrador to St. John’s, spending weeks at a time in a city hotel, buying restaurant meals three times a day and transport costs to and from the Treatment Facility.  Some have spent over $5,000 for one extended treatment session. A Financial hit like that is impossible for some to manage and they opt for affordable care over the best care.  That is a choice that no one should make.

Daffodil Place will provide to these patients a Family Suite, three meals a day, as well as counseling and support for about $20 per day. 

Check out the info on the whole project at DaffodilPlace.ca

It’s my birthday tomorrow, I’ve asked all my friends to give to this project in lieu of a gift.

If you’d like to make a donation, I’d be very appreciative.

GBS is working hard on demos for the new CD.  It will Rock Planet Earth.

Cheers,
A