Do you realize that if you leave Sydney Australia early in the morning of February 14th, and fly all day, you arrive in Vancouver earlier on the very same February 14th?  That’s like getting two Valentine’s Day’s in one year.  I had that very experience only a couple of days ago.  Double the Love.

I’ve been in Aus for a couple of weeks working on a couple of projects with RC.   We were writing for a new project that I hope to tell you all about in months to come, but for now shall remain hushed.  We also recorded a TOFOG entry for a new John Williamson Tribute CD.  For, Australians, John Williamson is like Stomping Tom for Canadians.  Not sure if there is a US comparison.  He writes and sings simple songs primarily about the rural Australian lifestyle and landscape.  Some of them are quite lovely and poignant; others fun and silly.  He is a Folk Hero to many in the land down under, as his forty plus years in the biz have cemented his place in Australian history.

Had a grand time with the TOFOG gents old and new and I’m always grateful for a chance to dance with them.

Jetted all the way back on the 14th.   Flew from

Coff’s Harbour to Sydney    1.5 hours
Sydney to Vancouver        15.5 hours
Sydney to Toronto        5 hours
Toronto to St. John’s        3.5 hours

With stop over’s the whole journey takes about 30 hours.  It’s about the same travel time going East or West, North or South of here.  Interesting.  That’s about as far away as one can travel without ending up closer to home.  Most would argue this to be a long travel day, and they would be correct.  

But I find it amazing that we can basically get anywhere civilized on the planet on commercial airlines, in less than a day.  Less than a Century ago, Australia was a world away, and literally a prison sentence for petty criminals from Ireland, Scotland, Wales and England.   Once a prison ship dumped you in Van Diemen’s Land, you would most likely never find a way to get back.  In more recent years, flying to Australia was a multi day venture.  Now the bigger jets do it in no time.

It’s 2010.  Big year for me, as I’m entering my 6th decade.  You know what I mean.  I was born in the 60’s, learned to walk in the 70’s, play gtr and sing in the 80’s, formed a band and signed a record deal in the 90’s, got married and had a son in the 00’s, and now I stand on the edge of the 10’s.  Doesn’t seem like much when you put it like that does it?

Big year for Canada as well with the World watching Vancouver.  As many of you know, GBS us heading West next week to play a few show’s in the Olympic area.  It is going to be quite a thrill to be a part of it.  

Personally, I’m heading out with brother Bernie a few days earlier in a pilgrimage that started the day the Olympics were awarded to Vancouver some five or six years ago.  That day, I contacted my brother and said,

“We are going to the Hockey”

That’s all I needed to say.  He knew what I meant.  We have been watching and playing hockey together for five of the six aforementioned decades.  The Vancouver Olympic Men’s Hockey competition could very well prove to be the greatest ice hockey tournament of all time.  It most certainly could be the best one held in Canada in our lifetimes.  Can’t wait to see it.  Great treat for me and Bern.

Still putting the finishing touches on the new GBS CD and looking forward to the release of Sean’s solo CD “Lullabies for Bloodshot Eyes” due out next week.  More about the both of them later.

It’s just past 7am in St. John’s.  The jet lag found me awake at 5:15 and I’ve been sitting trying and trying to stay quiet.  Neither is my forte.  Like clockwork, shortly after 7, I hear the first stirrings of the Prince.  There’s been far too many Skype suppers and computer hugs in the past 12 months.  Best make the most of the real ones.

Cheers,
Alan