Just When You Think Everything Is Going Wrong...

...life offers you a little treat.

I feel I must write about this because I have been suffering from a splitting headache since last night, and if I don't get more excited about this than I already am, I am gonna slump into a depression about my headache and stay home today. So what is "this?" THIS, my friends, is BLUE RODEO DAY in Ottawa! To me, THIS is a BIG DEAL! :D

Blue Rodeo has been my favorite band since I discovered their debut album waaaaaay back in elementary school. I don't know how many people can say that they have had the same favorite band since elementary school, but I am one of those people. Looking back now, I wonder what it is that got me hooked, apart from my sister's comment that if Jim would only smile he would be really cute. lmao I was such a different person back then, very young, and now that I can understand the band's lyrics as an adult, I wonder what I understood of them when I was such a baby. That was a long time ago! Here's what happened: My sister and I were watching Video Hits after school, as we usually did, and Blue Rodeo's Try video was being played. About a microsecond after my sister's comment, Jim Cuddy burst into a huge grin on our tv screen and that pretty much sealed the deal. It was a moment of magic. We both became instant fans and Blue Rodeo has been my favorite band ever since. Oddly enough, though, I grew into a Keelorite. Go figure... (For those of you who don't know, the fans who prefer Jim Cuddy's songs are Cuddyans and the fans who prefer Greg Keelor's songs are Keelorites.) Actually, I am a Blue Rodeo fan first and foremost, but I do tend to lean towards Greg's songs when I think of my favorites. Gerg's songs seem deeper to me. On the other hand, Jim is great at painting pictures with his narrative. I love his songs too.

Anyway, today, in recognition of Blue Rodeo being inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame this weekend at the Juno Awards, Ottawa's mayor Jim Watson has declared March 30th Blue Rodeo Day in Ottawa. That means that today at 12:30, the mayor will present the band with a "unique gift." Admission is free but seating is limited so I am leaving home very soon to go get in line. I am very thankful for this chance to see the boys, since I haven't really been able to afford their concerts recently.

I would love to go on about Blue Rodeo but really my head is about to split in two. So I am off, heading downtown. Hopefully the fresh air will clear my head.

But if you are curious about them, I definitely encourage you to google Blue Rodeo. Or, you can check out some of the videos I have put up on YouTube. Black Ribbon is a great one. So is Cynthia. :o) Enjoy!

*UPDATE*
I am home again and have posted a review of the event on bluerodeo.com, if anyone is interested. :o)
I'm glad I went.