Last night was the CCPA’s annual fundraiser. This year it was held at the Pyarmid Cabaret and featured the musical wizardry of Jessee Havey, John K. Sampson, and DJ Kasm. I have been helping out a bit over the past few weeks – getting posters up, asking businesses for silent auction donations, and creating as much of a buzz as I can on facebook. I have recently come down with a mighty cold/flu, but managed to drag my sickly ass out to the Pyramid last night for the festivities.
The evening was a success, I think. There were a fair amount of people there, considering the less-than-ideal amount of advertising that went in to plugging the event, and it seemed as though everyone had a good time. Jessee Havey, who I had never heard sing before, was amazing – she has a beautiful, soulful voice that made me wish I could sing. John Sampson was awesome as per usual, and although many of his songs made me want to burst into tears (there’s something about the quiet, acoustic sound and soft lyrics that had me connecting his songs with my own life), his rendition last night of One Great City was stellar. Every time I hear that song I get all nostalgic for my city, particularly these lines:
The driver checks the mirror seven minutes late
The crowded riders’ restlessness enunciates
The Guess Who sucked, the Jets were lousy anyway
The same route everyday
And in the turning lane
Someone’s stalled again
He’s talking to himself
And hears the price of gas repeat his phrase
I hate Winnipeg
While I was disappointed that many of my friends did not come out to support the CCPA last night, it made me so happy to see Gosia and April there – both of whom stayed the night and bought lots of silent auction tickets – and when I told Matt that I was happy that he came, he responded “I wouldn’t miss it,” which made me all warm and fuzzy inside. It’s nice to know who I can count on. So thanks, guys.
Now I’m back at work, with the fundraiser behind me, dealing with a cold that just won’t quit. With Halloween only a day away, something I’m usually giddily excited about, all I can think of is sleeping the weekend away, and I somehow find myself blaming the city for getting me sick. Damn transit, damn cold, damn people coughing on me. I hate Winnipeg.
