I am feeling flu-ey. Arggh!
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JA
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JA
Today, I nearly left half my teeth on the ground on my way to the bank. It’s way to slippery. I have never had to concrentrate this much to walk less than a kilometre.
Today, I will go fetch the keys to my appartements. It was pretty fast the way I found it!
4 december: it occurs to me that my housemate’s brother is coming on the 16th of December and that I have to clear the room by the end of the month. Also, I am at the point where I am sick and tired to have to drive a long way when I go to town. whenever I get out of my house it’s to go to town, so I might as well move there.
5 december: ask my housemate for a website where I can search for appartements in Montreal. The same day I give a phone call, get the prices and location
6 december: go visit the place. It’s a very cold day. Just a reminder why I need to move out of where I am at the momeng. The place is great. It has a shopping mall undergound so I can live for a whole week without experiencing the cold and the only time I’d go out would to church.
I tell the “agent de location” (rental agent, I think) that I am game but have to rush off to Toronto. She says that I must make up my mind right away cos other ppl are interested. I don’t respond well to pressure so I tell her with a rather sarcastic tone that if she does not trust my word she can give it away, that there are more appartements in Montreal and that if ppl took it, then it was a sign that it was not meant to be…
9 december: I get back from Toronto and of course the appartement is still available. I guess she was using the salesman technique on me. I get my documentation ready
10 december: go give her my details so that they can do a credit check on me. I also sign the contract.
15 december: the rental agent send me an email line telling me that my application has been accepted
18 december: i will go fetch my keys because I am moving in on the 1st of Jan 2004 and they will be closed. Why move in at such a date? Well, new year, new beginning. My first time leaving alone! Although, people are already lining up for my sleeper sofa that will be visitors’ guest room.
I was always under the impression that getting an appartement was a pain in the butt. It’s not. Frankly, people make it sound like rocket science but it ain’t. I will let u know how my move goes. When I go check out the appartement, I will go see what the women look like. So far, I know that one of my DJ friend Misayo stays in the same building. Nice. When we go out, we’ll share the cab fare or catch a lift together. She’s japanese so she’ll introduce me to beautiful Japanese women. Yepaaaa! 😉
Now, I need to worry ’bout purchasing furniture. To be honest, I am thinking of taking a trip to Ikea and just showing them what I want then having them deliver and move the stuff in my house but that would be like acting like a rich kid. But still, I think that I am gonna do it… I have helped people move so many times this year that I am sick and tired of it to do it for me!
So, you feeling generous? Buy me an IKEA Gift Voucher. That will be a perfect gift and you have thus purchased shares that will give you priority to staying over. Buy the whole furniture for me and I will even let you share my bed with me (assuming that you have the good looks of course, I scare myself enough already lol 🙂 [if my sisters read this, they’ll think I have gone haywire… worry not dear, worry not]
If you decide to offer me a gift voucher for XMas and/or as my gift for one year being in Canada or for 6 month being in Montreal or for a 100 years that the Wright brothers flew or for the historic moment of Saddam’s capture or just because you simply love me, you will have contributed to charity. After all, do u really want me to live on the floor?
Yes, I love myself. God loves me so I might as well love me too 😉
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JA
Just realised that today, it’s been 6 months living in Montreal.
Looking back at this half-year, I must admit that I have exceeded all my expectations:
- My DJ career is on: I have DJed at some of the best places in Montreal which many locals have yet to do
- My old school friends still rock
- I have met new interesting and fun people
- I have networked like crazy
- I have met some artists that I have been a fan of for years
- I am still making great cash in what I do
- I have met very beautiful women
- God is still on my side and that what matters the most: He has never left me nor forsaken me. He rocks!
All the above makes me happy. These 6 months were worth living and if a bullet had to go though my head right now, I think that I would be content with my trip on earth and ready for eternal life
Thanks to everyone who has prayed for me and supported me (financially, kisses, hugs, listening ears, laughter and so on…)
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JA
Since Sunday 6 PM until now (Monday 11:30 AM), snow has been falling and it’s at more than 30 cm already. Some cars have completely been covered and it’s practically impossible to move unless, the “chasse-neiges” (I don’t know the term in English, but these are tractors that remove the snow off roads and sidewalks) have gone past.
I am staying nice and comy at home. There is no way I am venturing out there. And some silly people are suggesting that I go play outside and make snowmen.
What do I look like? A tourist? Someone who has lost his mind?And the snow seems not to be stopping anytime soon 😦
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JA
It’s 4:45 AM and I have just returned from Toronto where a friend was DJing at a private birthday party. The party itself was not bad and we had quite fun gatecrashing it by inviting a couple of friends over! I met wonderful people and very beautiful girls that also have a beautiful heart which is rare…
I now need to sort out stuff for the appartement that I want to move into. I was supposed to mail back the concerned parties but I left everything to the last minute so I am pretty dead.
What else?
Ah yes, I have met Nick Holder the great house music producer. That’s a big thing in my life!
I also DJed at one of the best supper clubs in Montreal that features probaly the best soundsystem seen in a restaurant in North America. The people felt it, I felt it and I look fwd to playing again sometimes soon.
I need to go to bed… this week is gonna be pretty interesting.
PS:I missed gym. Bummer…
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JA
Two good friends of mine, one a DJ are headed for New York tonight to perform at a private birthday party where the cream of the entertainement in New York is going to be gathered.
Am I jealous?
Hell yes, I am, given the fact that if I could have made it (passport issues), I would have DJed there too.
Grrr….
I am so mad :o|
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JA
I am in need of some serious earplugs. All these nights either playing out or checking out fellow DJs is surely taking a toll on my ears. I went to hear two of the greatest DJs play the other night (Frankie Knuckles & David Morales) and the soundsystem was the best in the whole world. That’s not even a vague saying, it’s a fact.
So if anyone can recommend decent earplugs and where to get’em, pls email me!
I am getting news from my South African buddies. I have no idea why but everyone is sending messages at times when I really wonder what’s happening with them.
I am looking for a house to rent in Montreal city centre. I live 45 minutes away and the taxi fares are starting to annoy me as well as the fact that when we finish partying my friends are nicely warm in their beds while I am still trying to figure out if I have missed the bus or not.
I have just realized that the only times I leave my house are when I need to buy groceries, go to the gym, and go to Church. Most of my time out is in restaurants or pubs so it makes sense to move closer.
Friday, I have to see the dentist… If u knew how freaked out I am. But I will be fine. The nice lady at the reception promised me so. I have made her promise that she’ll be there and hold my hand. 😉
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JA
And I have a very valid excuse too. I have been busy. Busy and Lazy. You see when I have lots to do, I don’t have the time to write anything and when I have free time, I postpone it which becomes never.
My life in Montreal still rocks. I am enjoying the company of my Kenya friends as well as my new made friends. I actually do not get out of my way to meet new people but it’s weird, I have met more people than I can even remember.
What has happened since the last post?
Gigs, lots of DJ gigs. In the month of November the floodgates opened up for me and I am getting a lot of DJ bookings. I admit that some of them are dodgy and I have compromised my music integrity but others have been pure bliss.
I now hang out with one of the biggest name in the DJ community and even though it’s for business reasons, there is some
friendship on the way. Although, I have learned that balancing friendship and business is hard. So, I am playing it very safe.The year is about to end. For the first time in my life, I have no regrets about a year that’s gone by. I exceeded my expectations.
God has been so good to me even though I must admit that I have lugged behind very often.Business is good. Profits are OK but am working harder as I want to move into another income bracker. Not to show off, but to start living my childhood dreams that require lots of money.
Any woman in my life? Nah… None. But she’s out there. I am not worried about that. I am having so much fun.
Interesting comment… those people in SA that promised to write everyday never write. Instead those that I saw once
every blue moon write often… how bizarre.I need to buy a plane ticket. I am going home for xmas. Not only to celebrate the birth of my Lord and Saviour but to also
give thanks to the Lord what for He has done for us. -
JA
Today, I was going through the list of celebs that I have met (personally) so far. They are not pop stars but in our scene they are pretty influential. If you know nothing about house music, all the names will mean absolute nothing to you. But if you know your craft, you should be jealous… :-).
This list is compiled according to the order, I met (and had a proper chat with) the people in question…
jojoflores (Montreal)
Osunlade (New-York, Puerto Rico)
Christian Pronovost (Montreal)
E-Man (New-York)
DJ Pope (Baltimore)
Jon Acquaviva (London – Ontario; Canada , not UK)
Blue Quarter (Alberta)
Fred Everything (Montreal)
DJ Heather (Chicago)
Kerri Chandler (USA)
Danny Howells (UK)
Miguel Garca (Montreal)
Blaze (USA)
Little Louie Vega (NYC)
Nick Holder (Toronto)
Naomi Nsombi (Toronto) , her beauty is breath taking. For about 5 minutes. I just stared at her in pure admiration! And her personality is nothing short of sparkling!
Japhte Guillaume (?)
James Holden (London)
And I am still meeting new people everyday. They all are so courteous and professional and love South Africa so much. Needless to say, they don’t believe me when I tell them how huge they are there except for Heather and Fred Everything who both have played there….
I also have met many local talent, wanna be DJs and hardcore house music lovers and devotees. It’s so nice to hang out and share our passion for this beautiful music.
It has been just over 2 months I have moved to Montreal and so far, it has been a good move. On a social level, I am so happy to be with my old pals and on the DJ front, this is a nice career launching pad. And the women are hot :o).
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JA
OK… So it has been three weeks since I last posted anything. Is it because my life has been so boring that I have nothing to share? Well, the answer to that question is a resounding, “No!”.
The reason I have been really quiet is simple. I have been busy. Busy in exploring Montreal before winter kicks in, busy welcoming old friends to Montreal, busy in meeting people in the DJ/House scene locally, busy in trying to get more work done so that I can afford my music production gear and busy trying to get rid of a nasty cold that I caught when I thought that I would be uncool going out covered against the freezing wind…
So, there you have it. If you are a regular reader, sorry to keep you wondering where I have been. But now, I am back until the next time I disappear
In the last 3 weeks, I have met so many people and made new friends, my hand is still numb from typing the phone numbers from business cards into my address book.
Weather wise, summer is definitely on its way out. The leaves are turning brown already and it’s getting colder by the day (although the last 4 days have been exceptionally hot). This city is so great in that there’s so much to do in summer that I wonder what I will do in winter. But I know that I’ll keep myself busy or I am going to start getting myself into the dating marketplace, if you catch my drift…
So to summarize…. It’s been 8 months that I have been in Canada and 3 in Montreal. They all have been good. No regrets. It’s actually getting better and better by the day. So, I am truly thankful
That was a quick note to make up for the 3 week absence. I hope that you dear reader are well and enjoying life to the fullest too. Until next time, do have a lovely week wherever you are!
PS: Thanks to all those who sent me b-day wishes and gifts. The emails and presents are much appreciated!
JA's Jibba Jabba 