London, Day Off
This morning’s confirmed it – sick. Probably bronchitis, so I put myself on antibiotics. The voice is hoarse and so forth. Don’t worry though if you have tickets to upcoming shows – I’ll figure a way to pull them off.
Anyway, on to more pressing issues…
US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice has taken the cake. In fact, she’s taken it and the bakery in which it was made.
Her and DOD grand-puba Bob Gates have been admonishing the Russians of late, the proposed Eastern European BMD shield being the impetus for many of the administration’s newfound concerns. One of them, according to Rice, is Russia’s increased military assertiveness – an interesting observation considering that the administration of which she is a part has set one of the most dangerous unilateral global military presidents in modern history.
Rice asserted in a recent interview…
“I think the rapid growth in Russian military spending definitely bears watching. And frankly, some of the efforts – for instance, Bear flights in areas that we haven’t see for a while – are really not helpful to security.”
One would think instituting a missile defense system on Russia’s doorstep wouldn’t be helpful to security either, but who is anyone to question the motives of the United States? Compared to US military spending, the Russians spend pittance – nowhere near the $650 billion plus dollars that the US will spend this year alone. In short, you can’t set a global precedent with regards to military proliferation and not expect others to follow suit. That’s simply ridiculous, though not surprising given the complete diplomatic incompetence of the Bush administration, not to mention the utterly arrogant presumptuousness of the Bush Doctrine itself.
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October 15th, 2007 at 2:13 pm
To say that the amount of money the Russians are spending to strengthen their own military isn’t helpful (to security) is, in fact laughable… Especially in comparison to that of the US- as you mentioned. Is the US government now going to look at this rapid growth as some sort of sign that the Russians have something up their sleeve and in future see them to as a threat to their national security???
I just see these people criticizing anything and everything any other country does when they themselves have already done the same things - 100 fold. You wanna talk extreme- the larger than life US is definately that- in your face extreme.
I shake my head…
October 15th, 2007 at 2:17 pm
Oh and Matt- I am sorry to hear that you aren’t feeling well again:0( Medicate yourself well and get your rest…and it wouldn’t help to hide those ciggies for a week or so…. Hope you are feeling better soonly- take care of yourself.
L
October 15th, 2007 at 2:19 pm
Unbelievable? Unreal? No, unfortunately it is very much expected. All the peices are falling nicely into place for the “real” super power behind the Bush Administration. For those who know what is really going on in this world..there are no more suprises…we just watch it all unfold like a perfectly written screenplay. @#$%&*’s with their insatiable appetites for money and power. People need to wake up and dig below the surface. We need to stop allowing the mainstream media to be our primary source of “reality”. It’s all a big lie orchestrated by the same group of people who run absolutely everything else (The Federal Reserve, our governments, our education system…the winners always write history…right!?) Research, study, dig, be critical, keep your eyes open. Don’t allow the media to construct your reality. Research New World Order, The North American Union, 911, The Illuminati…
Rather gloomy to know the truth, believe me, I know, but until one does, nothing changes.The more people that wake up, the better chance we have at conquering this beast. Search, learn, pick yourself up once you find the truth and share it with others…we need numbers to make a difference.
October 15th, 2007 at 2:22 pm
stop reading the news and get some rest. you’re hardcore
October 15th, 2007 at 2:24 pm
It is laughable. I mean, who can blame the Russians for not wanting a US missile defense system on their front door step? If the Russians were to try to put a defense system or missiles near the US, like let’s just say somewhere like Cuba, I’m sure the US would welcome it with open arms, right?
And Matt — careful with your lungs. I thought I had bronchitis too at first. If you start getting a fever, go see someone.
October 15th, 2007 at 2:24 pm
Feel better soon, Matt! *hugs you with the hazmat suit on*
October 15th, 2007 at 2:33 pm
Please stop smoking.
Stay away from people, they have germs.
Take a hot bath and create steam with a washcloth over your face.
Hope you are feeling better soon!
Love from Buffalo,
M.
October 15th, 2007 at 3:01 pm
get better guy.
See you tomorrow afternoon and in the evening. Hope you feel better, and if not everyone understands (funny I think that last tour you got sick right at the London show and canceled some dates just after. there might be something wrong with london.)
October 15th, 2007 at 3:05 pm
bronchitis eh? jack daniels always worked for me……that and curling up with a good book…may i suggest Cool Gardens by Serj Tankian…good stuff!
October 15th, 2007 at 3:06 pm
Hey, we will be there tomorow in the afternoon too! My birthday!!!!
Take care Matt!
Christine
October 15th, 2007 at 3:11 pm
Hope u feel better, see you tomorrow :)
October 15th, 2007 at 3:15 pm
I’m planning on flying up to catch the Massey and St Cats shows. Every night for the last month, I’ve been doing the “Please Don’t Let Matt Get Sick” dance.
Looks like I’ve been doing it wrong. Dammit!
October 15th, 2007 at 3:16 pm
/* On sickness */
Matt
From the sources I have consulted with over the years when trying to learn singing, including Mark Baxter’s Rock and Roll Singer’s Survival Manual…
Drink warm tea with lemon and honey, or better yet, ginger root and lemon and honey steeped just like tea. Avoid speaking where possible, or sing while speaking as speaking is very harsh on the folds. The human grunt needs a place to go, and the throat ain’t it.
Plenty of sleep, avoid dairy, sugar, caffeine, smoking and alcohol, all contribute to thickening of the mucus on your vocal folds, which will force you to push harder to blow that stuff off as it affects the vibration of your folds, then of course you rub them and they dry, become irritated and you can kill the voice all together.
I am sure you already know this, as I read you’ve been doing this for 14 years, but I care so I am saying it anyway as a friendly reminder.
October 15th, 2007 at 3:44 pm
Nothing cures the sickies like menthol smokies and some vicks rub, you smell like hell but it works.
October 15th, 2007 at 3:45 pm
grand puba ,well said
October 15th, 2007 at 3:55 pm
It totally sucks that you are sick :( I hope you get better soon.
Also, i don’t intend to appear like a grammar and spelling Nazi, but I think when you said “presidents” you meant “precedent” in the sentence: “that the administration of which she is a part has set one of the most dangerous unilateral global military presidents in modern history.”
I could be totally wrong, and maybe i have the incorrect spelling for that type of “precedent” meaning in the context you are referring to.
October 15th, 2007 at 4:11 pm
It sucks that Americans are ruled by power hogs. It’s typical for the US to criticize another country’s defence. If I recall they were up in arms when they thought Korea possessed nuclear weapons. I was really amazed when Bush vetoed the health insurance for low income families. What a dink. Stephen Harper sucks too. There isn’t any funding in my town for the public Library. Government is taking away the free access to computers too. I think it’s to dumb people down even more. That and war costs a lot… like $4000 a second, which could go to much better things. If you look it up you’ll find the statistics. I’m hoping in my lifetime there’s a revolution against that kind of destructive power. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1CKUywVW6zY there’s a great video of Bush.
October 15th, 2007 at 4:18 pm
Get well soon! no smoking!
October 15th, 2007 at 4:44 pm
Hey man, one time I had bronch; drank tea ALL DAY and was completely better the next day… I always call Earl Grey my miracle drug now, when I have bronchitis.
October 15th, 2007 at 6:02 pm
Nicorette, steam, sleep, contact C and large quantities of rum - that does it for me, for both bronchitis and American imperialism. :)
October 15th, 2007 at 6:03 pm
Sorry to hear that you’re ill. More so that I don’t have any tips for dealing with it, not that you’d necessarily trust my advice. I’ve had bronchitis previously, as well as several bouts of strep throat and one isolated case of tonsillitis (or so I’m told–they all felt like the same raw shit to me), but I basically got through it by lying around, eating cough drops and Jello and drinking juice and never opening my mouth unless it was to bitch about the illness or whine for something.
Earlier today I read your review of your performance in Fredericton and wanted to comment there, but comments are closed. I’m really glad you enjoyed giving that concert. I saw some pictures of you signing some guys’ stuff afterwards and am totally jealous that I couldn’t hang around longer afterward, but my sister (my chauffeur for the evening) had to work in the morning and pretty much hustled me out of the theatre immediately after your encores. Oh, well–someday, I hope.
As for the U.S./Russia bit, one of my biggest issues with the Bush administration is their ridiculous paranoia about anybody but themselves possessing weaponry. Especially since the weaponry is probably fly shit compared to what they’re packing. They’re like the Terminator pissing his pants over schoolboys with slingshots.
October 15th, 2007 at 6:29 pm
Did anybody catch the whole thing about Putin facing an assassination attempt when he arrives in Iran? It’s just too easy to manipulate, isn’t it?
October 15th, 2007 at 6:33 pm
[quote comment="29477"]/* On sickness */
Matt
From the sources I have consulted with over the years when trying to learn singing, including Mark Baxter’s Rock and Roll Singer’s Survival Manual…
Drink warm tea with lemon and honey, or better yet, ginger root and lemon and honey steeped just like tea. Avoid speaking where possible, or sing while speaking as speaking is very harsh on the folds. The human grunt needs a place to go, and the throat ain’t it.
Plenty of sleep, avoid dairy, sugar, caffeine, smoking and alcohol, all contribute to thickening of the mucus on your vocal folds, which will force you to push harder to blow that stuff off as it affects the vibration of your folds, then of course you rub them and they dry, become irritated and you can kill the voice all together.
I am sure you already know this, as I read you’ve been doing this for 14 years, but I care so I am saying it anyway as a friendly reminder.[/quote]
Nothing touches your vocal folds on the way down, that’s all nonsense actually. Only two things aid the voice, beyond singing properly in the first place - sleep and hydration. That’s it.
October 15th, 2007 at 7:17 pm
[quote comment="29506"][quote comment="29477"]/* On sickness */
Matt
From the sources I have consulted with over the years when trying to learn singing, including Mark Baxter’s Rock and Roll Singer’s Survival Manual…
Drink warm tea with lemon and honey, or better yet, ginger root and lemon and honey steeped just like tea. Avoid speaking where possible, or sing while speaking as speaking is very harsh on the folds. The human grunt needs a place to go, and the throat ain’t it.
Plenty of sleep, avoid dairy, sugar, caffeine, smoking and alcohol, all contribute to thickening of the mucus on your vocal folds, which will force you to push harder to blow that stuff off as it affects the vibration of your folds, then of course you rub them and they dry, become irritated and you can kill the voice all together.
I am sure you already know this, as I read you’ve been doing this for 14 years, but I care so I am saying it anyway as a friendly reminder.[/quote]
Nothing touches your vocal folds on the way down, that’s all nonsense actually. Only two things aid the voice, beyond singing properly in the first place - sleep and hydration. That’s it.[/quote]
Sleep usually repairs my voice within 2 days. My voice is also toast if I become infected with a virus (working 80 hrs a week during crunch times does not help), however with my teacher (in ON it was Bryan Vollmer, here in BC it is Gary Zeller) I can sing through it and get my voice back in less than 30 minutes. Though sometimes with Gary he pushes for the Bflat below high C, and yeah, I get some lifting of the throat and too much pressure from the abs (yeah I know, don’t use them, just “think it”), and wind up doing some damage (except when I relax then I don’t — last Friday I was at the Bflat repeatedly, each exercise, and only once or twice I yoddled).
Proper technique is very key.
I was also told to avoid milk, and if you choose to drink coffee/alcohol, as they are dehydrators, it is best to drink water with them or drink plenty of them (probably not the alcohol) or risk drying out the folds and damaging them.
I don’t smoke, so I can’t confirm anything about that, but milk does thicken the mucus, even on the folds. sorry to those readers who just ate.
Thanks for your advice Matt!
October 15th, 2007 at 8:00 pm
Read ‘Rise of the Vulcans’. Rice has had a hardon for the Cold War since she was an undergrad.
October 15th, 2007 at 8:51 pm
Pot, meet kettle. Kettle, meet pot. I’ll leave you two alone now to argue over whose military arsenal is the blackest.
Rest easy Matt. See you on Wednesday. And if your voice craps out halfway through the show you could just have a Q&A session…or read Dear San Diego letters
Also, I think you meant to write “precedent” above…
[quote]has set one of the most dangerous unilateral global military presidents in modern history[/quote]
October 15th, 2007 at 8:52 pm
Pot, meet kettle. Kettle, meet pot. I’ll leave you two alone now to argue over whose military arsenal is the blackest.
Rest easy Matt. See you on Wednesday. And if your voice craps out halfway through the show you could just have a Q&A session…or read Dear San Diego letters
Also, I think you meant to write “precedent” instead of “president” above…
[quote comment="29506"]has set one of the most dangerous unilateral global military presidents in modern history[/quote]
October 15th, 2007 at 11:38 pm
…woops - my bad
didn’t mean to send 2 posts… (I can edit this but can’t seem to delete it)
October 15th, 2007 at 11:42 pm
[quote comment="29551"]
…
Also, I think you meant to write “precedent” instead of “president” above…
[quote comment="29506"]has set one of the most dangerous unilateral global military presidents in modern history[/quote][/quote]
If you pick up just after the word ’set’, then you are left with a clever double entendre.
“..one of the most dangerous unilateral global military presidents in modern history”
reads pretty accurate to me whichever way you spell it.
October 16th, 2007 at 1:21 pm
Take it easy matt, drink a lot of vinigear appearently that helps out the throat. See you tonight!!!
October 16th, 2007 at 1:36 pm
Putin is flexing on both domestic and international fronts these days- worthy of concern… not to mention He, Iran and North Korea are all acutely aware that the US is taxed and really doesn’t have the resources to mount any more actions. Rice is either a moron or a puppet!
October 16th, 2007 at 2:43 pm
London is a nice town, if you accept a few flaws. They make up for it with having lots of trees. And Universtiy Hospital comes highly recommended for me, they did a fabulous job on my knee surgury.
Those politics, i think they can be boiled down to a wanna-be Reagan versus a wanna be Stalin.
October 17th, 2007 at 3:44 am
[quote comment="29634"]London is a nice town, if you accept a few flaws. They make up for it with having lots of trees. And Universtiy Hospital comes highly recommended for me, they did a fabulous job on my knee surgury.
Those politics, i think they can be boiled down to a wanna-be Reagan versus a wanna be Stalin.[/quote]
“lots of trees?” someone has mis-informed you my friend. Just because a place is called the Forest City does not mean it has lots of trees (unless you count metal ones in the downtown area)