A Pilgrim in the Blues

Lovey's BBQ and Smokehouse Jingle

2009-04-24T14:24:00.000-07:00

2009-03-17T20:30:00.001-07:00

So long and thanks for all the fish.

You can contact me at 2048024673
Vous pouvez me joindre au 2048024673.

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Adventures in Blue Polyester - Episode 7

2008-10-07T10:16:00.000-07:00

On Becoming a Bus Operator

Sorry for the long delay in posting folks. I've been busy with learning the ropes of bus operation. I'm almost completed the training phase of my new job and have been busy driving "in service" routes all over the city. I keep hoping I'll see one of my friends and they'll pass by without noticing it is me. So far only two people I know have gotten on my bus. The first was while I was in early training and he didn't see me. The 2nd was in the early "in vehicle" training where I worked in advance of the real bus schedule. He also didn't notice me. In both the previous cases I was too concerned with the operation of the bus and watching for routes to want to be bothered with chatting.

At this point I can safely say that I enjoy driving the bus. I'm not overly fond of the split shift or the long late shifts but overall the job is not disagreeable. It is true that you see alot when you are sitting in that seat. Riding above the traffic as it were. Which brings me to my point. People please stop using your cel phones while driving!!! I know none of YOU do that but still, STOP IT! The other day I watched a woman (no I'm not being sexist) texting while she drove down Portage Avenue. How can you watch the road while staring at that little screen? I have seen several folks talking away on their phones simply change lanes without looking because they couldn't crane their heads around with the phone attached to their ear. This behavior will cause an accident sure enough. Ok enough preaching...you are all adults and can govern yourself accordingly.

See you out on the road!

2008-09-25T11:29:00.001-07:00

Passed my written test and my driving test so I am now an official bus driver. Yahoo!

You can contact me at 2048024673
Vous pouvez me joindre au 2048024673.

Adventures in Blue Polyester - Episode 6: Passengers

2008-09-16T19:18:00.000-07:00

So yesterday and today I spent the day driving "In Service" picking up passengers along various routes in the city. At first I was all nervous thinking that I would make mistakes and look like a bad bus driver. Then all of sudden it hit me, I was a brand new driver. I'm driving a bus that says "Training Bus" on it. I can suck and it's ok!!! That gave me the freedom to just drive and enjoy the process. Today was much better than the first run yesterday. I am learning to make smooth stops, open the doors and have transfers ready, plus how to keep the schedules on time so that folks can get where they are going. Doesn't sound like much but add to that the task of driving the bus safely and efficiently through traffic and doing it all so that your passengers get a smooth ride and you'll get the picture. The day just flies by and before I know it I'm back at the garage going over the day's notes and getting prepped for the next day. Who knows, maybe you'll be on my bus tomorrow?

Adventures in Blue Polyester - Episode 5 My New Office

2008-09-12T19:30:00.000-07:00

Adventures in Blue Polyester - Driving in Traffic

2008-09-11T03:49:00.000-07:00

Hey folks! Great to be back in the blog-o-sphere! This bus driving course has kept me hopping. So much so that I've been neglecting the followers of this adventure. (all three of you - LOL).

On Tuesday this past week we had a big Day 11 written test. This was on our last classroom day and passing it was important because after it there would be no more classroom time before our big final exam and road test. I'm pleased to announce that I passed with 94%. Not the highest score in the bunch but certainly respectible. Gifts will be accepted at the address below...

So yesterday we started driving full days. Due to a larger class size than usual (and an odd number) I get to be in a bus myself with an instructor. Usually there are two operators and an instructor. The two would trade off during the day at regular intervals. In my case I'm driving ALL DAY! Yeeehawwww! This is giving me the road time I need to become a "smooth operator" and really know how to control the bus.

Yesterday we drove all over the south and west sides of Winnipeg from the University of Manitoba to St Norbert, to Charleswood, Cresentwood to Murray Park. It was loads of fun and I'm already getting more used to the bus. Today I'm going to be careening down the streets of downtown Winnipeg. This should be interesting. Stay tuned and see if our intrepid blue hero can withstand the stress of downtown Winnipeg!

Ain't No Sunshine

2008-09-07T11:32:00.001-07:00

This is my Sunday morning version of Bill Wither's classic R&B tune. Hope you like it.

Adventures in Blue Polyester - Episode 3 - Just moments before the incident...

2008-08-29T14:22:00.000-07:00

Ok there was no incident per se, except if you call driving a 15 ton, 40 foot bus in traffic without hitting anyone or coliding with curbs an incident! I call it a miracle. Here I am just moments before getting in the driver's seat and piloting this bus into traffic and across the river. No I did not pick up any passengers (except a transit employee) but I did get the bus up to road speeds.

We are five days into our training and I understand that we'll be in the bus every day from here on out. In case you're wondering about the stuff in my hands, we have a trash bag, transfers, paper towels and my left over drink from lunch. Also I'm wearing my camera bag over my shoulder because I wanted to get this picture for you. I'm the only geek in my class who wanted his picture with the sign. Call it silly, but I want to remember the first day I drove a bus in traffic (and didn't kill anyone) before the incident.

Have a great weekend!

Adventures in Blue Polyester - episode 2 "The Warm Up"

2008-08-28T04:19:00.000-07:00

Today my class is going to learn all the steps that go into preparing a bus for service. We'll do a pre-trip inspection, start up the bus, adjust the seat and mirrors, set the signs and basically do everything except leave the garage. This should be a very interesting day and all of it in preparation for tomorrow when we drive a bus in traffic for the first time. GAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHH!

Honestly our instructors are really great and if they say we can handle it, then I'm pretty sure we'll be fine but it still makes me all wormy inside.

By the way if you're interested I found the pic above at the Unofficial Winnipeg Transit Online page. (http://www.uwto.org/transit_history2.html) The page link goes to a great history of Winnipeg Transit going back to 1900.

Adventures in Blue Polyester - episode 1 The Brotherhood

2008-08-27T04:21:00.000-07:00

Ok that's a really grandious title for a mundane morning column. But I'm going to go with it anyway. Day two was really interesting. We learned how they decided how many buses are used to fill the demand along a certain route and how we can change those same patterns to use the same resources in other locations. For example if you have a single route that needs 20 buses and you need to add a route, how can you free up some buses. I can say I wouldn't want that job but it is interesting to note all the math and logic that goes into those decisions.

Today though I wanted to talk to you about the Brotherhood aspect of the job. This is the first job I've had where a uniform is required (other than working at McDonald's in my teen years). The interesting thing I've noticed is how much we all look alike and how comforting that is. Before I put on the polyester I would walk along the street near my house and the buses would pass me without any notice. When I wear the polyester, they all wave at me.

Now saying we all look similar is one thing but us trainees are welcome but not necessarily accepted yet. When we eat in the canteen, the other drivers are sizing us up and testing us out each day. Call it a low level hazing maybe but it's nothing serious. Just some good natured ribbing but it's interesting to me that although we are in the same job they want to remind us that we are not the same. Or maybe I'm reading too much into it. Maybe the other drivers are just trying to figure out if we will last or if we'll turn tail and scamper away when the going gets tough.

In either case, I'm looking forward to day 3 and to completion of my training when we get to drive the bus again. Well off to the classroom for one more day. Smile at a bus driver folks!

First Day as a Bus Driver

2008-08-25T18:27:00.001-07:00

Day one. Here I am in my transit uniform for my first day of training as a Winnipeg City Bus Driver. If I look tired it's because I had trouble sleeping last night. I always have trouble sleeping before starting something new. My mind gets going and I can't shut it off. The good news is I made it through and I'll sleep soundly tonight I'm certain.

Today they gave us a tour of the Transit garage and general orientation, we got our transit IDs and the "secret decoder ring". Here's a tidbit to watch for next time you take a bus, every single bus driver's punch is unique. They use this to punch the transfers and various time cards and believe it or not there is a punch card record kept in your file so that if someone shows up with a commendation (or God forbid a complaint) and all they have is a transfer and a bus route the transit office will go through 1000+ punches to find out who it is. I know...I was as shocked as you. LOL. :)

You know you're in trouble when...One of the side effects of my not sleeping is that I get to spend an hour or so in that dreamy state when you aren't quite awake but not deep asleep either. You know when your subconsious mind starts to play tricks on you. So there I was half asleep when I began to dream that I was deadheading a bus to the depot and I stopped at one of the official "comfort" stops to relieve myself. I left my bus but failed to secure it against boarding. When I returned a moment later I had people on the bus that I had to explain that this bus wasn't on any route, but simply going straight to the depot. Man not even one day on the job and I'm dreaming about it already.

So I'll see you on the bus as we cruise in the diamond lane!

Live from the Rock Folk Festival

2008-08-05T11:13:00.000-07:00

I'm getting ready to head out to Red Rock Ontario this weekend to play the Live from the Rock festival. This is a gem of a festival right on the shores of Lake Superior. Here is the complete lineup for the festival

Billy Manzik
http://profile.myspace.com/billymanzik

Blues Element
http://www.blueselement.com/
http://profile.myspace.com/blueselement

The Carruthers Brothers
http://profile.myspace.com/thecarruthersbrothersband

Cosmic Granola
http://www.cosmicgranola.com
http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=106899641

Dala
http://www.dalagirls.com/
http://www.myspace.com/dalagirls

Daisy Chain

David Ross MacDonald
http://www.davidrossmacdonald.com/
http://profile.myspace.com/davidrossmacdonald

Dean McTaggart
http://www.deanmctaggart.com/
http://profile.myspace.com/deanmctaggart

Donny Parenteau
http://www.donnyparenteau.net/
http://profile.myspace.com/donnyparenteau

Doug McArthur
http://www.dougmcarthur.ca/

Duo-Twang
http://www.duotwang.com/
http://www.myspace.com/duotwang

Heather Blush Trio
http://heatherblush.com/
http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendID=84214744

Heather Dale
http://www.heatherdale.com/

Flamenco Caravan
www.flamencocaravan.ca/

Jim Hamilton

Kevin Sands & The Earth Kings
www.theearthkings.com

Manitoba Hal
http://www.manitobahal.com/ http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=67381934

Norm Sponchia

Oh Susanna
http://www.ohsusannamusic.com/
http://www.myspace.com/ohsusannamusic

Pat Robitaille
http://www.patrobitaille.com/
http://www.myspace.com/patrobitaille

Poor Angus
http://www.poorangus.com/

Rodney Larson

Stephen Fearing
http://www.stephenfearing.com/
http://www.myspace.com/stephenfearing

The Gruff
http://www.thegruff.com/home.htm
http://www.myspace.com/thegruffband

The Knackers

Tim Williams
http://www.telusplanet.net/public/belzners/main.htm

Vance Gilbert
http://www.vancegilbert.com/ http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendID=51246457

Wild Turkeys
http://www.thewildturkeyoutfit.com/homePage.html

If you want more info, click on the pic above or just go to www.livefromtherock.com

Islands Folk Festival wrap up

2008-07-27T17:42:00.000-07:00

I just finished playing the Islands Folk Festival in Duncan BC and I gotta tell you this is a jewel of a festival. If you are ever near Vancouver Island in July you absolutely must plan to attend. 7 stages, vendors, over 150 musicians! All held on a wonderful farm property that has camping and festival all together. It's a green weekend with no cars in sight and just great vibes all around.

I had a fantastic time and the shows were great. I got to re-connect with Gary Preston who is a wonderful harmonica player and keyboardist who played on my first demo 20yrs ago. I got to enjoy Yvonne Hernandez and had the surprise of seeing Jeremy Walsh who was supporting Yvonne. I met the Eccleston's and got to hang out with Valdy. What a wonderful weekend. Thanks Cowichan Folk Society!!!

CBC Interview from New York Ukulele Festival

2008-04-13T11:55:00.001-07:00

While I was down in New York at the New York Ukulele Festival, Mimi Tompkins from CBC radio interviewed me for The World This Weekend. Here is the entire ukulele feature edited from the CBC podcast archive. The show was broadcast on April 12th, 2008.

http://www.manitobahal.com/twtw_20080412_clip.mp3

A Canadian in New York

2008-04-05T04:03:00.000-07:00

Alright! Well here I am in New York city walking around and taking pics. Yesterday I had breakfast at Times Square and wandered the theatre district stopping at Madamme Toussaud's wax museum. Then I wandered down 7th and found the RENT Theatre. Then I hopped the subway and spent the rest of the day down in Greenwich Village wandering into Alphabet City.

I have a ton of pics of the New York Ukulele Festival as well as of the places along the way on this trip and I'll post a few here once I sort through my camera load of shots. Hope you're having a great week(end)!

Little Box of Sadness

2008-03-28T08:14:00.001-07:00

For the folks in New York I've put a compilation of my uke tunes together into this CD. Little Box of Sadness features 8 ukulele tracks that are brand new. 4 from my new release "Worn Out Shoes" and 4 that were recorded for this project.

The track list includes 30 Odd Days, Built for Comfort, Cost of the Blues, Let Me In, Call of Angels, Automobile, Somebody On Your Bond and Line & Pole. All the tracks on this CD are fully produced with band and support vocals and the result is a lively fun blues Uke CD that belongs in every ukulele fans collection. Here's what some fans had to say about the cuts...

"NOW you're speakin' MY language! Great song. I may have to cover it." Craig Roberston

"I usually don't care for the whole blues uke thing, but this really works for me. Very cool, Hal! A+ thanks for giving it to us." J Boy Shyne

"...everything is just overwhelmingly polished and professional and just GOOD." Jodi Matthews

"Expressive voice, dirty rhythm (dirty in a good way, of course...). Love it." Amber Nash

This collection is full of hot licks and interesting arrangements. I know you'll love it. See me at the NY Uke fest April 3-6 to get your copy or at the Sidewalk Cafe in the east village as part of the Ukulele Caravan on April 4th at 4pm.

Got Uke?

New York Uke Festival is calling

2008-03-18T09:10:00.000-07:00

So it just over two weeks today that the New York Ukulele Festival kicks off with it's large list of artists and vendors. I'm so excited to be going. This will be my first time back in New York since my 2001 appearance in the Ukulele Hall of Fame expo. I'm looking forward to reaquainting myself with the many uke players I met down there and getting aquainted with the city as well! I will be there for 10 days overall and it will probably hardly be enough.

Checklist:
Hang out at the Uke Fest
Drink beer
Play ukulele
See a Broadway show (? maybe)
Eat at some famous NY deli's

In the spirit of the ukulele obsession here is a new track I just recorded. Cost of the Blues

This Friday night I'm at the Watson Arts Center in Dauphin MB opening for The Cruzeros. The last time I saw these fellas was at Lance Loree's wedding in Nanton Alberta. What a party that was!

Got the Winter blahs

2008-03-06T13:25:00.000-08:00

I'm here on tour in Ontario and the storms are blowing. There was a major storm on Tuesday night and another one scheduled for Friday night. Sure wish it was over already. The forecast looks good though for catching my flight home on Sunday. Wahoooo!

The show in Peterborough went well. There was a small but very attractive crowd at the Spill and we gave them a mess of blues to warm a cold winter night. Too much fun.

OH I got news. I just got notified that I have reached #56 on the Reverbnation website for blues. Check out my tunes at www.reverbnation.com/halbrolunddemos

Holy Cr@p Montreal Rocks!

2008-02-29T21:39:00.000-08:00

I had an amazing time at Adair Hall tonight and my new CD was released to the world in fine form. The crowd at the small Ste Anne de Bellvue hall were a hoot to play for and the Second Life audience (about 52 people) were wild and vocal as always. Ian Gray (Montian Gilruth) was a terrific opener and had the tech backbone humming. All in all it was a great night! Bree took loads of pictures and I'll upload them here when I get them via e-mail. Sunday it's off to Toronto! YAY!

The Real Me

The Second Life Me

Worn Out Shoes release party

2008-02-26T06:11:00.000-08:00

Well the countdown is on. My new CD, Worn Out Shoes, will be released on Friday Feb 29th at Adair Hall in Montreal. I'm very excited about this release party for a couple of reasons.

#1) I'm excited because it is the official send off of this great recording into the world. I wrote this collection of songs over the past several years and they reflect my belief that love will triumph despite our flawed human nature.

#2) The release party will be physically in Montreal but will also happen in the virtual 3D world of Second Life (www.secondlife.com). The House of Flames will be hosting the performance in Second Life where people from around the globe will be able to attend the release party. This CD has been subscribed to by people from Germany, Japan, the US, all over Canada. It will be so great to include many of them in the release party despite our geographic distance!

After the release party I'll be playing a small number of shows in Southern Ontario. Please check my tour schedule to see if I'll be in your neck of the woods soon.

Live on CJOB Radio 8:40am

2008-02-15T08:31:00.001-08:00

This morning I appeared on CJOB Radio's Morning Show with Larry Updike. The show was great even though it was -31c when I went to catch the bus to Grant Park Shopping Center to meet up with Larry. You can hear the show here. http://64.141.104.34/20080215_08.wma.

What you have to do is start it playing and then fast forward to around 8:40am. It's a one hour block of their broadcast. I'm on from about 8:40am to 8:45am. What can I say? It's a living!

* Update - Feb 26 -You can download just the 5 min segment here.

CD Release Party Feb 29th

2008-02-07T09:47:00.001-08:00

I am pleased to announce the release date of my new CD Worn Out Shoes. The show will be live from Montreal Canada and also happen simultaniously in Second Life at the House of Flames. This CD features myself along with roots icon David Essig (who produced the CD) and Shelly Braun on the upright bass. It was recorded at David's Watershed Studios on Protection Island British Columbia.

The 10 tracks are my most intimate writing to date and I have to admit there were moments during the recording of this CD that I was scared and reluctant to continue. The result is a CD that is a captivating blend of confidence and vulnerability and highlights my skills as a writer and performer of original material. The songs range from stories about roadside chicken joints to failed relationships and pure red blooded lust. The undercurrent of the CD is a quiet faith that love will win out and that the real heroism of a relationship isn't whether it survives but that fragile broken people even try to love at all. Amen.

Okay so you want the CD now, where can you get it. For now you can pre-order it online at www.manitobahal.com/cd-prebuy.htm. Once it's out I'll have it online at CD-Baby.com and also available through iTunes and other download sites just like my current CD Come the Ruination.

In Second Life there are kiosks placed in various locations and at everyone of my shows where you can download the CD either by individual songs or as a whole including the artwork all for the currency of the metaverse - the linden.

New Virtual Music Video

2008-02-05T11:46:00.000-08:00

Hey there friends and fans. Here is my latest virtual music video. This is my avatar Forsythe Whitfield performing my song 30 Odd Days in the virtual world of Second Life. www.secondlife.com.

The song was recorded live in one take using the Boss RC-20XL Loopstation. Then I captured all the animation in Second Life and edited the video together using Windows Movie Maker software. Let me know if you like it okay?

New CD pre-selling now

2008-01-07T09:57:00.000-08:00

I am currently in the process of pre-selling my newest CD. The as yet unnamed CD was produced and recorded by David Essig on Protection Island in BC. I have put together a page all about the CD along with a way to audition the tracks before you commit. It can be found here.

Along with advance autographed copies of the project, early buyers will also have their names listed in the liner notes to thank them publically for their support.

*April 19, 2008: I have closed the pre-selling link because the CD is available for sale from the Music Page. Thanks for your interest!