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It's a hot summer day on the expressway, and in the van, Nash, Alex and I are roasting. With traffic congestion it takes an hour and a half to go fifty kilometers. We're looking forward to this gig. This is the fourth time we've been at The Mermaid, and it's always a special event. Nash and I have a lot of friends in Hamilton, so you territorial bitches (in the doggie sense) better watch out. I am respected in the finest circles of society in this town. This is Hamilton after all. We arrive in town with time to spare so the first thing we do is head for the waterfront. This will be my romp for the day so I better enjoy it. After this, Nash and Alex will be in gig mode and there's not much I can do about that. At least I get to hang out at the club. While at the waterfront, Nash puts some stones into an empty plastic bottle then hurls it into the lake for me to fetch. After a few times of doing this, we start to attract a small crowd. This is not a crowd of humans on the shore, but a crowd of ducks, geese and those big buggers, swans, in the water, with me! I love swimming and I love fetching, but I really have my eye on the eight white swans surrounding me. All I want is my bottle and they're no more than thirty feet away and getting closer. With my mouth stuffed with this plastic bottle, I let out a bark of indignation, but the swans were not impressed with the sound of a dog gargling. The big one in front seems to be leading the group but then I see I'm between the gang and one lonely swan off to my right. As I'm swimming towards shore, a flock of Canada Geese swarms in. They don't see me in the water beneath them or perhaps there are so many swans around me the geese figure it's safe to land. It was like a re-enactment of the bombing of Pearl Harbour and I was the star attraction. The geese almost land on my head as the swans paddle away and I'm pissed off while holding a plastic bottle in my mouth. Some dignity in this town. We get to The Mermaid with plenty of time to set up and relax. Jim the manager tells Nash they've had problems with the health inspectors and I'm not allowed in the club. I'm tied to the patio railing with a bowl of water. I don't get no respect. Our friend Barb shows up early to take Nash and Alex out for dinner. I'm headed for the van. The presentation of Nosferatu and a second set of Nash Thrash is well received. It's a younger, newer crowd. There is a sincerity from people who have never been to a Nash show. Ryan, Jamie, Sean, Shannon and Bob all express their appreciation of the film as well as the Thrash material. Karl and Diana come up from Ithica New York. They've been at Nash shows before. This time they bring along their friend Jim, who's head of the Gary Numan North American Fan Club. There will soon be a link to this site on ours. The local celebrities in attendance include Lynn Bee-Bee, of whom you will be hearing more. Hamilton continues to be a growing buzz for the Nash affictionados. Now if I can only tell those swans my Ugly Duckling story. Digger |
