My mom's friend was diagnosed with glioblastoma years ago, so when the news broke in summer '16 it was devastating. It usually works very quickly, and I think Gord had a long survival post diagnosis. It wasn't easy for her, and I am sure it wasn't easy for him or those close to him. I'm glad he is no longer suffering.
When he passed away, an American friend of mine sent a note sending his condolences and it finally hit me why this was so upsetting.
Gord was an incredible man, no question. He will go down in history being more important to being a legitimate and selfless contributor to the fabric of our common culture, and indeed our nation, than most people realize. He was two parts perfect mirror, four parts playful courage, and two parts crystal ball. He made it cool to be weird. He made it manly to be a poet (even introduced me to Al Purdy by making a film about "in the qunite hotel"). He was the first white guy I have EVER seen give a flying eff about Indigenous people in our country. His final tour was reminiscent of Terry Fox's run across the country... except he MADE IT.
But his music.
That tour and these last 18 months or so... revealed how much his music had been involved with so many of our lives. All the stories that have come out of this has been incredible. It has been surreal, like watching the trap set by some secret government mass control experiment decades ago finally spring itself to better than intended effect.
And I realized how many of those stories were there through such formative years for me. Back to care free camping trips, road trips, and University... back to when things were still so good with my ex. Back when life was still easy and perfect. Those days ARE gone. But not that far gone... right? It was only a few years ago... oh it's been 10 years almost? Damn. Am I really getting that old? ... And every time I hear those chords, I am right back there, except I am not.
When I got the news that Gord was going to be done, it made me so angry that he was going to be done, because he was just getting started dammit! But I realized that anger was just masking the realization that I had to confront the above truth. That it was time to honour the distance between my youth and now, and let go. No one seemed ready to let go.
I think that's why last summer was so hard, why that tour was so cathartic to be present at, and why last week's news was really just a soft farewell in my heart.
Farewell Gord, Wacapi Omani. Thanks for giving me so much to look up to. To put REAL questions and goals in my mind. You're one of my heroes and I thank you for so much you gave with never even knowing who I am. I will do my best to honour the stake you've so boldly and beautifully posted on the peak, I promise.
We need more men like you, not fewer.
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These are my favourite lyrics of Gord's. Spoken during the ceremony he received his spirit name.
"Soon. In a few days. couple weeks... there's 150 years that Canada wants to celebrate. And I will personally then celebrate the BIRTH of our country. Celebrate the next 150 years. It'll take 150 years, or seven generations, to heal the wound of the residential school. To become a country and truly call ourselves Canada. It means we must become one. We must walk down a path of reconciliation from now on. Together. And forever. This is the first day of forever. The greatest day of my life. The greatest day of ALL of our lives. Thank you."
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Originally Posted by Biff
If the NHL ever needs an enema, Edmonton is where they'll insert it.
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Rockin' 4 Dollars
The Tragically Hip Edition
8-10 bands each playing their favorite HIP song and original material.
Wednesday January 10th, 2017
@ Broken City
8PM
A lot of people asked for this one to happen. Let's come together and celebrate the music of Gord Downie and The Tragically Hip.
I'm in Vegas right now and I wore my Hip Gord silhouette t-shirt today. Got a lot of comments from presumably fellow Canadians. The last one some guy in an Oilers t-shirt said "Nice shirt", I replied with "Thanks! I can't say the same though!"
Orbit The Fox - Bobcaygeon
TBA - Fiddler's Green
The Dark Canucks - Grace too
Fogey and the Buck - New Orleans is sinking
Ten Minute Detour - Long Time Running
Rondel Roberts - Courage
Less Miserable - In View
Yunnk - Boots or Hearts
The Northern Beauties - Ahead By Century
My wife bought me both the doc and the final concert for Christmas. Finally sat down to watch the concert today, and happily the mix is pretty great. Sounds wonderful in 5.1.
My wife bought me both the doc and the final concert for Christmas. Finally sat down to watch the concert today, and happily the mix is pretty great. Sounds wonderful in 5.1.
I saw the doc in the theatre when it was first released, and it's easily one of the best music docs I've ever seen. It was an emotional tidal wave. There wasn't a dry eye in the house, and many people had to sit there for a few minutes at the end and collect themselves before getting up and leaving (myself included). Amazing film.
Last edited by direwolf; 01-13-2018 at 01:49 PM.
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My wife bought me both the doc and the final concert for Christmas. Finally sat down to watch the concert today, and happily the mix is pretty great. Sounds wonderful in 5.1.
I wasn't aware these were available on blu-ray yet. I will definitely be buying them.
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A few weeks after crashing head-first into the boards (denting his helmet and being unable to move for a little while) following a hit from behind by Bob Errey, the Calgary Flames player explains:
"I was like Christ, lying on my back, with my arms outstretched, crucified"
-- Frank Musil - Early January 1994
Orbit The Fox - Bobcaygeon
TBA - Fiddler's Green
The Dark Canucks - Grace too
Fogey and the Buck - New Orleans is sinking
Ten Minute Detour - Long Time Running
Rondel Roberts - Courage
Less Miserable - In View
Yunnk - Boots or Hearts
The Northern Beauties - Ahead By Century
I still can't bring myself to watch either the doc or the final concert. Just happy knowing I have them on my PVR for one day down the road.
I haven't seen the documentary, but I put the final concert on every now and then to watch and listen to the odd song. It's on my PVR and probably won't leave anytime soon. It's not really sad, but is sombre at times.
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But living an honest life - for that you need the truth. That's the other thing I learned that day, that the truth, however shocking or uncomfortable, leads to liberation and dignity. -Ricky Gervais
