Condensed Milt

It is what it is

2008-06-27T21:50:00.000-07:00

The words of Todd Bertuzzi are becoming a catch phrase in this part of the woods. Part defiance, part resignation, part reality, and part of the family. Today is my father's birthday. Except Dad, or the part of his ashes we cast to the sea, is no longer with us. He is resting or floating in English Bay and beyond.
My father was a wandering soul in life; he may have floated over to China. Or maybe he only made it half way- vacationing in Hawaii.

Hell, he could stay at the time share we still have yet to sell.

For a time in the sixties, he was a travelling salesman . Did he get mad and quit the steady job? Was his famous temper part of the reason for the departure? It is what it is.

He had a family of seven to support. This is a concept that is hard to fathom today. For whatever reason, he was usually gone. On the road. Home on the weekend. The Weekend Dad. Late for supper, with a friend invited at the last minute. My theory is that he needed his space. He loved his family and my mother, but he needed his space.

My mother was a quick-change artist. We grew to like our chicken white and dry, because well.....it is what it is. When your husband is late, and you keep the kids waiting for him to be home for dinner, the breast of a chicken can get a little dry.

When he came home, Dad would head to the yard to mow the lawn, or "build". He helped me build something for Scouts. I found out at the race, that he had put it together backwards. I was a bit ashamed, as he had done all the work, and here it was backwards. But we ran that race, and came in second. Backwards!

In later years, he would putter and build and buy things he didn't need, but most importantly, he would volunteer. He volunteered for the Association for the Advancement of Retired People, or AARP. One day, he went to the Governor of Washington's office to present the Governor with an AARP card, as he had just turned 50, my age. My dad had a heart attack in the Governor's office and died. But the story does not end there.

But because he had lobbied for cardiac resusitation equipment for the Governor's office, the aides were able to bring my father back to life. A defibrillator later and he was volunteering more, making sure that this type of emergency equipment was available in every senior's center in many counties in Washington. He lobbied for senior's rights and care,and even had a law named after him in Washington state, The Fred Mills Act.

In the end, which was two years ago, he drowned in his own body with a condition they call congestive heart failure. You fill up with fluids, and your heart becomes too strained to pump the blood, so the fluids continue to build, and slowly you drown. In your own body. Your own worst enemy. It is what it is.

Today is his birthday, which is a day of celebration. So I celebrate his life, as I would not be here without him. I didn't always like him, I even thought at a time that I didn't love him; unfortunately, there were times I did not respect him.

But we are a complicated beast. There were also many times I did admire him. And I will always love him, and I grew to respect the part of the whole of the man I called my father.

We are not perfect, and he wasn't perfect, but he was perfectly my dad. And in the end, I love him. It is what it is.

Kirby Ferguson is Goodie Bag

2008-06-17T13:28:00.000-07:00

http://www.goodiebag.tv/episodes/10_the_fag_bomb.htm

Check out Kirby Ferguson, another very funny Canadian ready to enter the US and change the way you laugh.

Happy Fathers Day

2008-06-15T10:23:00.000-07:00

Some traditions never die

even though we all will someday

there will always be funny hats

and someone to take pictures

of Sons and Fathers wearing funny hats

and that is a good thing

Happy Fathers Day, Dad

I raise a virtual glass of Ballantynes to you today.

Cheers

Your # 5 son

Happy Fathers Day

2008-06-15T10:16:00.000-07:00

Fatherhood

the only job that requires no training

should definitely require training

wheels

pants

Should definitely require pants

29 years of waving his hands in the air

2008-06-01T08:26:00.000-07:00

The Angry Young Man is no longer as angry or young. Like a fine wine, aged and mellow, corked, turning to vinegar, the sediment rests on the bottom of the bottle until it is stirred, not shaken. Hardstock 08 was everything and more, raising more money for Scott than even we thought we could (almost $25,000). But on a deeper level, it brought people out from the shadows and grips of the computer and television screens and lawn mowing, and bathroom cleaning that is their everyday life. People were given the opportunity to reconnect with friends in a far more personal way than even Facebook. I say that without sarcasm, as Facebook is quite amazing in its ability to reconnect, and to bring together people who really don't know each other. We now have friends, and Facebook friends. And often, the Facebook friends become real friends. This is the real gift and purpose of these shows. Networking sounds like something that only guys in suits can do; in reality, we all are linked in so many ways. Often we just need a small push in the right direction, and then the magic happens.

Holy Hardstock!!! Another Extravaganza

2008-05-14T23:00:00.001-07:00

Ladies and Gentlemen

Its the Return of the Hardstock Spirit

as we present:

Holy Hardstock!!!

An Evening of Music and Inspiration for Scott Harding

Friday June 13 at Christ Church Cathedral

corner of Burrard and Georgia

Featuring:

The Jazzmanian Devils

Jim Byrnes

Simon Kendall

Something about Reptiles

John Korsrud

Brian W. Roy Goble (from the Subhumans)

I Braineater

Sandy Scofield

Trevor Jones Arntzen

Beatrice Smartt

Bernie Boulanger

Clare Love

Bob's Lounge

Doors 7:00

Music 7:30

All Ages Welcome

Advance tickets $25.00 minimum donation

At the door $35.00 minimum donation

100% of net proceeds to The Scotty Hard Trust

Tickets available soon at Christ Church Cathedral Parish Office, Noise2Go, Red Cat Records, and Zulu Records.

Inspiration

2008-05-03T10:59:00.000-07:00

Inspiration from the word meaning breath, to breathe life into a person, an idea, breathing a dream, it comes alive, ITS ALIVE!!!!, Wait Jean, I'll strike a match....Meter still on and gas escaping.....describes our precarious balance.
Oxygen, for the breathing, for the blood, in the sky, all around us, within us. Fire, the spark, the flame, that warms and ignites, Wild Vision and fuel and that burning sensation.
Wait Jean, I'll strike a match.....Heart still beating and breath escaping.....the events of the last two weeks have now slowed....from 40 emails a day to 5. We raised just under $25,000 for the Scotty Hard Trust at Hardstock, still working out the details. The next show is Friday June 13 at Christ Church Cathedral- Hardstock presents HardLove- is there any other kind worth having?
Artist submissions still welcome. Contact me at whiterockstar@shaw.ca

Kinnie Starr-just added to Hardstock 08

2008-04-19T16:52:00.000-07:00

Who sounds like sade greets neil young while kissing plug one on the lipsand listening to outkast ... who just HAPPENED to be thinking about debbieharry?????

KINNIE STARR!

I am proud to announce the additioni of Kinnie Starr to the lineup of Hardstock 08.

To learn more about Kinnie read on:BIO: from www.kinniestarr.com

The Kinnie Starr you already know: MC-singer-poet-actress-beatnik -musicmaker - who was born in Calgary, became her adult self in Vancouver,and was raised on heavy doses of Zeppelin, Sade and De La Soul's DaisyAge.... Discovered she could kick it live one night in NYC (1993), when anopen mic called, and the crowd carried her through three blazing encores("edgy... enchanting," said the New Yorker).... Tidy (Canada 1996; U.S.A.1997) was the first of Starr's four records - her new one is calledAnything, but we'll get there in a minute - which drew critical acclaim fromall corners."An artistic, feminist, angry, well-articulated rant of the highest order,"said allmusic.com; "raw, funny and definitely an original," added the Globeand Mail.... Kinnie was a lead player in the alt-indie film Down and Out with the Dolls(filmed in 2001), directed by Kurt Voss (of Sugar Town fame).... Two yearslater, she lived and worked in Las Vegas, singing for Zumanity, Cirque duSoleil's controversial cabaret production.... and she found a new,comfortable home at MapleMusic Recordings releasing Sun Again in 2003- plusa publishing deal with Last Gang Publishing and their partner company Olé, …the same year Kinnie earned a Juno nomination for Best New Artist.... Alsoin 2003, Starr co-wrote Carmen Rizzo's Beso, a song for the soundtrack ofthe acclaimed film Thirteen... In 2004, U.K. production wizards Hybrid andBlackwatch cut body-rocking club remixes of Starr's song Alright (ReleaseRecords), a Sun Again stand-out.... She performed at the 2005 NationalAboriginal Achievement Awards… Kinnie has toured Japan, the U.K., the U.S.A.and Canada in the past five years - which brings us up to speed with thehere and now.... "A lot of people who love hip hop love what I do, because I'm doing my ownshit," she says. "I try to uphold the old-school MC mentality when I'm onstage - taking the crowd along with me, rather than just playing songs atthem. That's more like a rock 'n' roll mentality, to just slam the songsout."But wait, there's more: Starr has another body of work in progress, acollection of four-track songs that she's self-producing on a well-used,much-loved Tascam 564. "They're quite sparse, sort of Joni Mitchell-ish, butthey're not really folk songs, they're tipped towards jazz and old-schoolMotown ballads." She has twenty songs in progress, and hopes to releaseten - when they're ready.... Kinnie has started writing for the nativepublication Spirit Magazine, and recently interviewed Daniel Lanois for its upcoming spring issue....

"I write a lot, and very quickly these days, offthe seat of my pants," she adds. "If I'm driving I'll pull over, or I'lltake my sketchbook out and put in on my lap while I drive if I can't pullover."

To listen to her music: http://www.myspace.com/kinniestarr

Open the Doors and See all the People

2008-04-14T21:17:00.000-07:00

Now that's how to dress!

One of the great by products of incredible misfortune is that this kind of news attracts back friends that you may have lost touch with over the years. Such is the case with my buddy above, who was motivated to contact me to help our Scotty, and hopefully come out to the coast to see the incredible lineup we have put together for Hardstock 08 at the commodore on April 25.

Bamff

2008-04-07T00:21:00.000-07:00

Bamff was and is the musical creation of Danice McLeod, one of the original U-J3RK5, "the seminal Vancouver artrock band, including Ian Wallace, Rodney Graham and Jeff Wall.

I have not listened to Bamff for some time. One of my favourite U-J3RK5 songs was "Marnie" about the Hitchcock movie. Marnie. Marnie. MARNIE. Cue the psycho violins. Like the movie, I mean. Shower scene. You know. There was always a Tippie Hedron vibe to Bamff but warmer, sexier. coy and kittenish. The sly smile as she named a song Little Bush ( for her cat).

Bamff was also notable for Scott Harding's contribution as main partner from 1983 through 1988. Bamff was also the start of his recording career. Scott got his initial studio engineer training with Ron Obvious at Bamff's studio, Crevice Tool Clean Sound while "Come Outside" was being recorded and mixed and assisted with the 2nd album under Greg and Glen Reely, John Switzer and other engineers/producers. Scott also played on the 2nd. and UNRELEASED Bamff album,"Frankly I Deserve Nine Socks".

Danice is one of those Vancouver icons that deserve more ink than they received, not only for her music, but for her contribution to the start of Scott's career. He was in both videos "Crevice Tool" and "50 Miles" from that album, and both were on REGULAR rotation at Much Music in 1987. He was credited for co-writing the songs “Crevice Tool” and “Pony Hips” and full credit for his instrumental “Endless Discretion” all on Bamff’s 1st album “Come Outside”, released on Mo Da Mu in 1987.

I remember when she asked me whether I would mind if she covered a Rhythm Mission song I had written, Words Fail Me. I barely remember the song, but maybe I'll find a copy of it somewhere. Now it's my memory that fails me, not just the words. One thing I will never forget is going out to dinner with Danice, and I forget what triggered it, but Danice offered to buy a round of Spanish coffees for the table. It was a perfect gesture of kindness. I could use one now.

Today's mantra is Maggots Love The Meat

2008-04-05T09:12:00.000-07:00

Blog-a-hol-ic: One who creates blogs like Angelina Jolie collects children. I have a new blog to let you know about: http://www.maggotslovethemeat.com/

It is rather self-evident. No head scratching needed. Its my new slogan of the week.

I could post pictures of the human variation of this particular phenomena; I am not above this type of thing on a primal level. But evolution provided me with a human brain, as opposed to a reptile brain, so I choose to focus on the points of greatest leverage.

Today's post on http://www.maggotslovethemeat.com/ is "Never did the flesh fly ask why". When the choice is meat or quantum theory or the existence of God, the flesh fly enjoys their prey; they honor their host with their presence, and when the meat is gone, they move on.

Hardstock 08 A special benefit for Scotty Hard

2008-04-04T21:34:00.000-07:00

Visit www.hardstockforscottyhard.org

for more information.

Sometimes you have to wear the stretchy pants...

2008-03-30T11:52:00.000-07:00

Mexican wrestler bobblehead has the shakes
like Parkinsons for toys
Collect them all:
Cancer Boy Bobblehead
Heart Attack Dense Bobblehead
Transgendered Barbie Bobblehead
The possibilities abound, and shake a bit too
For a good shake, read Stanley Elkin's The Magic Kingdom.

"Abandoned by his wife and devastated by the death of his twelve-year old son, Eddy Bale becomes obsessed with the plight of terminally ill children and develops a plan to provide a "last hurrah" dream vacation for seven children who will never grow-up. Eddy and his four dysfunctional chaperones journey to the entertainment capital of America—Disney World. Once they arrive, a series of absurdities characteristic of an Elkin novel—including a freak snowstorm and a run-in with a vengeful Mickey Mouse—transform Eddy's idealistic wish into a fantastic nightmare." http://www.centerforbookculture.org/dalkey/backlist/elkin.html#magickingdom

Since the blurb above does no justice for the novel, we present the NY Times hyphenated dictum:
"As always, Mr. Elkin plays the crazy music of his prose—takes off at the hint of a theme on his soaring funky riffs and jazzy blue notes. Not only among Elkin's best works of fiction, but a comedy that cuts so many ways that it leaves us bleeding with laughter."—Christopher Lehmann-Haupt, New York Times
It is Sunday, and I'm in a weird Sunday kind of mood. Drove the family to the airport for their Sun vacation get-away at 4:30 (OUCH) took the dogs with me to minimize the noise for the rest of the sleeping household, returned about 5:30 and we all went back to bed. Thought it was 11:00 so I woke feeling refreshed, only to discover it was really 9:00. Now I feel the lack of sleep. Read the newspaper, scanning for jobs, and the inevitable collapse of our local hockey nightmare. Still waiting for the call from unnamed rock group to "seal' the deal for the first of two big benefits for Mr. Hard.
Some people give without asking. Right away. No questions asked. Special shout out to the Pointed Sticks, Frank Frink, Swank, Dark Blue World, Sandy Scofield, John Korsrud, Clare Love, etc. Others, you call and immediately its What can I do, of course, I'm in.
And still others...what are they thinking...I don't know because they aren't talking. I'm getting the Silent treatment. Doctor, there's a radius clause in my contract (that sounds like something you should get checked out). I hear its bad for him but did I tell you about my aunt who had a dog with wheels for legs.....the list goes on.
Hey Les, it's all just bizness, don't cha know. Well, excuse me, but there is a prince of guy who would give any one of you Schmohawks the button down shirt off his back. And he is lying on his back in a hospital in Bellevue with a parade of friends bringing him a picnic because he deserves a parade. So do something.
I'm talking one night....a few hours....and we have the opportunity of raising what some of us earn in a year for a guy that has no health insurance, the SOB's responsible have no insurance, and ....and.....Calm down, Les. It's only Chinatown.
It's all going to work out. We'll have the shows. We'll have the picnic. We'll even have a parade, for chrissakes. I'll be the one out in front. You'll know its me because I'm the one giving my head a shake.

Put your feet(s) up

2008-03-29T14:01:00.000-07:00

This weekend we are hosting a housefull of relatives, combined with the usual dogs, which is why I am recommending putting your feet up and reading a good book.

I am reading Our Ecstatic Days by Steve Erickson at the moment. Normally I have a few books on the go. Other books in the rotation include Your Brain on Music, and the new Eckhart Tolle.

I am waiting on the confirmation (fingers crossed) of a major rock act to headline the first of two benefits for Scotty Hard I am trying to organize.

Hopefully we will hear soon, but no sense worrying. I have a backup plan in mind, as well. And a backup to that. Once again, no sense in worrying. Like the girl says, "And how's that working for you?"

I've found through my own personal research, and the countless advice of countless experts, that worrying doesn't accomplish much more than adding stress. It doesn't solve the issue, or further along the progress. It is not strategic thinking; it is non-strategic thinking. So put your feet(s) up. Relax. Read a good book, (or blog!) Take a walk. Pray for Scotty's recovery. Pray for your own recovery if applicable. Enjoy a glass of Pepperwood old vine Zinfandel -very nice.

Listen to NPR. Write a poem. Learn French. Go for a workout. Eat lunch. Just don't worry.

There are much better ways to use time wisely or unwisely.

The Devils in my Heart

2008-03-26T22:11:00.000-07:00

"The Only Devils in this World are those running around inside our own hearts, and that is where all our battles should be fought." -Mahatma Ghandi

Three weeks after having my heart attack, I was waiting in a small closet sized room in St. Paul's hospital wearing one of those hospital gowns that leave you feeling cold and vulnerable from the draft coming in the back of the gown. I was waiting for someone to tell me what happened next.

Just before seven in the morning I arrived and had been given an injection of a radioactive dye. This is so they could determine the extent of damage to my heart from the heart attack. I was told to go out to eat a small meal, and come back in about an hour or so.

After my return, I lay down on a table, while a great white machine hovered over my head. My body was transported back and forth under the machine, while it performed its medical magic like a shaman holding his hands over my body chanting and waving a smoking brush.

My next stop was waiting in a closet sized room prior to undergoing the actual stress test, which involves being hooked up with tiny electrodes and many wires attached on your chest. You are then asked to run on a treadmill, until your heartrate reaches what the technicians deem to be a satisfactory result.

Two nurses, a male nurse from South Asia, and a female nurse from Germany, bartered over who would do the honors of shaving my chest hairs to attach the electrodes. The female nurse won the bet. She entered the curtained room and asked me to drop my robe, so that she may shave parts of my chest.

Using a disposable Bic, she dry shaved a few patches and attached the sticky pads of the monitors. I told her that I was a bit nervous about taking the test since I had my heart attack only about three weeks prior.

She said, "You should not worry. This is why you had the heart attack. You have to learn to let go, and go with the flow. I can see you are too young to have had this heart attack. What you have had is a little temper tantrum in your heart. Now you must learn to not worry, to relax, and just go with the flow."

It is amazing how messages are sent to us, and surely, I was receiving one at that moment.

There were devils running round my heart, jumping up and down, having little life threatening temper tantrums, acting like the nihilistic spoiled inner child they were. Anything just to get a little attention. Except this time, the teenage wasteland, the punkrock deathwish had gone too far.

She ushered me out of the closet into the exercise room, and I began the treadmill test for another cardiac nurse. About 5 minutes into the exercise, I started to feel faint.

When asked if I wanted to stop the test, I said yes. What happened next I would not wish on my worst enemy.

Because I had not been able to physically finish the test, I was injected with a drug to artificially induce my heart to reach certain rates. Who doesn't love being injected with unknown drugs?

I'm joking, but at that moment, I did not have much of a choice. The thought that I could say no did not enter my lexicon.

What happened next was worse than having a heart attack, at least for me. I felt tightness in my chest,and the sensation of someone kicking me hard again and again in the stomach. At the same time, my head felt like it was about to explode. It was a Jack Bauer moment, and all I had in the way of relief was the ticking clock. Just three minutes and we will give you the antidote.

I was groaning and swearing and there was no going with the flow here. Just one minute and we will give you antidote. AAAAAAAH! JUST TWENTY SECONDS AND WE WILL GIVE YOU THE ANTIDOTE. IT WILL REACT VERY FAST, AND YOU WILL BE BACK TO NORMAL.

Except after the 20 seconds, I didn't feel normal. So then she said, you can take a break now. Go and have yourself a coffee, and I guarantee you will feel better.

Well, I had that coffee, and I followed it with a decidedly non-cardiac breakfast of chorizo sausage and eggs. I definitely went with that flow.

Ten days later I was given the good news by my cardiologist that I was lucky, as the tests showed that my heart had good flow, and I had suffered no significant damage from the acute myocardial infarction I had experienced in Atlanta.

The devils in my heart were not running my world that day. And the way to keep them from running, was to follow the advice of that small Germanic nurse, who told me to let go, and go with the flow.

Originally posted Sept 25 2007.

In the six months since I wrote this, I made a few changes. To the post, and in my life. My body has never been in such good shape and fitness in all my life. I do push ups and sit ups and work out 3-4 times a week. I am back working, and most importantly though, I am back playing. Not music yet. But soon. My love of writing has returned, and beauty of family and friends has helped to remind me daily of the possibilities.

If the Globe is warming, why am I freezing my ass?

2008-03-25T22:57:00.000-07:00

Out for a spring walk in the frozen north, a buggy full of boy. The sky is heroic, the shadows intrigue. What is the shelf life on a boy these days?

After my recall scare last year, I can fully attest to my products integrity. Made for comfort and speed.

I have five blogs on the go at present, three dogs and wife and child and a brother in law to boot.

But I'm learning to relax and go with the flow. Flipping the channels the other night my daughter and I came across that doctor show with Billy Ray Cyrus and some lady was continually interrupting, talking over the action with a blow by blow description of what it was that was going on. Turns out it was the Vision channel. Now both my daughter and I though the Vision Channel was an end of the dial Christian end of the world channel; turns out that its a channel for the blind.

The voice over tells them what they are watching, as the dialogues reveal the story. Just that day I had lunch with an old friend who teaches music to the deaf. Did you hear me? Music for the deaf. It is a transformative world we live in. There have been many changes in the past years; while the media feeds us a steady diet of fear and frolic, with a dash of toxic Brittany, life slowly changes before our eyes. Only there is no voiceover telling us what is going on.

So stop for a moment. Breathe. Clear your throat, cough up the hairball, and step right up. Its the greatest show on earth, or the only show we got. So love the one you're with MORE or learn to love a stranger until they are no longer a stranger, but a friend. Transform and you can extend your shelf life.

Things have changed...

2008-03-24T23:56:00.000-07:00

A worried man with a worried mind

No one in front of me and nothing behind

There's a woman on my lap and she's drinking champagne

Got white skin, got assassin's eyes

I'm looking up into the sapphire tinted skies

I'm well dressed, waiting on the last train

Standing on the gallows with my head in a noose

Any minute now I'm expecting all hell to break loose

Chorus

People are crazy and times are strange

I'm locked in tight, I'm out of range

I used to care, but things have changed

This place ain't doing me any good

I'm in the wrong town, I should be in Hollywood

Just for a second there I thought I saw something move

Gonna take dancing lessons do the jitterbug rag

Ain't no shortcuts, gonna dress in drag

Only a fool in here would think he's got anything to prove

Lot of water under the bridge, Lot of other stuff too

Don't get up gentlemen, I'm only passing through

People are crazy and times are strange

I'm locked in tight I'm out of range

I used to care but things have changed.

I've been walking forty miles of bad road

If the bible is right, the world will explode

I've been trying to get as far away from myself as I can

Some things are too hot to touch

The human mind can only stand so much

You can't win with a losing hand

Feel like falling in love with the first woman I meet

Putting her in a wheel barrow and wheeling her down the street

People are crazy and times are strange

I'm locked in tight I'm out of range

I used to care but things have changed.

I hurt easy, I just don't show it

You can hurt someone and not even know it

The next sixty seconds could be like an eternity

Gonna get low down, gonna fly high

All the truth in the world adds up to one big lie

I'm in love with a woman who don't even appeal to me

Mr. Jinx and Miss Lucy, they jumped in the lake

I'm not that eager to make a mistake

People are crazy and times are strange

I'm locked in tight, I'm out of range

I used to care, but things have changed

Happy Easter Mom

2008-03-23T08:46:00.000-07:00

My beautiful mother is 87, and she is happy in her new home in Atlanta, where my sister and family live. It was a difficult decision moving her there, as she was not really sure it was where she wanted to be. But in our hearts we all knew it was right. And just like all the moves we made growing up, it has blossomed, just like beautiful flowers in spring.

She told me she loves her "new home". That means alot. She is spending the day with my sisters family, which also means alot, as she can visit with a bustling family with kids and grandkids (and for her great grandkids), and of course a dog.

I'm not sure she is so fond of dogs, (outwardly), but they love her. So I'm thinking that somewhere in her is a dog lover that never allowed herself to be a dog lover.

That may come in time. After all, she's only 87, and has a bit of living to do.

www.workhardprayhardscottyhard.com

2008-03-23T08:42:00.000-07:00

We now return to our regular programming. Sort of. For over a month now, condensedmilt.blogspot.com has been dedicated to Scotty Hard. It will continue to send shout outs and messages of love for the man. But I have also set up a dedicated blog for Scott that is www.workhardprayhardscottyhard.com

Today I talk about blood brothers for life. Go there and read it.
All my best to my best.

Send Your Cards and Letters

2008-03-22T23:50:00.000-07:00

Hi Dennis,

I think Scott really appreciates getting mail--he mentioned it today. If anyone wants to write, just address it to Scott Harding c/o Bellevue Hospital, 462 First Avenue, New York, NY 10016. Right now he's in room 6W-46B.

Love,
Xtina

Keep those cards and emails coming. I appreciate the feedback. Scott does too. Send him your words of love.

Happy Easter.
Dennis

A Message of Love from NYC

2008-03-21T08:04:00.000-07:00

To Friends Of Scotty Hard

Scott continues his journey through the different floors and care units of the Bellevue Hospital system. New teams of doctors and care givers come and go as Scott moves through different phases of recovery. The Trauma Center sawbone guys are gone now for the most part. As you all know two weeks ago Scott was on his way to the rehab phase on the 6th floor. With the spinal reconstructive surgery begginning to heal, therapists even got Scott sitting up twice in a chair for brief periods. Although an enormous effort, Scott was excited and heartened to finally get out of the sack for the first time since the crash of February 16. Unfortunately, with new surroundings and new exposure to increased floor traffic, Scott contracted a nasty case of pneumonia by weeks end. This setback caused the doctors to bring Scott back up to the Trauma Center ward on the 10th floor last Friday afternoon where he could be closely monitored during treatment. After a rough 5 days of antibiotics and other medicines, by Tuesday this week Scott had regained enough lost ground and strength to leave the Trauma Center once more, this time to the 16th floor rehab center, where he continues his recovery for the time being.

As always, his spirit and good humor abound no matter what. He has a good appetite, but with the injury having so many challenges, he's also trying to abide as closely as he can by the doctors wishes to be careful with his intake. The staff in general has become much more strict in monitoring all his intake, even down to the mil of water. To this end he had to take the unusually harsh measure of instructing his friends to stop bringing too much fruit and other foods since the Jamaican nurse told him "You cannaht have de place lookin' like a mahketplayce mon". Scotty does what he's told!

In the meantime, the incredible and bewildering swell of support for Scott's situation continues. The Concert For Scotty Hard at the Highline Ballroom on Wednesday night was an unprecedented success. Organized by Liz Penta and Peter Costello, there is and will be no end to the gratitude I feel towards their effort and skill. They built some house, and the people came. Amazing. Sold out, jammed, full of love and powerful music, with a 2 hour lineup around the block waiting for people to exit so more could come in. In 20 years of living in New York City, I've never witnessed a more exciting phenomenon then the coming together of the musicians community and their friends, family, industry colleagues, and the ever-essential fans to help a fellow music maker in trouble, the kind of trouble every one of us risks everyday by living and operating without a safety net of affordable health care. The jazz avante garde community especially. One of the strangely beautiful things is that, like a deepest musical wish come true, it's all somehow happening completely outside the box, commercial free, no front page pictures of bitter tears of pain, frustration and despair. Pain breeding beauty. Musician or not, each in his or her own way seems to be finding the inspiration to make a difference by re-connecting with their passion for their own work. The question begs "why isn't life more like this all the time?" The answer is, because of this concert, the reasons behind it, I think it is.

For those of you unable to be at this concert, don't worry, everyone there knew that the place was jammed full of love way beyond what the walls could hold. This event was well documented both audio and visual, and will be shared with everyone when the work is done.

There's a long way to go, but it's a good road.

Leif.

Message from Xtina

2008-03-20T16:59:00.000-07:00

hi dennis,

I was just with Scotty and helped move him back to the rehab unit on the 6th floor! He's really happy. Even got the same room (and it's a lot nicer than that other one with 4 beds) so things are looking up. Looks like we're back on track!

Best,

Christina Campanella

Hard Tips from Cyber Buds

2008-03-19T22:25:00.000-07:00

http://www.pitchforkmedia.com/article/news/49358-friends-host-benefit-for-injured-producer-scotty-hard

John Medeski, Billy Martin, John Scofield, DJ Logic, DJ Olive, Sexmob, Antibalas, Marco Benevento, Vijay Iyer, Eric Krasno + Unite in Benefit for the Scotty Hard Trust
Posted: 2008-03-05

A very cool blog by a guy named Hyphen (-)
http://siebethissen.blogspot.com/2008/03/scotty-hard-benefit-mixtape.html

http://www.allaboutjazz.com/php/news.php?id=17449

DOWNTOWN NYC JAZZ LUMINARIES OFFER HEARTFELT PERFORMANCES IN BENEFIT FOR FELLOW MUSICIAN AND PRODUCER SCOTT HARDING AT HIGHLINE BALLROOM NYC ON MARCH 19, 2008
JOHN MEDESKI, BILLY MARTIN, JOHN SCOFIELD, DJ LOGIC, DJ OLIVE, SEXMOB, ANTIBALAS, MARCO BENEVENTO, VIJAY IYER, ERIC KRASNO and more UNITE TO HELP RAISE MEDICAL FUNDS FOR BELOVED RECORD PRODUCER
NEW YORK, NY - March 5, 2008 - For Immediate Release - Downtown NYC luminaries unite for one astonishing benefit concert at the Highline Ballroom in New York City on Wednesday, March 19 , 2008 , coming to the aid of beloved record producer Scott Harding and the Scotty Hard Trust.
At 3am on Friday, February 15, music producer Scott Harding was a victim of a car crash in which he was a passenger of a car service, returning home from a late night mixing session. The cab he was riding in was broadsided by a stolen car; the impact crushed Harding's T5 vertebrae, leaving him partially paralyzed. Scott Harding's condition is serious and like many dedicated musicians he is without health insurance and is facing very large medical and legal fees.
The short term need to raise cash in order to handle Scott Harding's affairs is very real. His friends and the dedicated musical community that Scott has long been a part of quickly united, offering performances in the form of a benefit concert for The Scotty Hard Trust, a special account that has been set up by friends of Harding which helps to handle Scott's short-term financial needs through private monetary donations.
The confirmed lineup for the Scott Harding benefit concert includes: John Medeski, Billy Martin, John Scofield, DJ Logic, DJ Olive, Bill Laswell, Eric Krasno, Neal Evans, Marco Benevento, Joe Russo, Antibalas, Sex Mob, John Ellis, Michael Blake, Vijay Iyer, Tommy Hamilton, Kevin Kendrick, and many more.
Vancouver native and longtime New Yorker Scott Harding has a long and flourishing career as a producer and engineer in the hip-hop and jazz genres. His list of production credits includes the Grammy award winning Chris Rock CD Never Scared and an impressive artist list that includes: Charlie Hunter, Tricky, Crooklyn Dub, Dubadelic, Bailter Space, DJ Logic, Badar Ali Khan, Sex Mob, Medeski Martin & Wood, Material, Soul Crib, Michael Blake, Chris Brown, Jon Spencer Blues Explosion, Wu-Tang Clan, Vernon Reid, Dirty Dozen Brass Band, PM Dawn, De La Soul, Boogie Down Productions, Brand New Heavies, Prince Paul, Biz Markie, Chubb Rock, Teo Macero , to name but a few.
A BENEFIT FOR SCOTT HARDINGWEDNESDAY MARCH 19, 2008 @ Highline Ballroom, NYC431 w. 16th Street NY NY 10011$35 GA / $50 VIP BALCONY / $65 VIP FLOORDoors open at 8pm / Concert at 9pm
VIP Tickets include reserved seating and an after show VIP meet & greet with the performing musicians.
For ticket information please visit: highlineballroom.com 100% of the concert proceeds will be going to The Scotty Hard Trust.
Personal donations can be made directly to the Scotty Hard Trust, payable to “The Scotty Hard Trust" and sent c/o Heesok Chang, 970 Kent Ave #401, Brooklyn NY 11205
Visit website Medeski, Martin & Wood at All About Jazz.
Posted by: Allegro Media

From Martin Medeski and Wood website:

http://mmw.net/

A Benefit for the Scotty Hard Trust Music producer and engineer Scott Harding was recently partly paralyzed in a hit and run car accident in Brooklyn, NY. Not only was Scott the victim of a horrendous crime, without any health insurance he is facing some very large bills.Friends of Scotty Hard, including John Medeski and Billy Martin, will be hosting a benefit concert on March 19th at the Highline Ballroom in NYC starting at 9PM. Tickets are $35 for General Admission, $50 VIP Balcony, and $65 VIP Floor. VIP tickets include reserved seating and an after show meet & greet with many of the musicians. 100% of proceeds will be going to the Scotty Hard Trust. Click HERE to purchase tickets.Featured Artists: John Scofield, John Medeski, Billy Martin, Bill Laswell, Vernon Reid, Eric Krasno, Neal Evans, Marco Benevento, Joe Russo, Antibalas, Sex Mob, DJ Olive, DJ Logic, John Ellis, Michael Blake, Vijay Iyer, Tommy Hamilton, Kevin Kendrick, Melvin Gibbs, Leif Arntzen, and more. For more info please click HERE

From Steven Bernstein of SEXMOB:

http://www.stevenbernstein.net/sexmobmain/

Updates and downgrades

2008-03-18T22:55:00.000-07:00

Scott has been moved to the 16th floor of the hospital, an observation ward, which is a downgrade from the ICU, where he had been the past few days.The congestion in his chest (due to the early onset of pneumonia) seems to be receding in response to the antibiotics. He's doing much better than 2-3 days ago when he had a fever. His temperature is at or near normal and he's in good spirits. We expect him back on the 6th floor to take up his rehab in the next few days.

Canadians who want to donate can send their cheques ( yes, that's how we spell it) in Canadian funds. Every bit helps.

The preferred method of donation is by check. Checks should be made out to Scotty Hard Trust

Mail checks to:

Scotty Hard Trust Fund

Heesok Chang

970 Kent Ave. #401

Brooklyn, NY 11205

1987 Scott and Mark in Toronto

2008-03-15T23:04:00.000-07:00

Mr. Endless Discretion and the Dooger in Hogtown in the late Eighties. The Final Mission of Rhythm and final lineup was Scott, myself, Sgt. Dad himself (Warren Hunter), Ross Hales, and Mark Douglas (The Dooger) on keyboards.

We recorded Heavy Metal Beehive and The Crank at Bazile Studios (Barney Bentall) hanging with longtime Barney guitarist Colin Nairne, as he regaled us with tales of shooting fish in Florida.

Scott produced the sessions, and soon after left for NYC and his budding hip-hop recording career. There he met up with other expatriate Canadians like Bob Coulter, Michael Blake, and Leif Arntzen. Later Heesok Chang took a professorship at Vassars, and brother Brian also stayed for awhile in the shadow of the Twin Towers, until he found gainful employ in the so-called Velvet Prison-his words, not mine.

Our young boyish Boy in Brooklyn metamorphed into the man we now know as Scotty Hard. Doesn't look so hard in this photo, does he? Well, to those who know and love him, the only hard part is his resolve to make his way, carving the roast that is NYC thick like they do at Lugers.

Hard in his resolve to recover from this horrible setback. And we remain hard in our support and prayers and good thoughts.