January 25th, 2003 - The Queens, Nanaimo, BC:

One of my favourite gigs on the island... The Queens is quite a small club, but it's always packed, the management is good to us, and it rocks! This time out is no different...

I spend the day with my son, Mathew, in Parksville while the others get up early for the long 20 minute drive into Nanaimo... yeah... actually, I get up early to spend the day with Mathew while everyone else gets to sleep off their hangovers... mine is in full-force, having an extended after-party in my head... but seriously it's great having some time for a visit... soundcheck isn't until 5pm...

We're done setting up well before the house-tech, Richard, arrives, so we decide to go have dinner... there's this place, right beside the Queens... I can't remember the name... something like Armando's... but if you ever get the chance and you're in Nanaimo, check it out - amazing burgers, stir-frys, and one of the best salads I've ever had (even if it did cost over $7.00)...

We finish soundcheck, head back to the hotel, watch a little hockey and it's time for the gig... it's sold out and very hot in the club... unfortunately, especially for those of us who didn't bring a change of clothes, we're playing two sets tonight... I could wring my shirt out after the first set I guess... a great night and lots of partying afterwards in the band room downstairs... my hangover's gone, so I join in... again... I always try to help out if I can... yeah, it's a hard job, but somebody's gotta do it... but everything must come to an end, and we're catching an early ferry, (can't miss the SuperBowl can we?)... We've got a week off next week, then we're at Jake's Crossing in Port Moody (Feb. 8th). Until then... Marc.