Day 2-Canada's Capital Region: Gatineau/Ottawa

**In previous blog post I espoused free-market values. Since then, I have undergone an internal audit of my politics and have now realized that well-regulated capitalism with an extensive social welfare net is the way to go**

Montreal is a black hole. It took us three attempts to actually leave the city yesterday. We needed to pick up equipment, gas money, and drop off a key to a locked out roommate.

We then listened to the Talking Heads and drove to Gatineau! Gatineau was confusing to all of us Americans who were confused by the geography. Why are there all these drunk 18 year olds? Why are the signs in French? Why can’t we make a right turn on red? Oh we must be in Quebec.

*CORRECTION: IT IS ONLY MONTREAL WHERE ONE CAN'T MAKE A TURN ON RED. This explains why everyone behind us was honking at us at red lights.*

There were so many cop cars in Gatineau. Also there were so many drunk kids running around yelling and slipping and getting into fights. Also so many cop cars! From an urban systems background, Gatineau development seemed to hinge on liquor laws and the region's proximity to Ottawa. 

We played at Le Troquiet, which is a really nice bar! Weird Canada put on the show and everyone was really nice and awesome! We were so stunned by everyone's niceness we are considering setting up in Ottawa. 

This is my cousin Ostap, we got hamburgers before the Notta Comet/GIRL ARM/BONNIE DOON show.

 This is Phil. He did old school psychedelic projections with oil and dye like they did in the sixties. I talked with him about his art but didn't have the gumption to ask to try making trippy shapes on screen.

Here is our merch! We sold our first CD. We have patches, shirts, tapes, and CDs! If you ask Crawford nicely he can give you a Notta Comet stick and poke.

This is me and Boyan, my other cousin, he came to the show and hosted us at his house. We ate bagels at 3am and talked about how animals reproduce. According to Crawford to Boyan, chickens do some filthy things to make babies.

GIRL ARM!

Eli wore my Black Flag t-shirt to drum in. It felt intimate like watching an ex-lover's wear your flannel or sweatpants or retainer.

BONNIE DOON! Jangly surf-punk native to Ottawa. The lead singer had a luchador mask! They were bilingual on stage and made a joke about pooping oneself and poutine which I needed to ask them about after the show. We talked about St-Henri punk shows and I mainly discussed the one show I went to were I got kicked in the face without bringing up the fact I got kicked in the face at that show.

I leave you with this photo of Crawford playing the piano!

Toronto bound!

-Dan