Just yesterday morning, they let me know you were gone.

December has been a very busy month. I continued to wear khakis despite forecasted showers. 100% cotton goes a long way. One noteworthy event included a large consumption of tea. Let's talk about that for a while.

Approximately four weeks ago I hosted a Magnum P.I. slash tea social at my house. My roommate was out that evening so I knew there would be no objection to watching Selleck at his finest. I decided to up the ante- so to speak- and add a few specialties to the table. Two words: cucumber sandwiches. These little goodies are like candy. Imagine this for a second: white bread, thick slabs of island farms cream cheese, and medium sized sliced english cucumber. But that's not all. The real trick to a tasy bite size cucumber sandwich is to go crustless. There is no need to have crusts and your guests will be thrilled to feel like high society, if only for two hours. In addition to the evening snacks, I also provided my favourite Murchey's Afternoon Blend English tea. It really is a winning combination.

Further to the success of my Magnum Tea initiative, a friend took it upon herself to throw her own little get together minus the Magnum. I attended the event and let me tell you something: she had the cucumber sandwiches just the way I like them. I invite all of you to trust your instincts and lose the crust. And while you're at it, throw a little Elvis Costello covering Cat Stevens on the stereo and see where the evening takes you.

This may be one of the best covers I have ever heard. Those who know me know I enjoy a good cover like a I enjoy a good game of checkers. This song will hit you where it hurts and push you in the right direction. "Sitting" has been my all time favourite song since 1998. Everything about it is brilliant. The verses, the chorus, the bridge. Take a listen. Then sit back and think about it. And then listen to it again. Elvis Costello certainly has my blessing. I love what he does with it.

Speaking of cover songs, a few nights ago I had the pleasure of blasting my own karaoke version of Mr. James Taylor's "Fire and Rain." I'm not too sure why I picked that song. Sometimes you just have to choose for the sake of choosing. I think I was secretly hoping my name wouldn't be called. But there it was. A microphone. A song. And Cam. To be perfectly honest, I absolutely loved it. I don't know how the rest of the crowd felt but what a feeling. Take that passion and make it happen. I invite all of you to take that song; that secret treasure and belt it out like you've never belted before.

A long December? Not really, just taking it one day at a time. Between khakis, tea, and karaoke I can honestly say I'm feeling pretty good about this month.

But I was just a kid.

It's November. Rainy, windy November. I recently posted an entry concerning the wearing of khakis or should I say- the non-wearing of khakis during these wet and cold months. Unfortunately, not even I could keep my hands off the crisp pair of khakis hanging in my dim lit closet. I had to wear them, rain or shine. And so I did. Perhaps it was my genuine desire to put the khakis to the test. To be honest, I had only assumed wearing khakis in wet weather would be detrimental to the khaki ensemble. Or maybe it was the fact that these pants- these wonderful pants are just too damn comfortable to be sitting unworn for months. And so I put them on: one leg at a time.

On this particular day last week, the puddles downtown were filled to the brim with dirty water and there appeared to be limited drainage on Hornby Street. A colleage and I decided to have lunch together at a nearby restaurant. For we both had a craving for soup and capricciosa pizza. It was a good idea. It was evident from the get-go that the khakis wouldn't do. It's the light colour and thin soft fabric that become problematic during this wet season. Funny though, those very same characteristics are what make them so damn great. Definitely summer pants.

The rainy weather finally subsided and a good thing too. Before we knew it- casual Friday had descended upon us. It was delightful. Good people. Decent chit chat. I was buzzed on caffeine opting for a double shot capuccino in quite a large cup. And it didn't get much better than that. For the first time ever, I listened to my ipod in the work place. How has it taken me this long to come around? I've observed others take this approach but never saw it as a Cam thing. I don't know if it was the capuccino or the fact that it was casual Friday but I felt like a million bucks. So what was I listening to you ask? Well as usual, my ipod was set to shuffle. One song that stood out- and in fact, I had to listen to twice in a row was Elton John's Candle in the Wind.

This song is quite tight. It was re-released in '97 with Princess Di's death and I still love it. So much emotion. Reflect on this for a second: “Your candle burned out long before your legend ever did.” This song hits all the right marks. And of course it does. That's why it's a classic. My earliest memory of this song was 1986. I was watching television and there it was, Elton John live in Sydney. I can still see visions of Elton donning that enormous white wig. I don't know if that image will ever disappear from my memory. And in a way, I'm perfectly okay with that.

In keeping with the mid to late eightees, my ipod then shuffled to another classic. Yes, you guess it: Kylie Minogue's cover “Loco-motion.” This song is particularly favourable given the fact that roller skating was a huge part of my eightees experience. The venue: Woodberry Park every Friday at four. They said I was the best. And I may have to agree with them on that one. I didn't do any of that fancy stuff like roller skate backwards. But I held my own. The only thing I needed was a bottle of fanta and a little loco-motion to get me going.

I am not the first to admit that November is my least favourite month. I never liked it. I've been saying this for at least twelve years. But luckily I have a few tricks to keep my attitude at bay. Really, all you need is music and caffeine: throw back a few strong coffees and throw on some eightees classics. Before you know it, you'll be chit chatting all the way to the bank. And if we do get a break in the rain. If we manage to see even a sliver of sunlight, don't be ashamed to strut your stuff in your highly coveted khakis. God knows I will.

Oh hi Dililah.

I just heard a song from a few years ago by the Plain White T's. Most of you will remember this piece. It's quiet. It's sentimental. And it hits the heart like a rock. One of the great features of “Hey Delilah” is the storyline of this mystery woman who ends up in New York. I have never been to New York. I hear great things. My roommate says NY is boring and expensive. I admire his statement's simplicity but I don't think I would agree.

I talked to a friend of mine on the phone recently. We usually agree on pretty much everything. We discussed the East Coast United States and how wonderful it must be. As mentioned earlier, I did in fact take a trip to Washington D.C., what a city. My friend and I relished the thought of a crisp fall day. And perhaps some Counting Crows “Long December” paving our way. Now I know what you're thinking. And you're right. The song's content leans more toward's the West Coast. But honestly, this song transcends any so-called boundaries. Favourite lyric thus far: “Drove up to hillside manner sometime after 2 am and talked a little while about the year... I guess the winter makes you laugh a little louder, talk a little slower about the things you could not show her.” Two great things: 1) It's an actual verse and not a bridge. And not only that, it's the third verse, which is even better. 2) It's talking about winter. And I'm OK with that. The only real downfall about winter is the fact that less khakis will be hitting the streets.

I've been contemplating the fate of the khaki over the last couple of weeks. I have talked to just about everyone about them. I have observed the common khaki among the masses. Unfortunately, the khaki's season is coming to an end. But only because the rain is setting in. A wise woman once told me you can't impress with salad. That's a lie, you can impress with salad. Well, she actually told me you can't wear khakis in the rain. And I couldn't agree with her more. It's the hem that is problematic coupled with the fact that the khaki looks much better in the sunshine. Has this stopped me from wearing man's greatest gift to pants? Absolutely. I couldn't fathom the idea of wearing khakis that are slightly damp at the hem. That just wouldn't be right.

So until further notice, or at least until it warms up- Cam as we know it will be khaki free. For all those khaki lovers out there: I suggest you do the same.

Here comes the rain again.

I have been drinking tea for years. The earliest memory of sipping a perfectly blended cup of english tea was in 1996. At this time, my mother would only drink Victoria Tea. She couldn't fathom the idea of drinking anything but the best. Well, the apple certainly did not fall from the tree. I grew up with the same tea principles. And with that- hosted some great tea socials. I have many pleasant memories of a crowded kitchen nook, shoulder to shoulder; pots of tea steeping as they should. Nothing beats pouring steaming hot tea from twelve inches above into a pre-milked cup. Nothing.

By 1997 tea had become institutionalized in the household. I took the lead and before we knew it- social teas consumed our weekday evenings. I do wonder sometimes, who in their right mind takes tea so seriously at the age of 17? Well, we did. My family housed two students that year and there was nothing funny about it. It was always english tea. It was always at 9 pm. And it was always good.

Drinking tea. There's more to it than just a fancy title. My favourite time of drinking tea is in the evening and preferrably during a thunder storm; the window slightly ajar and a spray of rain catching a light breeze. That is a perfect night. Nothing goes better with a perfect cup than a perfect song to capture the moment. The band: Pawnshop Diamond. The song: Merde Il Pleut. Everything about this song is good from the cafe chatter in the beginning to the sounds of an accordian- and everything in between.

I had the pleasure of watching Pawnshop Diamond peform a few days ago at the Wise Hall near Commercial Drive. As I entered the venue I quickly found lead singer, Katie and asked "Playing Merde Il Pleut?" Without hestitation she replied "absolutely." Done. I sat in my chair anticipating my favourite tune. And then it happened. The bass line hit and before we knew it we were immersed in song. In this particular set, they jazzed up the number and sped up the tempo. And I liked it. Let's not underestimate the french component too.

As of September 7th, I have returned to french classes after a two month break. As I mentioned in my introduction I do enjoy the sound of the french language. It's so classy. Even swearing in french is tasteful. Merde Il Pleut- what a song. Personally, I think there is something peaceful about the weatherman report: torrential rain. In fact, when it is a torrential rainstorm, j'aime le pluie. You can't run from the inevitable showers so why not have a good attitude about it?

Hilary Duff had the right idea. Her smash hit "Come Clean" became a chart-topper and the theme song to the successful reality television series, Laguna Beach. So what makes this song such a hit? Watch the video and find out. The only thing missing is a steeping hot cup of perfectly blended Merchies Brand Afternoon tea.

A few years ago I befriended a lovely girl who stated her likeness for songs about rain. "How about that Hilary Duff?" I inquired. And from that day on a simple text message or phone call ensued after every listen. I knew it was a great song. But I wanted it to be darker. So I took it upon myself to try and cover her song the way I felt it should be.

Unfortunately, my ability to play guitar is limited to seven chords. In layman's terms: I just don't have it. But that didn't stop me. And by 2007 I attempted to cover Hilary's song. Regrettably, I failed to capture the mood I was looking for. I needed talented musicians to take it to the dark side. Around this time I proposed the idea to a few members of Pawnshop Diamond. I asked Katie one evening after an extremely fun Christmas party. She had the biggest smile on her face and said "I'll consider it- but I will need to hear it first." Nina, the keyboardist didn't need to hear it at all, "I'm in!" she exclaimed. Who were these people? I loved it. Such a positive attitude and raw talent.

The initiative never did make it past the first stage. Perhaps one day I'll push for it. Maybe over a pot of steeped tea. Perhaps on a rainy day. Perhaps it will all come together just like the Beatles sang about so many years ago. In the meantime, I'm going to make myself a cup, listen to Merde Il Pleut and go about my evening. Et pourquoi l'enfer pas? I invite you to do the same.

Who wouldn't want moore?

Great songs are timeless- as are exclusive clubs of the nautical nature. I attended the Vancouver Rowing Club a few weeks ago for a wedding. And despite the fact that my navy blue dress pants were two sizes too small it turned out to be a pretty fun evening. We mingled in the trophy room for a good solid hour and discussed the merits of being a member of a good old fashioned rowing club. Besides the exclusivity of such a club- it's the cups and saucers that do it for me. Small and perfect. And a navy blue stripe evenly spaced between two anchors. Coffee never tasted so good.

I have always enjoyed a good cup of coffee. And by this I mean an actual cup. There really is nothing like sipping a hot cup of coffee from a perfect cup. And nothing goes better with a perfect cup than a perfect song from none other than Mandy Moore.

Whatever happened to Mandy? This is the age old question isn't it? It suprises me how much we still talk about her. The reality is there really hasn't been much released by this gem in years. So let's take a minute and step back. Who is Mandy? And why do I want to see Moore of her?

It was 1999 and the millienium was just around the corner. I received a phone call from a good friend inviting me to Puerta Vallarta, Mexico. This is where it all began. One evening before "hitting up the clubs" we were watching satellite television and I noticed this sixteen year old blonde girl driving a lime green Volkswagon Beetle singing the chorus missing you like candy. I became curios, was she going to be the next Christina? What about Britney? Would she be so lucky?

As I watched I made a decision to keep close tabs on pop music's latest sensation. I felt a connection with this one. I enjoyed her song "candy." It was routine and simple. It was predictable and did the job. I followed Mandy throughout the next few years only to discover a string of lousy hits and annoying choruses. I shrugged this off only hoping she would give me something I could use. Something I could write home about. Hell, something I could write her about.

It would be three years later when she finally delivered her masterpiece. 2002 was a great year for me too. Sit me down and ask me sometime (I will need two cups of coffee- mind the cup- and an hour of your time). The movie "A Walk to Remember" was released this year starring none other than Miss Mandy Moore herself. This movie blew me away. At the age of 22, I had fallen for Jane. She did it for me (except for the whole dying thing). The most memorable scene from this blockbuster is when she performs a play and sings the infamous "Only Hope."

This song will make you feel alive. Everything about this song does it for me. It always will. Take the time. Make some dinner and turn this shit up. You will not be disappointed. I was so impressed with Mandy's peformance I had to say something. It would be a crime not to let her know how I felt.

With the help of my colleages at work, I drafted a letter to Mandy. I kept the content simple and to the point. I acknowledged her performance of being "better than expected" and even asked if she wanted to have a chai latte sometime. With excitement running through my veins I quickly grabbed her address from the internet and went about my life.

A few weeks later I returned from a trip from Vancouver. As I entered the kitchen I couldn't help but notice all five of my roommates staring at me and not really saying anything. What was all the fuss about? I looked down at the collection of mail and there it was. On the top of the pile: "Mandy Moore Fanmail Return to Sender." It was slightly embarrassing and went downstairs to file it under "undeliverables." Despite the lack of communication with the star herself, I still managed to follow her career in both movies and in television.

From what I've heard she is a great performer. She has also revamped
her old songs and jazzed them up. My only hope is that you take a minute out of your day and listen to this latest version of candy. She's got great banter with the audience and sounds sweet too.

So where does that leave me? I never did get that chai latte with Mandy. And in a way, I'm O.K. with that. I can proudly say that I am impressed with her over the last ten years. It's true that great songs really are timeless. It's no coincidence that we are still talking about her today. If I had the balls I would draft a new letter today and let her know that we haven't forgotten about her. But maybe I'll leave that for another day...

... and I liked it.

The year was 2008. The month was May. And Katy Perry just released her smash hit "I Kissed a Girl." How is this song still so hot?

I remember when this song came out. The most memorable line being "... the taste of her cherry chapstick." It reminds me of a trip I took to Winnipeg four years ago. My roommate dropped me off at the airport a little late and thus, I was literally running for the final boarding call. Everyone gave me the worst look as I stumbled on to the plane.

There was a bleach blond woman that sat across the isle from me and one row ahead. From a distance of seven feet she looked like she had a pretty smile. All standards are out the window anyway when it comes to flying so it didn't really matter. I was interested. At least I thought I was. A couple hours into the flight I got up to use the washroom. As I passed her section she tugged on my vest and stated the rhetorical question "how about you sit next to me?" The seat between her and the window was empty and I glady accepted, and why the hell not?

Regrettably, I sat down and was hoping for some good old fashioned conversation. It became apparent that she was quite intoxicated and decided to kiss me (not in a good way) prefusely whether I liked it or not and insisted we engage in a full on public make-out session. And here I was, poor innocent Cam: "Ummmm why don't we get to know each other first? What's your favourite colour? I like blue." I will never forget two things: 1) the man who actually had the window seat. He was so awkward it was almost comical and 2) the taste of her strawberry chapstick. Thank goodness, for the sake of this song it was not cherry. So you can see my interest in this verse. The end of the story is a little less dramatic. I eventually returned to my seat and hid behind large pillars at baggage claim until someone picked her up.

I guess the only real difference between Katy Perry and myself is she actually liked it (the kiss and the cherry chapstick). The song and video are quite catchy. It's too bad her newer song "California Girls" kind of sucks. I haven't given up on Katy quite yet. I was just told about another hit she has, "Teenage Dream." It's actually kind of catchy (of course it pales in comparison to "I Kissed a Girl"). The video is quite the site. Take a look, but maybe not at work. So what does it all come down to? Katy needs to take a minute to sit and reflect. Let's see what else she's got. She needs to take the passion and make it happen, just like Irene Cara did so many years ago.

I'm a simple man.

The Grouch was on to something with his Simple Man track. My roommate and I have been referring to his verses since 2003. I like beans and rice. I'm a simple man, really. I like it. It's clear. It's catchy. And best of all, it's true.

It is with this mindset that I discuss, or rather I expand on khaki pants. As mentioned in an earlier post, khaki's are quite possibly the perfect pants given their versatility and comfort. Some may argue jeans are the way to go. And I would probably agree with them to some extent. But let's not forget about those 100% cotton khakis hanging in your closet.

Last weekend I was fortunate enough to assist a friend with his hunt for the perfect pair. Given the fact that I have become quite the khaki expert, I was thrilled at the idea of lending some support and adjustments to his khaki experience.

It was a warm day in late August and my friend had been struggling with an outfit for work. "Business casual" he kept saying, "that is what I need." I felt his pain. For it was not that long ago that I too needed to step up the business casual ensemble. In an interview, I asked him "when did you first feel the need to wear khakis?" to this, he responded with unbridled enthusiasm, "it was the time we had dinner- you in your khakis and that oxford cotton blue collared shirt; it was a perfect match between comfort and style." Well, you get the idea. He was hooked. Hooked on the khakis. And I was overjoyed to walk him through it.

We arrived at the mall and quickly scanned a few stores for deals. And then it happened. On entering one of the shops we were inundated with customer service representatives pushing a 30% off sale. Brilliant. We became excited and quickly ran to the back to see what we could get our hands on. My friend ended up trying on four pairs and purchasing two. I confirmed they were a good fit and gave him the two thumbs up. Luckily, the pants were perfect (one can always have a post-purchase alteration but it's not my cup of tea). Driven by my interest in these pants, I inquired to the cashier about his latest purchase, "tell me, is it the colour or the fabric that makes a khaki? and what's the deal with khakis anyways? " I have always wondered about this issue. I have conducted some research on the subject. And I will probably write about it at some point. But I am always interested to hear people's responses. After staring at me blankly for a few seconds, she answered with "that's an odd question... I think it's the fabric." Well, I don't know about that. But I appreciated her input.

A simple pant for a simple man. So it turns out The Grouch had it right all along, it really is all about good taste, expensive or not. So if I were you, I would crank that Bonnie Tyler, throw on a pair of crisp, clean khakis and call it a day.

I'm single. I'm not tied down. And I just bought a pair of khakis.

My love for khakis started at a young age. Unfortunately, I took an eight year hiatus. But in February 2010, I returned to the khaki world feeling more rejuvinated and confident than ever before. So why the transformation? And what's the deal with khakis?

A simple blog entry cannot possibly define such a perfect (un)pleated pant. Books have(nt) been written on the look and feel of the khaki movement. For what it's worth, I have decided to share my own take on these perfect pants and my own experience in purchasing a pair.

Few things inspire me more than a good pair of well-fitted khakis. I didn't realize this until I received an invite to a party via email from my good friend, Tiff: "This event is for the technology group- so it will mainly be dudes in khakis who, when in a celebratory mood like to discuss the merits of Windows 7 and what is taking IE 8.0 so long." Essentially, this email outlined some general principals guiding a "technie's" friday night attire. Somehow this resonated with me. I thought to myself, "though I don't fall under the definition of a techie, I do remember feeling like a million bucks in a pair of khakis. My interest in this technology group grew more than in the event itself. Who are these "dudes"? And who wears khakis? With that in mind, I confirmed my attendance and decided to purchase a pair for the party.

I spent the next day on the prowl. I was warned ahead of time, "be careful of the cut" and "mind the pleat." The cut is key. We must not forget that khakis are like ANY other pants. They need to look good in order to feel good. Don't be afraid to keep them a little above the waist. There is no shame in the khaki game. Discussions with friends revealed a harsh disliking for pleats among younger crowds. And since this is my generation, I opted for no pleats. Plus it's a cleaner look and I like that. Will pleats be the hottest thing since Rihanna's 2005 hit, "Pon de Replay?" It's very possible. But we're not there yet. So that's the end of that discussion. After taking three pairs into the dressing room I finally managed to find the one I liked. Or rather the khaki found me.

My big debut was the party. And it felt good. The versatility of the khaki is worth mentioning too. You could be having a power-brunch over some chilled melon or be playing a quick game of 9 hole golf with an associate. Regardless, nothing feels better on your skin than 100% cotton. Get out there. Get some khakis. You won't regret it.

Another day another dollar.

My roommate likes hiphop. It took me exactly two years to "come around." One evening while cooking some relatively bland chicken he asked if I would put on some music. At this time in my life I had exhausted my CD collection and wouldn't own an ipod for another four years. The idea of playing Radiohead the Bends one more time was enough to make any decent man shaky in the knees. Please note: the Bends is a brilliant album- and track 12 "Street Spirit" will always have a place in my heart- but you get the idea. So the roommate pipes up and throws on some of his "hiphop." I was pleased and admitted to him after dinner that I was mildly impressed with his choice of music.

My interest in the various genres of music can be traced back to Spring '98 with Britney Spears' smash hit "Baby One More Time." At first I hated it. And then I couldn't get enough. At the time I was living on a 30 mile long atoll in Micronesia. I had just spent an hour snorkeling (trunks optional) off the reef and was still salty from the sea. Perhaps it was the baby pink cover that first drew me in. Or maybe it was the sweet Louisiana voice that did it for me. Either way I was hooked and listened to the song three times on repeat with oversized headphones. It was a life changing moment. On my return to Canada in June I noticed everyone seemed to know who this girl(not quite a woman) was. I instantly let it be known that I was a fan. I recall submitting a write-up to our highschool newsletter. The entire submission was written in pop song verses by the likes of Jennifer Lopez, Jennifer Page, and of course Miss Britney Spears.

My interest in pop music still exists today and there are so many great ones out there. I would like to touch on at least one before I head out. Her name is Ke$ha and yes- you do know her. Desite being a bit of a gongshow she released a song last year with a pretty sweet bridge. For those unfamiliar with "Tik Tok" you are in for a real treat. To put it simply: this song is quite possibly the most annoying song ever, yet at the same time it leaves you wanting more. My first experience with this train wreck was in late summer 09. At first I was in shock. But then I became curious: Who is this ke$ha? And why is she on TV? And why am I watching it? I admit I wanted nothing to do with her for the first few days. But persistence pays off in the end and I can honestly say she may not have had me at hello but she now has me with that slightly awkward first verse. Take a listen- you'll be glad you did.

An Introduction

I learned a long time ago that simplicity is key. With that in mind I have decided to keep my posts simple and clean. I reside on the Westside of Vancouver, B.C. I have lived in this city for eight years. I have had the same roommate for many of these years. We have enjoyed many a late night discussion on everything under the sun including but not limited to the age old question about the purpose of our existence and why unicyles are so popular all of a sudden. We have been friend since '94 and enjoy competing with each other in such activities as tennis and making salads. I enjoy wearing khakis two to three times a week in the summer. I feel about 40 years old when I wear them and I love it. There's something to be said about strutting your stuff in 28 degree heat in 100% cotton khakis. I will blog about this. I will also blog about what's hot and what's not in terms of popular music. I may venture into other avenues. Or I may not.

So a few things about moi:

I take French class once a week because I think it's got a great sound- and it's totally oldschool and you can't fuck with that. I also feel I should embrace Canada's second official language. On that note I should mention I am somewhat of a Canadian nationalist. But only because I think it's so hot to be one right now. I took a trip to Montreal last summer and it was heaven. But I felt like a fool for not understanding a word.

I enjoy a good song. Scratch that. Reverse it. I love a good song. Further to this, nothing beats a good verse... except maybe a good bridge. Like many people, I enjoy deconstructing songs and taking a few minutes to see what they're all about. But really, it's difficult to find a good bridge out there. They are few and far between. But if you have the time and want to hear an amazing bridge- listen to Avril Lavigne's skater boy from 2002. This bridge will take you out on a Friday night and treat you right. Like you deserve.

I try not to discriminate against musical selections. There are some amazingly catchy songs from Britney Spears. I feel it is my duty to blog about those gems. And that's exactly what I'll do. I don't care for a bad attitude. I am a firm believer in looking at the good things in life. Like that story about Jesus and the dead dog: Even though the dog was rotting and was quite smelly- Jesus said something along the lines of "his teeth are remarkably clean." That's what it's all about. Clean teeth and a good attitude.

And finally, I am sure I will be blogging about the East Coast of the United States and everything it entails (that is of interest to me- namely lifestyles of the oldschool preppies and anything nautical including Nantucket). I recently took a trip to Washington D.C. and loved it. Take the trip. You can thank me later.

I hope you enjoy five minutes with Cam. For me it's all about putting it out there. So you dropped a couple of folky seventies verses at the office, I would want to hear about it. And in return, I hope you would too...