First Blog Entry!

Hi everyone!

Well, time for my first post on this blogspot -

For those of you who don't know yet, I am living in the UK with my parents! The place where I live is quite rural and definitely not what I'm used to, haha. Back home the general hospital was only a few blocks away, now its a couple villages away :O! I'm living in Northern Yorkshire close to the town of Selby, nearer to village of Camblesforth (don't worry, that's why google maps exist!)
The place I'm living in is a converted barn, it is all refurnished and strangely modern, but very nice. I am sure the family we switched places with is getting along nicely in our own home back in PG!

When we arrived into Manchester airport we were all a little bewildered and pretty tired, but we eventually made our way to the Jaguar that our swap family left for us. From the airport we drove to my Grandma's home at Ryland house, a quaint, 50 and over, apartment building. My Grandmother is an amazing lady, she is turning 91 next weekend, and she still has the charisma to argue with me over who's doing the dishes (oh Grandma!). It was great to be with her again. The next morning we went to Monday mass ( I never thought there was Monday mass!), there was surprisingly quite the turnout. After mass we wandered back to Ryland house and joined everyone in the lounge (every morning at Ryland house they have tea and toast (at the fine cost of 30p) for everyone in the building, its a great thing for the old folks who can't really go out much into the village!).

From Ryland house (thanks to the British navigating system in the Jag) we drove off into the country and found our way out to Hardenshaw lane where we will be living for the next 10 months.
We arrived at our new home only to discover that the place has a security code and that the alarm had started to go off, so there we were, 3 Canadians fresh off the plane, down a country lane, in jolly old England, with the alarm going off, thinking " oh no, the local police will be here any second :S". Mum and I rushed to the nearest house and knocked on the door, and sure enough a friendly Yorkshire woman opened the door and after a brief explanation of what was happening she said "Ah! You're the new neighbours!?? Well come in, come in, would you all like a cup o' tea?" (knowing that the alarm was going off). Typical. But awesome!

All is well though now! We're just getting over jet-lag and getting used to the lifestyle. My parents and I are slowly but surely getting our bearings straight.

Its great to be legal too! And its great to have the Black Dog (local pub) just a few doors down :D!

Cheers everyone!

-Benedict

Our Leroy Bell on X Factor???

I was surfing the TV and started watching the X Factor tonight, October 6th....
For our first Coldsnap Festival, a look back here
 http://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=leroy+bell+coldsnap+festival+youtube&docid=1060744988183&mid=17F43724BBACDD2E60F517F43724BBACDD2E60F5&FORM=VIRE1# , and a subsequent, I booked the highly talented and wonderful Leroy Bell, a singer songwriter from Seattle. He was very well received here in Prince George and Doug Cox the AD of Vancouver Island Musicfest also had him perform.
We all loved the man, he was great to deal with and a gem onstage.

I am staggered...started watching the X Faxtor and who is part of the last 64 but Leroy!
....most of me is absolutely horrified that the super talented Leroy tried out for this..why?????????
Part of me absolutely applauds him for having the guts, the gall to do it when
he IS already so highly regarded. The man sells out the Triple Door in Seattle, has had Elton John record one of his songs...I cannot get my head around it at all!
Welll..he got thru tonight to the final 32 and is in the Over 30's category....

He should not have to go this route.....I am at a loss for words here...I am
sure he knows what he is doing but I am shaking my head.
We leave for the UK October 22nd for the year so we will now have to
try and watch online from there!!!!
I guess I hope he wins it....there goes a man who is so confident enough in himself that he would attempt this market....sure has nerve...

Cannot believe this...check him out www.leroybell.com

here are some reviews on the man..

A Change is Coming

author: Sherry Bouris

Last summer I watched your band open for B.B. King, you weren't even through the first song and I was so diggin it.  I bought this CD and you autographed it for me.  A Change is Coming takes me to "back in the day", you know, the 70's, even though it is right here and now today. I have turned all of my friends onto your work, they all love you. Keep it comin' LeRoy.  Thanks, Sherry
Read more...
                        

A Change is Coming

author: Dick Mynen

We first saw LeRoy Bell perform in Prince George, British Columbia at the Cold Snap music festival  and we were literally blown away. The 2 Sides to Every Story quickly became our most played CD of 2008 and so we were eagerly awaiting the latest CD. I must say that A Change is Coming is fantastic!! I was unsure how LeRoy could 'change' it up without losing the magic but this is what makes new music so wonderful as this latest CD has made us even bigger fans. Thanks LeRoy.
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He leaves me wanting more!

author: Kristin M Kuhn

The first time I heard Leroy Bell, I waspurchasing a pair of shoes @ Nordstrom and he was playing, for a promotion.  I ended up staying and watching him for almost an hour. His sound and lyrics pulled me in.  His message is so personal, but yet something so many can relate to.  When I play his CD, my mood instantly picks up and everything seem 100% better. This is his 3rd CD I've purchased, and can't wait to see and hear him soon.