[In which I’m thwarted by Santa Claus, hide out with Al Capone, and write a song about Beer, Lemons, and Herpes]

I’m just trying to fill my car up (hooray for low gas prices!) but my GPS refuses to get me to a street that isn’t blocked off. Every turn is blocked off by police and I start to wonder if coming to Moose Jaw was that wise. Moose Jaw is well known for one thing: a honeycomb of tunnels underneath that we’re lived in by the Chinese working population AND by Mr. Al Capone. Yes – this is a city of criminals and secret activities – and now all the streets are barricaded off. Greeeeat.

Turns out though that it’s the Brandon Santa Clause Parade. I eventually get to a gas station and then back to Bobby’s Place, where I’m playing. Bobby’s Place is one of my favourites – the last time I played was a Monday, so I’m looking forward to a Saturday – and I’m not disappointed – the place is packed. I set up and then head over to the hotel where I’ve got a room – at "Capone’s Hideaway" Motel. It’s not exactly a 5 star, but it’s a room and it’s much nicer than hiding out in a tunnel.

Bobby’s place is one of my favourites because I always get a place to stay, a nice crowd and a good meal with vegetables – for some reason, I always want vegetables here and they always make a mean salad.

I meet a nice guy who asks “are you related to Ted Hein?” “Yeah – he’s my dad.” Turns out he knows my Dad from a long time ago and lost track of him when he lived in Grand Prairie. Apparently my North of Nowhere poster cinched the deal since, according to him, nowhere is more like “North of Nowhere” than Grand Prairie.

Again, it’s a combo of a show for some and background music for others, but I have a pretty fun time. I make up a song for every set and the first suggestion is to write a song about “Beer, Lemons, and Herpes” – which is called, appropriately “Beer, Lemons and Herpes” – surely destined for my next album.

After a long time, we wrap up and I run back to Capone’s Hideaway. I need some sleep since tomorrow I have to drive like 82 hours towards Vancouver, where I’m playing in 2 days…