You left me walls and pictures and headed for the sea.

2005-06-21 at 12:45 p.m.

With the record-breaking unbearably hot and humid weather came NXNE.

See, James thought it was effin hot too.

You can look at Kim's diary for the first night's pictures.

To be brief, Elliot Brood was a bit too much death and not enough banjo, Luke Doucet was surprisingly disappointing, Craig Cardiff's songs makes you want to rip his clothes off (even though he looks vaguely like Son of Sam), Christine Fellows (John K. Samson's wife) has a very cute and possibly-Jewish xylophone player, and Shout Out Out Out Out will take over the world with their ironic 80's dance music that you just can't help laughing at, watch out for them.

Saturday (this was two Saturdays ago) was Mark Geary night with Martina and her very funny friend Claire. After that horrible Frames show and other events we were do for some greatness.

And greatness it was.

Why they scheduled him to play the Fox & Fiddle, capacity like 30, I don't know. We were jam-packed in the upstairs bar with, so we heard, "hundreds of Irish people lined up outside" waiting to get in. People actually shut their mouths and listened to him. The electric part of his acoustic/electric failed for the last two songs. No problem, played on his knees on the floor.

"I have ten brothers and sisters. My dad worked in a contraceptive factory." [drumroll]

His set ended and there were hugs given and plans made for meeting at the same pub as last year's NXNE after-show activities. We didn't walk this time but were put in a cab by Mark's tour manager (I think) after saying hello to hot Matt, the cd guy.

We got to the Duke of Gloucster after nearly dying with the cab driver. Mark asks us if we want something to drink, we say water beacuse it is 1am and still 40 C out. We sit down and Mark himself brings me and Martina water, wow.

Matt came to collect us and brings us to the patio which was about the size of my bedroom. We stayed smooshed together (me with a pint glass of water in one hand and a rum and coke in the other trying not to spill either, or worse, both on anyone).

It's funny how a year can change things. Last year we were in this same situation and four people came to see Mark play. Now there was a roomful of people. It pays to be a noticably early fan because people will take care of you. John, the tour manager, cleared out a bench and had called us over so we could sit while everyone else stood, shoulder to shoulder, sticking to their neighbours.

So we sat fanning ourselves with NXNE programs in the heat and watched another hour of Mark play. He played Bell x1 's 'Next to You' for Martina. The "I'm not over you, can I get back under?" one.

This is my absolutely favourite picture of the night.

The night ended way to soon and before we knew it Matt was waking up hot Irish teenage boys passed out on benches and we were saying bye to everyone. I got my poster signed and another hug with a kiss on the cheek from Mark.

That reads: 'My Miss Toronto, Always your Marky'

Wow, I love him.

speaking at length + speaking in lines