Hey people. This is my first post in a while. I've been super busy studying for exams, so it's time to update you on everything.

The College of Piping's season is starting soon. We had a neat little band practice barbeque thing out at Canoe Cove today. It was a little chilly and I didn't bring a sweater so that was unfortunate. Drum core is sounding pretty decent, better than I was expecting, which is a very good thing. Our first competition is at the Moncton Highland Games this year, which is actually this Saturday. Although I am competing solos this year, Nyall can't make it to Moncton so I won't be competing there in solos. I'm probably gonna be more focused on band stuff this week, cleaning everything up. There's gonna be four or five bands against us there so that's exciting, considering last year we had no competitors until Maxville. Gud. But yeah, it should be fun.

In other news, I did have time to hit up the beach yesterday. Me and alex and a couple of other guys went skim-boarding at Thunder Cove. It was my first time trying it so it was a blast. A lot harder than it looks. It got chilly yesterday too around five o'clock. We hid behind a sand dune though and it was super warm 'cause no wind. I'm so pumped for summer. It's gonna be sick. Hopefully the beaches get warmer though.

Anyways, I have to get some sleep, band exam tomorrow! Shouldn't be too hard, but I need to catch up on my skill tests. We'll have to see what happens. Later!

Sam

Victoria and Bellingham

Hey everyone,

It's been a while since I've posted again. I've been busy with work becoming a great Barista so feel free to stop into Artigiano's on Hastings in Burnaby for some great coffee. Otherwise it's been afternoons of house improvement, tech setup and various other semi productive activities.

On another note however the band has traveled to Victoria on Vancouver Island for a weekend of great competition taking two seconds behind the current World Champs, SFU. It is a little discouraging always coming last... But in our defense there are only two grade one bands. It's more about getting out and learning something new about our performence everytime. As long as we continue to do that we can live with coming second to SFU for a while longer. It was said while we were there that although we're not beating SFU, that certainly doesn't mean we can't kick the ass of the other grade one bands at the worlds this year. I'm really excited about all that.

Yesterday we "attented" the Bellingham Highland Games in Washington. As long as we're "attending" the games we never run into any issues with the boarder gaurds in either direction. They all seem very crankey anyway though.

We had to draw both an MSR and a Medley at the line in Bellingham. That almost NEVER happens. It was really cool though having to be totally confident in two large performences like that. Later on in the day during the Medley our Pipe Major David felt that we sounded pretty great and decided to play our Medley straight past SFU while they were tunning up. That was really cheeky and I think everyone in the band was smiling when for the first time it looked like the World Champions broke a slight sweat. One chip perhaps, off thier inpermiable armor against us.

We played every single drummer and every piper in both competitions. Triumph Street, you can tell, really wants to be something. It's a really great group to be a part of as every field we march onto I feel history taking place. We all seem to think we've got some great things to acomplish in the near future and I believe we're going to do just that!

As a last note, the good times will certainly continue into the next couple years as it was tentatively anounced that The Dowco Triumph Street Pipe Band would be the official representative pipe band of the 2010 Vancouver Olympics!! What a great way to start the summer!

Once again, I'd say the last little while has been productive and a total blast. Thanks for reading everyone. I'll try and keep in touch.

Almost Done!

Well I have 7 days of school left before my final exams EVER at three oaks (if all goes well...). Prom just passed last weekend, it was a great time. All of the props and stuff were really well done I was impressed. The DJ at the school was just fair, but at the party he was UNREAL. One last big party for the grads before most of us go away. It was a lot of fun. Enough about school though, time for Highland Storm...........THE GAEL!

We're completely re-doing highland storm this year. We have someone new directing the show, her name is Stephanie Cadman (I think..). I'm basically going to have no life for about a month because of the rehearsals. We're only getting paid 100 bucks for 102 hours of rehearsal... just fair, but hopefully the show is way better. We're getting paid more for the actual show though. 50 bucks a night, compared to 25 last year, and since I don't have any time for another job, I guess I'm working at the College again, which isn't too bad cause' I can get a lot of practice in and stuff. Turns out mom's taking me to Maxville possibly so, that should be a time. I gotta get my solo stuff together though, it's been all about school and band lately.

Anyways, that's what's going on right now. Band Banquet and Grad Banquet and all of that fun stuff is coming up too. Safe-Grad, I'm pumped for that, but I have to go do a French project OMG YEY. Bye everyone!


Sam


P.S How'd it go Chris?

BLEH

Soooo school has been just pounding the work in this past week. Trying to get a lot of it over with before prom I guess.. I've basically been up every night til 2 doing projects or studying. Haven't had a lot of time to fool around with the camera or blog much for that reason, but there's some stuff on the cam and I finally got to this. Wynn and I filmed some stuff on the weekend though. We though we'd run by those things on the road that tell cars how fast they're going. I can run 28 km/h WEOO. Fun stuff.

Anyways, I'm still trying to find a job. I haven't heard back from the College yet, but I'm still not 100% sure I want to work there. I want more than minimum wage :) I applied at the Call Center and I really hope I get in there. An extra .75 cents an hour for being bilingual! I think I'm going to apply at the Brother's Two as well, but I doubt there's any fulltime employment left but it's worth a try.

In other news, prom this weekend. My vest and tie and stuff came in today, it looks pretty sick. I have a black tux though which is unfortunate because I always wanted a white one, but oh well. I'll live. Prom party should be a blast. It's in Miscouche and they have a huge tent and a DJ and everything. I'm gonna be havin' a time, but yeah. It's late. I need sleep, and I don't feel well. GOOOD night everyone!

P.S Good luck Chris!


Sam

Thursday... Again.

Alright everyone, it's Thursday again and you know what that means. Band practice with The TSPB! This is going to be an interesting one too considering this weekend will be our first outdoor competition as well as the unveiling of our new drums to the world. It's an interesting start to the season as we will be traveling to Vancouver Island to play in Victoria. I've never been there before, so I've got the unkown to look forward to. Just hope I don't get cut... cough cough...

Wish me luck!

-Chris

Hey everyone. I had a pretty chill weekend. Friday I went to the beach to see how it is, and to get pumped for summer. It was sooo cold. The rugby boys at my school won the big tournament that they hosted on Saturday. I went to the after party even though I don't play rugby.... but it was kinda fun. Jocks are lolz. I went to the dentist today too. My first time since November of 2005 :| Turns out I no cavities! I guess giving up pop actually has its benefits.

Yeah so anyways, band wasn't too shabby last week. I finally have the stuff memorized so that's a plus. I had to leave early though because I had to play at a fundraiser for Relay for Life at the legion. Played a couple of songs with Nyall, but yeah. This week I gotta have the music for Highland Storm ready. The girl that's directing it this year is coming in on Thursday to take a listen to hopefully that goes well!

I'm out though. Bye!

Sam

Thursday

Hey everyone,

The BC crew and I have finished moving into our new place. It worked out pretty well... That is to say the guys downstairs don't mind the noise or anything. In return however we have to brave an evening long onslaught of trance music banging away in the basement. So I guess that's a fair trade? We make as much noise as we want from anytime until 11, but they do the same. I'm sure my friends and I can do far worse to our underground counterparts than they can us. I hope...

Tonight is also a Thursday which means band practice. It's my first practice back to the game since I left for PEI. Two weeks too long if you ask me, I'm rusty on the material although I'm sure it'll all come together tonight.

Almost forgot! Our new Andante Drums are in. I'll be getting mine this evening. I'm pretty excited about that too.

Other news... Not much...

I'll keep in touch.

-Chris

Monday weeoo

Hey yall. I got the new camera tonight :) I'm pumped. Sue threw in this sick external hard drive that I'm also pumped about. So the filming starts next week basically so we're just gonna be rockin' out at my school and such. It's cool that things are actually coming along. I'm hoping it'll be smooth sailing from now til' we're done.

Anyways, I just got back from Jodi's, just chillin watchin some TV. I don't have anything too exciting to say tonight, but life's going good I guess. School is kind of annoying but when isn't it. Pffft school... but yeah, bedtime. It's twelvee

Night everyone


Sam

New Horizons

Hey all,

So I'm back in BC and I haven't been able to post on account of all the moving I've been doing. My room mates and I have moved closer to the downtown Vancouver area. We're buried deep down in the east side. Near Commercial Drive if you know the area. Anyway, the new place is great but it's totally a disaster still. We've got painting to do and all of our belongings are scattered around like we just don't care. So on that note I've got a lot of work to do...

I'll keep you posted!!

-Chris

Back in PEI

So I'm back from Ottawa, got back Monday night. The trip was pretty good, got to see some pretty cool stuff. Zip-lining was definitely my favorite part. It's crazy flying down those things. Anyways I'm kind of pissed I had to miss the jam and the workshop. Totally wish I could have done everything, but everything just happened to land in the same week unfortunately. I also missed Ashley's party. I heard it was interesting. Gordie...... hehe

Anyways, to when I got home Monday night, guess who the first people are standing there when I get off the bus. CHRIS ASHLEY AND RACHEL. I was like holy eff. So that's good news because I actually got to see Chris :) So yeah. We all went to Chris' to watch a movie and have some wine (random). Turned out to be a pretty chill night, and I'm just happy I got to see Chris.

Anywaysssss I have to go to Halifax tomorrow for YET ANOTHER band trip. This one is only a day trip for jazz band though. Sooo I'm off for now. Bedtime.

ps Can't wait to get my sick camera :)

And So It Begins...

Ladies and Gentlemen...

I am currently sitting in the Vancouver International Airport where (thank God) they have free wireless internet. Who would have thought? Certainly not I.

Well, I'm on my way to grand ol' PEI again and it's finally starting. The Documentary I mean. I'm going to be in front of the camera finally! I'm looking forward to it, and a drumming workshop with Jim Kilpatrick at the College of Piping. It's been way too long since I've visited those lonely halls. I hear things are different in and around those parts.

In any case I'm pretty pumped about everything. I'll see you folks soon.

It's go time.

Chris's Fail Safe Cold Cure

I went to the craziest bar last night... The walls were furry and bright red. I listened to a gypsy band play music about the amount of sand in a boot. I had a crazy cold too and I was way over tired after working. But I went anyway, and now I feel great. This is my cure for the common cold:

Work - Relax - Sit and listen.

Throw in a couple Heine's too. That can't hurt.

-Chris

Hey folks,

Just got off the phone with the mom. Im flying home soon to the drumming workshop in Summerside. I really hope people make it out to our event. We're going to be having an open mic and stuff in support of the Documentary on the 24th. I'm really looking forward to playing some guitar and sharing some tunes with you guys.

Also don't forget to bring hand drums for the drum circle before and after the event. :D

-Chris

-There's a facebook event if you haven't been invited yet. The Drummerboyz Jam is open to all ages.

3 A.M.

That story is lolz. Imagine Dartmouth winning the College Trophy. Shoot Me. That reminds me. I don't think Dartmouth is playing this year. Which is crazy. AND there's no highland games in Summerside this year... wtf right. I really miss Scott. Hopefully Mr Mike can turn thing around in the next year or so.

Anyways it's still snowing here unfortunately. Mid-Terms tomorrow. Why I am up at 3 O'clock I don't know. Oh well, there's always coffee. I'm going to bed though. BYE

Sam

Indoors and Outdoors

Hey Errrrvryone. (Welcome Sam!!)

Last night was the indoor Highland Games in New Westminster. Let me share some beautiful irony with you. The Dowco Triumph Street Pipe Band (that is us) took on The Siomon Fraser University Pipe Band (The reigning world champions and world drum corps champions) in a head to head concert formation grade one medley contest. We drew at the line... medley number one, or medley number two. They did the same.

They kicked our asses yet again. But I mean of course they're going to win, they are the best in the fracking world. What the heck do you expect? The irony however was that when they announced the winner of the grade one contest it was as such: "And in first place, winning the Triumph Street Pipe Band Trophy: Siomon Fraser University Pipe Band!!!!" And I think to myself... this is what you get for being in a revival band from the 70's. Other bands winning trophies named after your ensemble. Great.

On another note though, I ran into James Beaumont. He's stands tall as one of the first pipers one might see when SFU marches into the circle. Front and center. I know him, however, as the guy who ran the grade four north american winning College of Piping Band. he came and taught our pipers for a time, and the band did well. Not to mention the fact that we had a great time playing together. So now when I see him I always make a point of walking over to say hi. From behind some odd group of pipers and drummers from God knows what band are all scowling as the Triumph Street and SFU tartans sway side by side for a moment. What a bunch of wankers.

Anyway, James won the pro piobrach contest and had to carry the trophy home in a big wooden chest. Talk about over the top... Not to mention the three guys it probably took to lug it to his car...

Party followed. Much drinking. Lack of sleep.

-Chris

WEOO

I finally got on! Only took like a month...

So anyways, Happy Easter! I had a wicked breakfast this morning. Eggs, bacon, toast, OJ mmm. It almost feels like Christmas. It snowed last night so theres like 15 cm of snow everywheree. God damn. I actually gotta run tho, going to visit the grandparents!

Thank god I'm finally on here sorry it took so long haha.

Sorry, we only accept hands..

Sam

The Weekend

Hi,

The weekend was quite eventful. Triumph Street practiced together almost all weekend, and any moments in between I spent with Cam Reid drumming. Besides that I managed to walk into a sign post bleeding everywhere, and acquiring five stitches. I was trying to figure out the relative minor of G major... I think I need to review some theoretic ideas.

It's Tuesday today and I have the day off work. I'm going to school anyway tonight to get the first of the filming done. That's kind of exciting I think. So far this has all been like a giant game of make believe. Now it seems something is actually going to happen! It's bizarre to think you'll all see me tonight almost a year from now in some theater somewhere.

Anyway, my head is alright. I feel like things are coming together.

See you tonight!

-Chris

If You Are Reading This...

I am in love with a girl. I'm going to write something here today that I've been milling over and over again in my head...

I live in Vancouver for a reason. For a great reason. I am an active member in one of the greatest musical reasons that exists. I play drums with The Triumph Street Pipe Band, and I've worked hard to get here. I still work hard to improve and do well. I try pretty hard to make things work in favor of my drumming in the future. You, the reader, sitting at a desk somewhere at home or in a library or office should at least know that, having visited this ongoing story of mine. I live for the music. But know this: Life is full of choices, and sometimes those choices can be second guessed for a very long time. Maybe even for the rest of one's life. I don't know, I'm just young yet. I can say, without a shadow of a doubt though, that not a day will pass that I will not think of her.

When I stand in the circle and my personal identity weavers in light of the pipes; when the endless chattering voices of a universe cease only for the blink of an eye, I am timelessly glued heart to heart with her.

What to do... What to do...

Sam

This is Susan -

Just a note to say Sam is having some technical issues getting on the blog and that hopefully I'll be seeing him this weekend and we can figure out the problem.

Sorry you're so lonesome, Christopher, just go drink a few Starbucks, ummm, I mean Artigiano's coffee and you'll perk right up :)

Yup, and have a few for me, will ya?

Have a good weekend, everyone - we're going to see Evita tomorrow night at Confed Centre in Charlottetown. A real treat. That's if I'm still walking after my Pump 'N Burn class in the morning!

Have fun in Vancouver, Christopher - not too much fun, though - be safe! :)

Hi Sam! We'll get you up and running here soon, buddy -

Susan

Lonesome

Hey...

Is it just me or am I talking to myself here? Where the hell is Sam?

-Chris

Have You Tried The Eggplant?

Well Ladies and Gents,

I have taken the plunge. I have eaten an Eggplant sanwhich having been promised that all succesful young people are all about "The Plant". Truely, I tell thee, the key to growing old and living happy lies in the... err... sprout of this bizarre veggie. This is what I have been told.

Moral of the story:

It's gross and left a bad taste in my mouth. Don't believe them!! Don't believe them!!!!

-Chris

Night Coughing

Triumph Street practices soon. A couple hours in fact, and I can't sleep due to this brutal cough. I've been sitting up for a while now thinking about random things. I stop every so often and proceed with a coughing fit. Something is not quite right I think. No person should cough this much. I mean seriously, my chest is going to explode or something.

I'm going to be tired as frig tomorrow...

Urrrrgggg...

-Chris

Yup

Yup, well, heck, kid - there's gotta be some price to fame!

Truly, though, I hope your friends enjoy all of this. They can show the film to their grand kids someday...from jail...cause they're in there for maiming you...

Yer Momma :)

Halp!!

All this talk about cameras and filming sounds pretty awesome. I'm looking forward to talking with you all face to face. But let's keep something in mind. Documentaries have conflict and resolution right? What if I am maimed by my friends for sticking cameras in their faces? <_<

-Chris

PS.  Maim

tr.v.    maimed, maim-ing, maims

1. To disable or disfigure, usually by depriving of the use of a limb or other body part.

2. To make imperfect or defective; impair.

Halp!!

Sponsorship Opportunity

Hi folks - this is Susan -

Just another day of working out all the intricacies of Drummerboyz...then this afternoon I will be doing a lot of writing as I finely tune our storyline.

Thought I would throw out a unique sponsorship opportunity - part of the appeal of Drummerboyz is allowing the boys, Chris and Sam, to do some of their own filming. Both boys will be given cameras that they can use to record events and happenings in their lives...or perhaps just thoughts...that will be edited into the final version of the film. An organization or individual is invited to sponsor these cameras for the boys, in return for the chance to be in the film, as well as tons of credit in the film. The approximate cost is $ 5000 for two camera kits that include tripods, batteries, the whole she-bang. Chris and Sam will get to keep these cameras - maybe one day we'll make Drummerboyz 2! (Or Pipergirlz?) Bluemountain entertainment would also be happy to put your logo on these cameras!

Contact info is fatcat@pei.sympatico.ca...or you can always look us up on Facebook - the bluemountain entertainment page. And don't forget about the Drummerboyz Jam, happening Friday, April 24th at 7 pm. Location TBA. This is your chance to be in the film!

Cheers! Happy sponsoring!

Susan

"The Jazz"

There comes a time in every young persons life, I think, in which they contemplate the relationship between work and play. I've always been someone who believed in the positive energy of play above and beyond the satisfaction of hard work. As I get older however, I'm slowly starting to refine the differences.

I just turned 19 years of age. I live (aside from room mates) mostly on my own. I choose things. I make things, and create. Music allows me to produce raw emotion, moulding these beliefs into tunes and chord shapes. The question I have begun asking myself is this: "Am I working or playing?"

When I sit down to play my acoustic guitar, I stare intensely into the body of an Indonesian made Yamaha. Glowing fire-like in the warm dimness I feel free to explore the fear and excitement of my infinite potential. I am God. I am connected to Him. I strike the slowly rusted strings. It's dirty, it's mine... And it's REAL. Work or play?

On another day however I find myself standing as a terrified child standing behind the snare drum I play with Triumph Street. I am enslaved by the monotonous drudgery surrounding the tidiness of half a beat. For twenty minutes all ten of us strain mind and body in extreme concentration. Alas, that one moment in time resolves. We are as one. It's hard work, but each and every one of us knows when the games finally come around there will be no work left to do. We march onto the battlefield and simply play our hearts out.

The defining moment for me was sitting patiently in a small soundproof chamber obediently practicing various aspects of Jazz drum set. My hands were trying to wrap some polyrhythm down deep in my muscle and never forget. My mind was attentive, yet slowly drifting. The purpose of that particular exercise eluded me, but I continued on as minutes pass to hours. I think to myself, "maybe I'm not that into this kind of musical situation."

"Jazz" is however an extremely beautiful music, undefined really by any understanding of the men and women who play it. We know it swings, and we know there are elements of improvisation. I am always watching others in the hallways talk about what "The Jazz" is to them and I've come to realize (I think) what the heck they are talking about. They can't be talking about the set picture perfect reference of Jazz. I think these musicians are talking about what they love about the music they play. "Jazz is a slowly smoked cigarette and a drummer who puts four on the floor!", "Jazz is a shout chorus of trumpets!", "Jazz is what you feel when you put on a Miles Davis album!".

It suddenly occurred to me that I had been in the wrong place all along. All any musician wants to do is find their "Jazz", and I knew for certain mine was a wet field full of men in skirts. That feeling that separates when we are working and when we are playing as musicians. You work hard to hone your skills in an attempt to create something beautiful in a performance or on a recording. That makes sense to me. "You do the work" as my private instructor Blaine would say, "you receive the benefits".

From now on when I sit down to write or practice a rudimental exercise for Pipe Band I know that I am putting in the work that needs to be done in order to create something great down the road. Sometimes it makes me feel impatient, but when I remember what my short time in music school has taught me, I know there is some equivalency down the line. Some time to play my heart out. There will always be time for that, you've just got to figure out what plays most to you. I would take the epic clamor of a badass 6/8 march with pipes and drums any day over the sounds of some quiet artsy form of percussion. I could listen forever to the sounds of Jeff Mangum's lyrical and melodic ideas. I couldn't bare to hear over an hour or two modal trumpet solo. Music is very personal, and it took this year for me to figure out just how personal it is. I just have to keep seeking out my own "Jazz".

Just keep in mind that you cannot find "The Jazz".

"The Jazz", however, will always find you.

-Chris

Swinging

Yup, swinging, the old fashioned kind. You know, where you get on a swing, give yourself a real good push and then start pumping with your legs until you are flying high! I had a neat dream about swinging last night...I was on the ground, watching, and the College of Piping's previous Director, Scott MacAulay, was swinging high above me. I recall that he had a big smile on his face...he seemed happy. I woke up happy, thinking about the doc, Drummerboyz. Somehow I think Scott's happy that I'm making it. After all, it was he who stepped up to me at Jeremy White's wedding in August 2007, in the shadow of the beautiful William Critchlow Harris Indian River Church, and suggest to me that 'if I wanted to go to film school in Vancouver, I should go. That a year may seem like a long time, but that it really wasn't, in the overall big scheme of things.'

Scott had likely spent a lot of time by then pondering the overall big scheme of things. He was a man who knew the value of a year. He passed away just over twelve months later. There's something about time...you just can't stop it. You grow, your kids grow, people pass on. Things pass on. Watching your kid compete at Highland Games practically every weekend all summer long passes on.

But long after, in the midst of winter, when you have a space heater tucked under your computer desk so at least your knees don't freeze, you remember. You remember the smell of the overheated brownish summer grass and dried mud. You recall the sounds of happy people, enjoying their weekend away from the office, cheering on the local pipe bands. Somewhere in the midst of the cacophony of drums and bagpipes you pick out the fine tones of a great pipe band. The bagpipes carry the tune, elegantly, serenely...and then you remember the drums...like a heartbeat, steady and true. You recall Andre, the Triumph Street lead tip, leaning his head over just so, listening to his fine young corps develop their skill as he picks out the parts that need work, or are just fine, after months of practice. You close your eyes and you can almost hear the bands, the pipes, the drums. You remember listening to the College win the North Americans in Grade Four, a few years back. You watched them at Worlds, competing in Grade 3B in 2007, with the warm Scots rain sloshing over your sandal clad toes. You thank God for people like Triumph Street's Andre, who take the time to develop young talent, and who have the guts to demand perfection. You thank God for people like the College's Scott, who built an organization that fed your kid's soul, and allowed the son of a single Mom into the Doug and Debbie Hall program (free drumming lessons!) so he could learn a skill that continues to urge him into the confident young man he's becoming. You thank God for those old summer weekends, when Scott was still around and Andre was waiting in the wings, and you sat on the side of the competition field in awe as you discovered the incredible music of the 'Pipe Band.' Still, today, there is awe, as I remember...

As I close, I will also thank the powers that be for youtube, because it is there I can call forth the music once again, the tunes of proud kilted musicians. One day, I will see and hear them as part of Drummerboyz, the doc I'm making this summer. This is the reason for the doc - to stop time in its tracks. I just wish Scott could have been here to see it - I think he'd be real proud.

Susan :)
aka filmmaker and Mom

The Starting Line

Hello World...

You certainly seem large...

My name is Chris.

What else is there to say at this point? I'm going to be logging my every thought in here from now on? Is that healthy? Does it matter? Questions, questions, questions...

Anyway, I'm a drummer.

Nice to meet you...

Words of Encouragement

Hi World! Hi Drummerboyz!

Sam and Christopher, this is your blog, guys. Have fun with it. We want the world to get to know you guys, to have a little introduction into your realities before they get to see you in Drummerboyz. So have some fun, post some pics, vids, songs, whatever you feel like sharing. Get to know each other again, and tell us a bit about what's important to you, what's going on in your lives. How do you feel about being the subjects of a Feature Documentary? That's gotta be kinda exciting, and maybe a little scary, too, putting yourselves out there like that, especially in front of the Pipe Band world, which I know is of utmost importance to you guys. It's important to me, too - you guys have something I don't - the ability to drum in a pipe band! But I have something you don't - I get to watch you guys in competition, and I've been able to watch y'all grow up in this awesome world. Thanks for letting me have the opportunity to watch you grow up just a little bit more - cause ya know, you guys are on the brink - you're not kids anymore. You're moving on, to a world with responsibilities, independence, a newfound freedom of sorts. And I'm lucky enough to be able to record this next phase of your lives, as Christopher goes off to Worlds with Triumph Street, and slugs it out in Vancouver, figuring out his next step in a city where gunshots can be fired less than a kilometre away from your home (yes, that happened to us three times while I lived in Coquitlam with Christopher last year), while Sam makes choices that will reflect on the rest of his life - school? Drumming? What's next? How important is it to chase your dreams?

Only you guys can answer these questions. Thanks for taking me along for the ride.

Susan Rodgers
Mom and Filmmaker