-Mike

Adam Arkin, Actor

After a little absence, I’m back! Of course I’m still blogging madly over at iam.strongandfree.ca but I’ve had this hankering to get back in the saddle (cue country music Coyo). So it’s been stewing for a while – a top 5 “cool moments” in the store. There’s been countless cool, interesting, weird and wild, and otherwise blissful or unique moments. I used to be “Mike on Mondays” for about two years so I’ve spent quality time. Anyway, here’s a snapshot of what retail life in Kensington Market can mean:

(in no particular order)

• Discovering New Music: I learned a lot about Deodato, Mongo Santamaria, and all kinds of jazz blues world legends while I worked, but the afternoon I found Joni Mitchell’s “Blue” was incredible. Sunlit, and fairly quiet, I played an Australian pressing of this classic album about 3-4 times back-to-back. It was magic.
• Naming Indie Rock Bands: Dave from The Golden Dogs used to drop by with some regularity, when he wasn’t touring or busy rehearsing (in B.B.G.D. – bands before the golden dogs). One day I distinctly remember him asking Coyote and I to listen to a demo he was working on and he asked us what we thought of a couple potential band names. One of which was obviously Golden Dogs- which we all took a shine to.
• Pedestrian Sundays: Looking out the window, or watching from the porch, the music tends to be the aspect that really comes alive on Kensington North. Perhaps the best moments have included my brother, Jeff Simpson, or Ken Stringer tinkling the ivories on the “street piano” or the intense Afro-Brazilian serenade of slave anthems that is the signature of Maracatu Nunca Antes – regulars I rarely want to miss.
• Hearing Coyote tell me he’s gotten calls from California and other places from people who’ve stumbled upon the website or blog, and knowing that all the hard work is paying off. Paradise Bound is going galactic (cue Beasties Coyote).
• Meeting the Stars: Perhaps the Daddy of them all, and admittedly definitely my “number one,” is the time I was working a couple summer weekends. One Saturday a man strolled in, and as he browsed, his back to me, I got this strange feeling I knew him but he was a stranger or celebrity. He spoke in a confident voice and turned and I felt a light euphoria. It was my favourite TV actor – Adam Arkin – who played the infamous maniacal cook on the 1990s series, “Northern Exposure.” I ended up advising him on a couple hip-hop selections and he left the store without me saying a “fan-like” word. I couldn’t believe it. I was starstruck. Fortunately he came the following Saturday and I wasted no time in opening up to tell him I was a big fan. He explained he was in town directing a movie. I lucked out and got to meet one of my favourite actors!

How about you? Any cool moments in Paradise Bound? Feel free to leave your comments!

Mike