There are other cheapstakes out there . . .

I have become addicted to the Vinyl Cafe - a radio broadcast on CBC. Steward McLean, is an excellent story teller, he has a remarkable voice, and a wonderful sense of timing. It comes on every Saturday morning after Adventures in Odyessy (By the way, they are playing new shows - this weeks was a continuation of last weeks - called the Green Ring Conspiracy - its really really good, apparently you can listen online at whitsend.org). Last week, Steward McLean told a story about his time growing up in Montreal, and one particular story made me think of Wes, and his never ceasing quest to obtain free or discounted entrance into events.

As mentioned, Steward McLean grew up in Montreal during the 60s. While he was a university student, many of the big Greats in rock at the time were playing at a particular theater in Downtown Montreal. Being a poor university student and unable to afford the ticket price, he devised a way to sneak into the theater, not only to catch the acts, but also to meet the members. His plan worked best in the winter, particularly when it was snowing. A small cafe/shop was just down the street from the theater, and it was to that shop that Steward McLean would head to prior to the show. There he would remove his outercoat, revealing a short sleeve shirt, hang up the jacket, then walk to the back door of the theater. Surrounding this back door was usually a collection of impressionable, highly excitable, and head-over-heels in love girls, who would wait in giddy anticipation at the back door in hopes of a glimpse or, even better, a chance to meet their musical heros. Seeing a young man, in short sleeves, walking in the softly falling snow with a decided sense of purpose towards the back door, these groupies would assume that he belonged inside and would begin clamouring for him to let them in. Steward McLean would then knock at the back door, and when security would open it, he would push himself inside, and direct the overwhelmed guard, over his shoulder as he walked in, to "not let any of THEM in". The trick, he said, was to just keep walking. Apparently he succeeded several times to gain entrance.

The story reminded me so much of Wes (and for that matter Dad), that I just had to pass it on. I do NOT, I repeat, NOT condone Steward McLean's actions, and I would be HORRIFIED, repeat HORRIFIED, if I found out that my brother (or father) attempted such a thing. Though it was a good story.