Went out to see a band (actually, a couple bands, but only one was really worth mentioning) at the Horseshoe last night. Jen and I went to school with two guys from the band Lifted and, since Jen is in town from Calgary, we decided to have a sisters-night-out to see this band for the first time.

Honestly, I didn't even know that my friend, Bill, from high school was even in the band until I saw him outside. It was a total double-take as he looks so different now! The last time I saw him I think I was in second-year university. I remember that he used to date my friend Anita. He was on my bus in high school. I remember that he came to visit me in the hospital when I was in grade 11 and had nearly died. He and his friend Chris nearly killed me with laughter.

And suddenly, there he is looking like Mr. Rocker outside the Horseshoe. And of course, he is so talented. In fact, the whole band was just amazing. Kind of Our-Lady-Peace-esque. They had real stage presence and outstanding songs.

I think about how much talent is out there and how little I actually get to hear any of it cause it never gets on the radio. What a shame. Talent is such a precious thing and we really don't do enough in Canada to support our artists.

Immediately afterwards, I went to the CHUM City Festival Schmooze, where Alex was working. He gave me a wristband so that we could go have a look at the party. Typically all the "BIG" stars had left. But it still strikes me that, even though the Toronto Film Festival is supposed to be about the indie films, it's still the big Hollywood stars that everyone wants to catch a glimpse of. I'm pretty sure that none of the people watching the red carpet even recognized most of the Canadian talent.

It's a sad truth: real artists are not properly appreciated. Their art is not supported because it's cheaper and easier to go with whatever is marketed best. We get spoon-fed whatever artist has the right connections. And art suddenly becomes so vanilla.

I want to make a point to support the arts more. I think it's an important mark of our civilization. And maybe if I do that, someday someone will support me to live my life expressing my talent and I can just write all day long.