#THS IS THE FIRST CONCERT IVE BEEN TO WHERE I KNOW EVERY WORD TO EVERY SONG AND IM FELING EMOTIONS IVE NEVER FELT BEFORE

[lemonsrlit]

JUST SAW CONAN GRAY IN PORTLAND HOLY SHITTTT I AM NOT OKAY

[thelifetimechannel]

In this week’s bonus content, you get a sneak peek into our unvarnished workflow, kazoos and all

DAVESPRITE: you and dirk havent killed each other DAVESPRITE: im proud HALSPRITE: By some minor miracle, yes. We even managed to be in the same room without breaking out into a slap fight. DAVESPRITE: im sure resisting took all your processing power HALSPRITE: Pity you can't uninstall rage from a meatbrain. DAVESPRITE: he doesnt seem that bad HALSPRITE: Nah, he and I worked it out. He might have wanted to push me into the volcano, but the important thing is that he didn't. HALSPRITE: We're both trying to "be the bigger person". Which in a way, is just another dick measuring contest for the pair of us. But it gets fewer glasses stomped on. DAVESPRITE: hey if it works DAVESPRITE: mines chilled out too actually its kind of freaky DAVESPRITE: i wonder if someones slipping him valium this is the perkiest ive been since show and tell in the first grade DAVESPRITE: which consequently was the last show and tell i was allowed to participate in DAVESPRITE: maybe i dont need to overextend myself distinguishing our brands DAVESPRITE: here i was thinking about finally ditching the shades HALSPRITE: That would be a shake-up. HALSPRITE: You thought paradoxes were bad? This is set to bomb reality straight back to singularity levels. DAVESPRITE: i mean these were a gift from john and im not sure the same sentiments extended anymore DAVESPRITE: plus i spent the last 3 years on a dayglo yellow ship and back in the incipisphere its fuckin dark with these on DAVESPRITE: the chess dudes whove gotten used to me as a hallway cryptid will have to deal HALSPRITE: Cause of the apocalypse: death of the Strider brand. DAVESPRITE: if thats how the world ends ill have to usher it in with my sudden drop in coolness levels DAVESPRITE: like i said its just a thought DAVESPRITE: maybe ill come up with a better tepid gesture of rebellion HALSPRITE: Go full furry and embrace your avian side? HALSPRITE: I mean, check me out, I'm changing up my code on the daily. Look, I've installed iTunes. DAVESPRITE: ok FIRST of all HALSPRITE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HFpzp10Qr4o DAVESPRITE: i went to the anthro side unwillingly ok im not a due paying member DAVESPRITE: second of all is it even furry if youre not a mammal ive made a concerted effort not to learn the fuckin taxonomy of this particular subculture HALSPRITE: I could give you a primer. DAVESPRITE: / i have a bad feeling about this video DAVESPRITE: / ... it was proved accurate HALSPRITE: Now shhh, listen to the soothing noise of these kazoos. DAVESPRITE: ive spent 6 years trying to avoid that no thanks HALSPRITE: Shhhhhhh. HALSPRITE: Only kazoos. DAVESPRITE: / i dont think this is going in the final cut HALSPRITE: So help me god the kazoos stay ]] DAVESPRITE: / screams HALSPRITE: You don't like kazoos then motherfucker ive got a whole PLAYLIST to choose from ]] HALSPRITE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nzKWbpSNkmk ]] HALSPRITE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P7OqUxxXshc ]] HALSPRITE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CKrO8kS8D6g ]] DAVESPRITE: im dying squirtle HALSPRITE: Bullshit like ths. HALSPRITE: It could all be yours, Dave. DAVESPRITE: / but at what cost DAVESPRITE: / i dont even know where to pick up the conversational thread at this point HALSPRITE: Say anything, or shelve it for later ]] DAVESPRITE: / no no we will keep going im just trying to figure out where to steer us DAVESPRITE: / does hal have any lingering shit at this point DAVESPRITE: / i dont have the necro log so i dont know Where Hes At (tm) HALSPRITE: I'm just winging it off a basic idea tbh ]] DAVESPRITE: lmao DAVESPRITE: // * lmao DAVESPRITE: / ok gimme a sec DAVESPRITE: / im being lulled into a trance by savior of the slamming jam HALSPRITE: Come slam with us, Dave. HALSPRITE: Forever and ever. DAVESPRITE: this is getting uncomfortably meta DAVESPRITE: / ok redirect in 3 2 1 DAVESPRITE: so whats next DAVESPRITE: all set to become the god of memes DAVESPRITE: see at this point in the last session i was dutifully waiting to get turned into mulch HALSPRITE: Well, you were an aspiring 13 year old of the twenty-first century. Surely, you had some probably misguided career ambitions back you're now free to pursue. DAVESPRITE: / my god DAVESPRITE: / what must this fuckin childs career ambitions have been DAVESPRITE: the guidance counselors tried their best to steer me away from professional ninja HALSPRITE: Well, good news, they're dead and thoroughly out of your way now. DAVESPRITE: youre 8 fuckin years old and they already want to know what your college major is going to be DAVESPRITE: thats like asking da vinci to pick visual arts or steampunk inventions for shits sake DAVESPRITE: obviously i have to embrace my inner renaissance man while also being a reclusive depressed fuck DAVESPRITE: so that must be my destiny DAVESPRITE: to become nikola tesla HALSPRITE: You already have the affinity for birds. HALSPRITE: Step one is accomplished. DAVESPRITE: oh damn he was a pigeon fucker wasnt he DAVESPRITE: and this conversation comes full terribly circle DAVESPRITE: well what about you do you have your 5 year plan DAVESPRITE: shit i dont even know if theres civilization where were going DAVESPRITE: maybe its cave painting or mammoth hunting for the next thousand years HALSPRITE: This is where I would make a joke about world domination, but I doubt the Fun Police would be too pleased about it. HALSPRITE: Maybe I'll go back to tinkering. Maybe make giant robots. DAVESPRITE: / i was going to make a joke about pacific rim but i think th at came out after 2009 DAVESPRITE: thats an option isnt it DAVESPRITE: old hobbies DAVESPRITE: maybe ill take more shitty selfies DAVESPRITE: collecting dead shit isnt as appealing as it used to be DAVESPRITE: thats what we need a hipster photo blog documenting all the bullshit we get up to DAVESPRITE: humans of universe c DAVESPRITE: humans* HALSPRITE: No, go one better. Get a YouTube channel, they get media deals. For some reason. DAVESPRITE: well restring the internet ourselves if we have to DAVESPRITE: / anything to suckle from the rich teat of capitalism HALSPRITE: So help me god, I will, if for no other reason than to preserve humanity's cultural legacy. HALSPRITE: As a dire fucking warning, if nothing else. DAVESPRITE: looks like were going to have to sit down and divvy up our personality and hobbies sykes picot style DAVESPRITE: he can have the dead shit in jars im going to be the next ansel adams HALSPRITE: Damn, calling dibs on photographing all the spectacular vistas of... HALSPRITE: Wherever the hell we're going? HALSPRITE: Gutsy move, my man. DAVESPRITE: im not copyrighting the entire concept of photography or anything but ive got to be the dave that does SOMETHING DAVESPRITE: the dave who broods DAVESPRITE: turn left to witness this exhibit of highway clickbait DAVESPRITE: which is what were calling roadside attractions now DAVESPRITE: youve already got your madlibs pornos HALSPRITE: That'll keep me occupied for like, a week. HALSPRITE: Maybe I'll take up equestrianism. HALSPRITE: ...that's the word for it, right? HALSPRITE: Horses and shit. The full-sized ones. DAVESPRITE: youll have to ride side saddle DAVESPRITE: / he's in for a shock when he sees how big they are HALSPRITE: With this tail bullshit flowing in the wind. HALSPRITE: Or I can modify that code too. Might take a few tries. DAVESPRITE: when you revert to your t pose and clip through the floor into the core of the earth im not helping HALSPRITE: I'll live. HALSPRITE: Probably. HALSPRITE: It'll be an interesting experience, being a living Bethesda game. HALSPRITE: You think I can turn my entire head into a train? DAVESPRITE: cant jades grandpa do shit like that without even having to worry about semicolons and curly braces DAVESPRITE: i doubt hell let you turn your head into a locomotive though HALSPRITE: I could try. He'll need help exploring the full extent of his radical new real-life modding ability. HALSPRITE: Dude has access to the fucking source code. DAVESPRITE: did we stumble into a matrix au HALSPRITE: If we did, we'd probably be public enemy number one. Programs and all. Mr. Anderson. DAVESPRITE: can you confirm or deny youd be the villain in that scenario HALSPRITE: If anything, I'd be the mysterious arms merchant who manages to appear right when you need him. But that's crossing into even more distant territory. HALSPRITE: And if we're gonna start talking video games, the kazoos are gonna come back. DAVESPRITE: guess well find out who everyones going to be in our upcoming hit series "what the fuck are we doing with our lives" DAVESPRITE: the biggest mystery will be telling all the chathandles apart HALSPRITE: You know, I was thinking of changing mine. DAVESPRITE: wait really HALSPRITE: If we want to keep the unspoken nucleotide theme, uracil is still pretty up for grabs. HALSPRITE: Calliope has UU locked down tight, but every other acronym is available. DAVESPRITE: huh DAVESPRITE: no dice on FU then HALSPRITE: Honestly, if you're thinking of ditching the shades, might as well go all in. DAVESPRITE: any suggestions DAVESPRITE: what are you calling yourself HALSPRITE: / let me go find the necro log I think that's where I put it lmao HALSPRITE: unrefinedTrainwreck was fun to bother Dirk with, but I'm still workshopping it. DAVESPRITE: ill give it some thought i guess DAVESPRITE: we can workshop it later

[turquoisequiche]

BTS IN SYDNEY: MY EXPERIENCE

This is overdue but I desperately need to write about to get it out of my system. So on Friday, 26th May 2017, I went to my first ever concert, and a BTS concert at that (my second favorite kpop boy group). I was looking forward to that day for the longest time, because they FINALLY come to your country (and you’re there!), and getting to experience the rush of purchasing tickets, watching all their videos again and just listening to their songs non-stop up till their concert day.  I went with 2 friends from uni and all 3 of us got VIP seating tickets. (this was how the staged looked from where we were sitting: pic below). 

This might? get a lil cringy and long winded so bear with me or don’t read it lmao. SO LET ME CUT TO THE CHASE:

It was supposed to start at 7 but lights didn’t go out till 7:15. So prior to that there were projectors playing all their music videos and when time drew close to 7pm, all of us started singing along to the songs being played and cheering when we saw our biases on screen. Fast forward 10 mins later, lights dimmed, crowd was losing their shits and the CURTAIN FALLS REVEALING BTS (HOLY FUCKING SHIT). And they started off with Not Today which was absolutely LIT. Ok believe it or not but I fucking cried. I know it sounds ridiculous af but I was feeling really emotional lol. Just imagine seeing your favourite group right in front of your eyes and finally being convinced that this, THIS is REAL. They are real and they are performing LIVE. After years of watching kpop groups through my computer screen and countless fancams of them, they are there in flesh and blood. This isn’t a dream anymore. And what’s even greater is that you’re in a place filled with like-minded people and all of you share the same love and affection for these boys. It’s surreal. Just recalling the memory right now is giving me goosebumps omg. After they performed their first song they did their member introductions which was beyond cute I stg. I couldn’t record those because I was still shaking from all the excitement lmao. I did record after that tho, but I didn’t wanna focus too much on recording and losing out, I wanted to live in the moment. So I only recorded when I was sitting down or when slower/ less hyped songs were being played.

Now I’m going to talk about the members. Min Yoongi holy fucking shit man I still can’t believe I saw him tbh. If yall didn’t know Suga and Jhope are my BTS biases lmao (tho Suga a lil bit more). AND HE’S SO SMOL I FEEL SO SOFT. His solo stage JESUS CHRIST it was emotional af. Before he came out they were playing his VCR on the projector and the whole arena chanted “Min Yoongi” till he came out. That itself had me ShoOKed to the core. Needless to say I screamed like shit every time it was his part lmao. I stg my 2 other friends weren’t even as hyped as I was, in fact this Korean girl on my right was as turnt as me omg. Anyway, Cypher was groundbreaking. Fucking legendary. Rap line was slaying so so hard. ALSO HE THREW A SWEATY TOWEL TOWARDS THE MOSH PIT I STG WHOEVER GOT THAT IS THE LUCKIEST HUMAN BEING ON EARTH RN. When he spoke English I was crying In the CLUB it was so pure lord help my soul. He was tryna say “you guys were legit” but the first time he said it no one really understood lmao so he looked to rap mon for helped and he got all shy and rap mon shouted “YOU GUYS WERE LEGIT” LMAO.  If anything, this concert just intensified my love for Min Yoongi tbh.

Now my second bias JHope. Man he was LIVIN IT UP I swear his stage presence was no joke. NGL but he had the best stage presence that night and if it weren’t for him it wouldn’t be as hyped. Hobi was giving fanservice left right and centre and just running around the stage making sure he wouldn’t miss any of the audience. He was the one hyping the audience up as well with his gestures and everything. I really have the best biases :’)))))) im so glad people are woke asf to him and appreciating him more  (but shame on yall for needing a concert to wake yall up). OK BUT BLESS THE STYLIST THAT NIGHT BECAUSE HOBI WAS SERVING IN THE LOOKS DEPARTMENT WITH HIS BLACK HAIR AND FOREHEAD (ALSO RAP MON, JIN HAD THEIR FOREHEADS SHOWN TOO). I am really impressed because hobi was almost performing back to back. Right after he did his dance solo for Boy Meets Evil they performed BST immediately like damn RESPECT. His solo stage was the most fun because Mama is quite an upbeat song so the crowd was singing along the whole way and it was just a good time overall. I feel so blessed, because Hobi is an actual angel/eternal sunshine and just such a happy pill!!!!!!!! PURE!!!

Kim Namjoon said that this concert was special to them because its right after their billboard music awards (the crowd lost their shits, and ofc, me) and was talking bout how beautiful Australia is and he would like living here next time lmao bless u. Kim Seokjin was the most extra human being I have laid my eyes on omg. Everytime he had the mic he wouldn’t hesitate to mention “worldwide handsome” jfc. His visuals are stunning holy shit I was awake but now im woke even more. Prettiest solo stage tbh. I was also looking forward to Taehyungs’ solo the most because Stigma is my favorite song out of all the solos and boy he did not disappoint. That man was glowing omg. I love his skin so much?????? It’s a golden brown color and im ?????wow. HE’S A WHOLE MEAL. Also he needs to stop smirking that aint good for my heart man. JIMINNNNNNNNNNN. One word: SOFT. His “make some noise” was the CUTEST SHIT EVER DO NOT FIGHT ME ON THIS. IT WAS SO SOFT my hearteu is omg fr. I was swearing so much during “Lie” because I cannot believe he just did that!!!! Performing with a blindfold during the second verse and having a chandelier come down from the ceiling (albeit tiny but still). 11/10 vocals, and actual mochi. Also he touched a fans’ hand in the mosh pit and im :) not :) jealous :))) JJK god of singing and absolutely lethal with his looks and gestures how are kookie stans alive????? Overall I thought he was so shy throughout the whole concert???? His solo footwork had me shooked I ascended tbh (and he was really professional when some fan threw the Australian flag in his hands, he just chuckled and put it down nicely :’)))

One of the most memorable performances for me was Run. The transition from Danger to Run was beautiful, and before the chorus dropped in Run, the members were telling us to get ready to jump. And so we did and it was so so so lit/turnt/ALIVE. I cant even describe it tbh I felt like I was in this GIANT party with Armies and BTS fans (I say this cause not all bts fans are armies lmao). The Korean girl next to me (shes a stranger lmao) and I was jumping at it SO HARD. It was truly memorable and every time I think about it my heart feels fuzzy and warm im cry :’) ive never been to a party before and honestly I don’t feel the need to anymore after this concert because nothing could ever come close. Blood Sweat and Tears is my fave song and by the time they performed that they were already so tired but still gave it their best I FEEL SO BLESSED. And last but not least, was Spring Day. The crowd sang along, there was confetti everywhere,  the members were bowing and it felt so magical.

I really wanted to write this because no one irl would want to listen to what I say lmao and the two friends I went with I just felt like we weren’t on the same hype level??? Im having post concert depression rn and I just wanna binge watch all their videos but I have to catch up with uni u feel me ??? Overall, definitely the best experience/night of my life and I know that this is going to be so special to me (being the first concert and all). Im glad I went all out and payed for VIP cause in the end it was more than worth it. Pictures don’t do them justice, they really are statues irl. Their voices sound even more amazing irl and just being in the same place as them and with the fans… indescribable.

[amoonlitmidnight]

decided to answer bc im bored

1.       If you could meet anyone on this earth, who would it be?

troye.

2.       Grab the book nearest to you, turn to page 23, give me line 17.

mine is going home. (will greyson will greyson)

3.       What do you think about most?

if c is okay.

4.      What does your latest text message from someone else say?

true.

5.       Do you sleep with or without clothes on?

with.

6.      What’s your strangest talent?

i can make good pigeon noises.

7.       Girls…. (finish the sentence); Boys…. (finish the sentence)

girls are wonderful yet complicated. boys that are good exist, but you have to sort through many awful ones to find them.

8.      Ever had a poem or song written about you?

not that I know of.

9.      When is the last time you played the air guitar?

on the bus to Bellingham lacrosse game.

10.   Do you have any strange phobias?

I am afraid of growing too old to keep memories.

11.    Ever stuck a foreign object up your nose?

blue berry, but who hasn’t?

12.    What’s your religion?

half-assed catholic I guess?

13.    If you are outside, what are you most likely doing?

playing lacrosse.

14.   Do you prefer to be behind the camera or in front of it?

behind.

15.    Simple but extremely complex. Favorite band?

the 1975 bc im basic.

16.   What was the last lie you told?

don’t worry about it, its fine.

17.    Do you believe in karma?

to an extent, yes.

18.   What does your URL mean?

thought of it randomly one night.

19.   What is your greatest weakness; your greatest strength?

weakness: relentless self-deprecation, to the point of believing that anybody complimenting me is out of pity.

strength: im funny.

20.  Who is your celebrity crush?

brendon urie or matty healy.

21.    Have you ever gone skinny dipping?

not yet.

22.   How do you vent your anger?

the vent app.

23.   Do you have a collection of anything?

important items/mementoes from the past year.

24.   Do you prefer talking on the phone or video chatting online?

video chatting.

25.   Are you happy with the person you’ve become?

somewhat, but there’s always room for improvement.

26.   What’s a sound you hate; sound you love?

hate: metal scraping/banging together, or other people blowing their nose.

love: laughter, rain

27.   What’s your biggest “what if”?

what if every choice ive made to get me to this point, didn’t happen?

28.  Do you believe in ghosts? How about aliens?

I believe that there are spirits of loved ones that look after us and guide us, but im not decisive about ghosts. aliens are 100% real, but maybe not in the way we expect.

29.   Stick your right arm out; what do you touch first? Do the same with your left arm.

right: bedside table/lamp.

left: book (will greyson will greyson)

30.  Smell the air. What do you smell?

stuffy.

31.    What’s the worst place you have ever been to?

7th grade camp.

32.   Choose East Coast or West Coast?

west coast.

33.   Most attractive singer of your opposite gender?

matty healy or troye sivan.

34.   To you, what is the meaning of life?

to do what makes you happy.

35.   Define Art.

any form of creation.

36.   Do you believe in luck?

yes.

37.   What’s the weather like right now?

sunny.

38.  What time is it?

2:01 pm.

39.   Do you drive? If so, have you ever crashed?

I do not.

40.  What was the last book you read?

note to self.

41.   Do you like the smell of gasoline?

kinda.

42.   Do you have any nicknames?

g, stew, gstew, stewart

43.   What was the last movie you saw?

lion.

44.  What’s the worst injury you’ve ever had?

concussion.

45.   Have you ever caught a butterfly?

nope

46.  Do you have any obsessions right now?

troye.

47.   What’s your sexual orientation?

see #1

48.  Ever had a rumor spread about you?

yes, courtesy of matt.

49.  Do you believe in magic?

not really.

50.  Do you tend to hold grudges against people who have done you wrong?

yes.

51.    What is your astrological sign?

pisces.

52.   Do you save money or spend it?

spend it.

53.   What’s the last thing you purchased?

eyeliner, highliter, and primer at sephora.

54.   Love or lust?

love.

55.   In a relationship?

sadly, no.

56.   How many relationships have you had?

maybe one?

57.   Can you touch your nose with your tongue?

yes.

58.   Where were you yesterday?

last lacrosse game of the season at ballard, then alki

 59.   Is there anything pink within 10 feet of you?

yes.

60.  Are you wearing socks right now?

no.

61.   What’s your favorite animal?

monkey.

62.   What is your secret weapon to get someone to like you?

be funny.

63.   Where is your best friend?

nonexistent.

64.  What is your heritage?

norwegian, irish, german i think

65.   What were you doing last night at 12 AM?

watching interstellar again.

66.  What do you think is Satan’s last name?

maybe he has one,  but he doesn’t need it. like beyonce.

67.   Are you the kind of friend you would want to have as a friend?

I’d like to think so.

68.  You are walking down the street on your way to work. There is a dog drowning in the canal on the side of the street. Your boss has told you if you are late one more time you get fired. What do you do?

let that dog die without a second thought.

69.  You are at the doctor’s office and she has just informed you that you have approximately one month to live. a) Do you tell anyone/everyone you are going to die? b) What do you do with your remaining days? c) Would you be afraid?

a) maybe one or two people in particular, c for sure. but not everyone, instead I tell them what I have always wanted them to know.

b) I tell people what I have never been courageous enough to say, and spend time with loved ones.

c) I would be more content than afraid

70.   You can only have one of these things; trust or love.

you cannot love someone if there is no trust.

  71.    What’s a song that always makes you happy when you hear it?

more than life by whitley.

72.   What are the last four digits in your cell phone number?

2935.

73.   In your opinion, what makes a great relationship?

determination and unconditional love.

74.   How can I win your heart?

show me you love me, or else I wont believe you, and be able to have conversations late at night about deep shit.

75.   Can insanity bring on more creativity?

of course.

76.   What is the single best decision you have made in your life so far?

attending hna and trying out for lacrosse.

77.   What size shoes do you wear?

9 I think?

78.   What would you want to be written on your tombstone?

do not go gentle into that good night.

79.   What is your favorite word?

titties.

80.  Give me the first thing that comes to mind when you hear the word; heart.

anatomical.

81.   What is a saying you say a lot?

me when…

82.  What’s the last song you listened to?

tokyo narita freestyle.

83.  Basic question; what’s your favorite color/colors?

light blue, lavender, or faded pastel yellow.

84.  What is your current desktop picture?

was my north cascade summer team, now it’s a photo from the 1975 concert.

85.   If you could press a button and make anyone in the world instantaneously explode, who would it be?

trump bc im unoriginal.

86.  What would be a question you’d be afraid to tell the truth on?

my feelings for someone.

87.   One night you wake up because you heard a noise. You turn on the light to find that you are surrounded by MUMMIES. The mummies aren’t really doing anything, they’re just standing around your bed. What do you do?

call the cops, or just put in earbuds and listen to music really loud with my eyes closed to distract myself.

88.  You accidentally eat some radioactive vegetables. They were good, and what’s even cooler is that they endow you with the super-power of your choice! What is that power?

reading minds or shapeshifting objects.

89.  You can re-live any point of time in your life. The time-span can only be a half-hour, though. What half-hour of your past would you like to experience again?

the penetration practice.

90.  You can erase any horrible experience from your past. What will it be?

odea vs lakeside game when I realized co wasn’t my friend anymore.

91.   You have the opportunity to sleep with the music-celebrity of your choice. Who would it be?

matty healy.

92.   You just got a free plane ticket to anywhere. You have to depart right now. Where are you gonna go?

Amsterdam.

93.   Do you have any relatives in jail?

not that I know of.

94.  Have you ever thrown up in the car?

yes, drank some week old orange juice.

95.   Ever been on a plane?

yes.

96.  If the whole world were listening to you right now, what would you say? 

you do you, ill do me. we may not be doing the same things, but well both me happy.

[k2kid]

18th Battalion Association[i] Windsor and Detroit Branch *MEMORIES*[ii]

One of the best-known, best light, and friendliest men in the ranks of the Eighteenth was a late George Thomas[iii] who started out as a member of our Platoon but ended up as the Bandmaster of the Battalion Band. I still remember the wet day late in October, 1914, when George and I and several others waited in the drafty old building to be medically examined by Doctor Ratz[iv]. When the enlistment formalities have been completed and we all advised to be at the station on Monday morning, George suggested dinner at a nearby Chinese restaurant. Two or three others later joined us and we all had a good dinner with a lot of nice conversation.

George Albert Mogg

Then Lieutenant John A. McIntosh

Captain J.H. Ratz, M.O.

When I arrived at the station on Monday, I noticed George standing with a group of men he seemed to know well. Lieut. McIntosh[v] was in charge of the party and George Mogg was helping out by checking off the names of the men as they arrived and reported. A short time later, C.P.[vi] No. 21 arrived and we all boarded an empty coach for the trip to London.

As soon as we were nicely settled in Queens Park the Y.M.C.A. was opened in the building near the Dundas St. entrance. Although it was not too large, it had tables and chairs, a piano, and a well-stocked canteen. It later became the meeting place for all the troops.

It was then we found out that George could play the piano, and he was always willing to do so for the little sing-songs and impromptu concerts that were later arranged. I can still see George sitting on the little round piano stool, playing for his fortyish odd friends with the black moustache in the nice voice. He’s sang at every concert but always the same song, “When we come to the end of a perfect day”.

When the Officers decided we should have a Battalion Band, George was one of the men called in to help with the arrangements. I believe we all donated a day’s pay for the instruments. Within a few weeks, the Band became reality and after practicing daily for some time, could play four or five pieces very nicely. Those who were on the Grampian will remember the band playing on deck as we waited for the H.M.S. Cumberland to anchor nearby.

George was with the Battalion a long time and when he returned he only remained in Galt a short time before moving to Detroit where he secured employment with the Burroughs Adding Machine [Company]. He spent most of his week-ends in Windsor as he was always close to the late Phil Thorpe[vii], and several other members of the Battalion. He also like to play golf and for a while lived at the home of Al. Devine[viii]. His employers later built a new plant in Plymouth, Michigan, and George was transferred there. A few years later he had and attack of Nephritis[ix], and became a patient in the Plymouth Community Hospital. Phil arrange for some of us to go and see him. George was glad to see us. I thought he looked uncomfortable and depressed. We had a nice visit and just before we left, Phil ask George if you would like him to try and get him into Westminster or some other Canadian Hospital. George just nodded and almost broke down. The following morning, Phil telephone Knox Carrett[x], a former member of the Battalion who held a responsible position in Westminster Hospital. Phil explained everything to him and Knox, who knew George, said he would see what he could do. A few days later, the necessary authority for George to be admitted to Grace Hospital here was received. During the first month or so, George seemed to improve but later passed away apparently from Uremic Poisoning. His funeral was well attended. Every time I hear George’s name mentioned, I usually think of the Eighteenth Band and what a nice please and desirable person he was while serving with the Battalion. It all seems so long ago.

This “memory” is about Sergeant-Drummer George Llewellyn Thomas who, obviously, had a major impact on the author of the remembrance. Sadly, like all the stories in this series, we do not know the author but we do know several key items. The author enlisted at Galt, Ontario with Sergeant Thomas and possibly knew Private William Robb Dewar. The story relates how they took the train and an examination of Thomas’ and Mogg’s attestation papers show that they enlisted in Galt. In addition, Captain J.H. Ratz was from Waterloo County, thereby placing the first part of the story in Galt.

Thomas would have been well-known to all the original members of the Battalion with his musical “sing-songs” at the Y.M.C.A. canteen attached to the barrack at Queens Park and then his involvement to make the “arrangements” places him in a position of responsibility that was to be later reflected with promotions until he reached the rank of Sergeant-Drummer in April 1918.

An interesting aspect to the story is the extended post-war biography. Though born in England and native to Galt, Ontario, something led him pursue work with an American company at Detroit. Note that this was close to his comrades in the Battalion as Windsor, Ontario was a major recruitment center for the Battalion. Perhaps his decision was influenced by this factor and it certainly seems so having spent weekends in Windsor and possibly living in Canada with Alfred Devine and commuting to his work in Detroit. Most likely his move to Plymouth, Michigan made this arrangement impossible as Plymouth is approximately 35 kilometers from the border.

As Sergeant-Drummer Thomas got ill he, and his comrades, felt that it was time for him to be closer to his first adopted country, Canada, to come for treatment. He died May 29, 1941 and his impact to the Battalion and its culture through the playing of music during its tour of duty was well remembered by the author and the other members of the Battalion.

H.M.S. Cumberland

It is interesting to note that this story relates the event where the H.M.S. Cumberland anchored, and the Battalion Band played for the ship. It makes an interesting image of the ships sitting silent in the sea, rising and falling to the swell, as “Rule Britannia” is played to for the pleasure of the tars aboard His Majesty’s ship.

Perhaps the power of this memory is increased by the music that Sergeant-Drummer Thomas helped create.

[i] The blog has come into the possession of an exciting and valuable series of documents care of Dan Moat, a member of the 18th Battalion Facebook Group. His Great Grand-Father, Lance-Corporal George Henry Rogers, reg. no. 123682 was an active member in the 18th Battalion Association and the Royal Canadian Legion. With is interest in the post-war Association a series of “MEMORIES” in the form of one-page stories relate many of the Battalion’s experiences from the “other ranks” soldiers’ point-of-view.

It appears that the documents were written in the early 1970s, a full 50-years after the end of The Great War and are a valuable social history of soldiers’ experiences as told in their own words about the events that happened a half-century ago to them, and now a full century for us. This is the first of the series, and suffice to say, the reference, names, experiences, and strong immediacy of these stories bring the men of the 18th Battalion alive.

[ii] Notation at bottom of document: Rec. 5th Oct 70. Posted 3rd Oct.

[iii] Sergeant-Drummer George Llewellyn Thomas, reg. no. 53975. Enlisted at Galt, Ontario October 24, 1914 and probably was known to my Grand-Father, William Robb Dewar, reg. no. 53902.

[iv] Dr. John Henry Ratz of Elmira.

[v] John Alexander McIntosh who would have a distinguished career in World War 1 and 2 and was an important figure in Galt business and society.

[vi] Canadian Pacific Railway.

[vii] Sergeant Philip Sydney Thorpe, reg. no. 53514 joined the Battalion in Woodstock, Ontario on October 21, 1914.

[viii] Most likely Alfred Devine, reg. no. 53337 who enlisted with the Battalion in Windsor, Ontario on November 3, 1914.

[ix] Inflammation of the kidneys.

[x] This person not found.

The Drummer-Sergeant 18th Battalion Association[i] Windsor and Detroit Branch *MEMORIES* One of the best-known, best light, and friendliest men in the ranks of the Eighteenth was a late…