Happy New Year 2008!

Happy New Year 2008!, originally uploaded by johnwmacdonald.

Maple Tree & Snow

Maple Tree & Snow, originally uploaded by johnwmacdonald.

Fire & Water

Fire & Water, originally uploaded by johnwmacdonald.

The fam went for a walk on Parliament Hill on Boxing Day. The weather was amazing for a winter's day out and about. Hope you stayed out of the shopping malls, too.

Matthew's a Good Boy

Matthew's a Good Boy, originally uploaded by johnwmacdonald.

Matthew

Matthew, originally uploaded by johnwmacdonald.

A photo from July 2007. Thought it was cute so I posted it.

Pop Pop Pop Pop Pop

The answer to the question when parenting *actually* begins.

GGLA Group Photo

GGLA Group Photo, originally uploaded by johnwmacdonald.

Ottawa, Rideau Hall -- The 2007 Governor General's Literary Award Winners, plus a couple of dignataries thrown in for good measure. 13 December 2007.

Her Excellency the Right Honourable Michaëlle Jean

Her Excellency the Right Honourable Michaëlle Jean, originally uploaded by johnwmacdonald.

Her Excellency the Right Honourable Michaëlle Jean, Governor General of Canada at Rideau Hall, Ottawa, Canada - 13 December 2007.

Michael Ondaatje, O.C

Michael Ondaatje, originally uploaded by johnwmacdonald.

GG Literary Award winning author Michael Ondaatje was one of the 33 invited participants at the Art Matters conference held at Rideau Hall 13 December 2007 in conjunction with the Governor General's Literary Awards. I am so glad I did not have to pull out my sketch book this time around.

The content of the programme's discussion revolved around three main areas: literature and commitment, literature and commerce, and finally, literature and communication. Her Excellency the Right Honourable Michaëlle Jean (and her husband, both being true to their passion for the arts) began the event by saying, "We see this institution as a place for dialogue, reflection and sharing. We want to throw its doors wide open to new ideas and current events, and for creative thought to flow through its historic hallways."

rob mclennan - white

Ottawa resident and UofA writer in residence, rob mclennan launches his first novel, white, tonight at the Ottawa Art Gallery, 7pm. More information here.

Ain't no Mountain High Enough

Tammi Terrell and Marvin Gaye, Ain't no Mountain High Enough

Amy Winehouse

Amy Winehouse, Tears Dry on Their Own.
(alternate link)

The Pickover Effect

Clifford A. Pickover has this website that has legions of faithful readers. One particular page he has created is the popular RealityCarnival.Com which is re-directed to http://sprott.physics.wisc.edu/pickover/pc/realitycarnival.html. Basically, it's a mish-mash of hyperlinks to web pages that run the gamut to all that is wacky and insightful about the Internet. The linked pages all are provided with some text for each day's link.

When he linked to one of my photos on 6 November 2007 it drew many hundreds of hits to my website. He wrote of the photo of Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, "We will never know the woman's intent nor her inner hopes, desires, and fears. She is an enigma, frozen at the edge of time." This week (see his entry for 7 December 2007) he linked to another photo on my site, Ditch Digging, and the hits to my site rolled in again! So, I just thought I might pass on the link to the reality carnival to my readers in case you are interested getting your daily fix. And if you're here from Pickover's site, welcome.

Dave Cooper aka Hector Mumbly

Dave Cooper aka Hector Mumbly, originally uploaded by johnwmacdonald.

Popular artist and now author, Dave Cooper (aka Hector Mumbly) appeared today, 9 December 2007, at a friendly and courteous bookstore that I am proud to say I am a regular customer.

Cooper, er... Hector Mumbly appeared for a book signing at Collected Works Bookstore and Coffeebar. He graciously took a couple of minutes for a quick photo outside the store. Cooper, if you have not heard of him before, is a talented Ottawa artist who hit it big time south of the border with a gallery showing in L.A.

He related to me that he always wanted to be a children's author ever since he was kid. I bought a copy for my own son. However, one day I'll have to explain why he inscribed the book to "John" instead of Matthew...

You can see more of Dave Cooper's work on his website and on Flickr

See also David Scrimshaw's flickr photos at the pre-L.A. opening at Artguise: flickr.com/photos/davidscrimshaw/sets/72157603309298429/s...

Bret Hart

Bret Hart, originally uploaded by johnwmacdonald.

Bret 'The Hitman' Hart hit Ottawa this afternoon 9 December 2007 with some early-bird fans showing up at 6:30am to meet their hero. He only took the stage at 2pm. That's dedication!

Hart appeared at an Ottawa store I don't really care to advertise this time. (I still find it astonishing that common politeness can fly out the window in the presence of authors when some staff go on a power trip with 'the media'.)

Feel free to purchase a print of the great wrestler, Bret Hart, here on my recent blog post, http://www.johnwmacdonald.com/blog/2009/01/bret-hart.html

Jean Chretien & Baby Tattoo

Jean Chretien & Baby Tattoo, originally uploaded by johnwmacdonald.

Mom got her book signed and the baby picked up a temporary ink souvenier from former Prime Minister Jean Chretien at a book signing event at Chapters in Ottawa, 7 December 2007. Chretien was a no show at the Ottawa International Writers Festival in October due to a sudden illness. He was a 'signing machine' tonight as the store was at full capacity for the appearance of the former PM.

© All rights reserved. johnwmacdonald.com

Shelagh Rogers & Benoit Bourque

Shelagh Rogers & Benoit Bourque, originally uploaded by johnwmacdonald.

Shelagh Rogers and Benoit Bourque were co-hosts at the the 2007 Canadian Folk Music Awards held at the Canadian Museum of Civilzation in Gatineau, Quebec, 1 December 2007. Benoit appeared on today's edition (December 7th) of Sounds Like Canada on CBC Radio One.

Dave Bidini

Dave Bidini, originally uploaded by johnwmacdonald.

Dave Bidini read from a few chapters of his latest book, "Around the World in 57 1/2 Gigs" (McClelland & Stewart, $32.99). The chapter on the band's China tour is worth the price of the book alone. It's been about two years since I last saw Dave read, coincidentally, at the same venue - Collected Works Bookstore and Coffeebar. He's a good shit.

2007 Canadian Folk Music Awards

2007 Canadian Folk Music Awards.

I edited these photos -- which are for sale (print and/or online use)-- to the music of T. Nile which I discovered at the ceremony on the weekend. Listen to some of her wonderful music here. Thanks goes to Thom Fountain who invited me to take the award photos backstage at the Canadian Museum of Civilization. (The studio lighting was a basic three light setup: two umbrellas at approx. 45 degrees at 1/2 power and one strobe 1/8 power from behind to provide separation from the background.)

More information on the 2007 winners are at the official Canadian Folk Music Awards web site.

Canadian Folk Festival Awards Photographers 2007

Canadian Folk Festival Awards Photographers 2007, originally uploaded by johnwmacdonald.

Fun times!