Happy New Year 2008!
This page is for archival purposes only.
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.
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, Governor General of Canada at Rideau Hall, Ottawa, Canada - 13 December 2007.
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."
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 '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
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.
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 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.