Maher Arar - Dark Days

Maher Arar - Dark Days, originally uploaded by johnwmacdonald.

Maher Arar leans over to thank author Kerry Pither as she inscribes copies of her book at the end of the panel discussion. Both Abdullah Almalki, Maher Arar were in the audience this evening.

From the OIWF website:
Ottawa Book Launch: "Dark Days: Four Canadians Tortured in the Name of Fighting Terror" With Kerry Pither
Library and Archives Auditorium, 395 Wellington Street
Alcohol-Free reception and signing begins at 6:00 PM

Join host Ken Rockburn and outspoken human rights advocate Kerry Pither for a roundtable on Canadian national security investigations, featuring Shirley Heafey, former two-term Chair of the Commission for Public Complaints Against the RCMP and former Head of Investigations of the Security and Intelligence Review Committee; Sheema Khan, Globe and Mail columnist and former Chair of the Canadian Council on American Islamic Relations; Alex Neve, Secretary General of Amnesty International Canada; and Jeff Sallot, Professor of Journalism at Carleton University and former Globe and Mail Senior Political Correspondent.

George Murray

George Murray, originally uploaded by johnwmacdonald.

Ninja G in the Ottawa spotlight at the Tree Reading Series' new venue Ottawa Art Gallery, Arts Court Library on 26 August 2008. More interesting lit bits over on his hugely popular and witty site www.bookninja.com.

Pixlr

Saw this application, Pixlr via Jörg Colberg's weblog. Pixlr is a free online image editor. I tried it out on a sample .jpg image and it seems pretty impressive (and very much photoshop-like) and worth a try at the very least.

Beijing Break

Haven't posted anything on the blog or even thought of posting much since Russia invaded Georgia and the start of the Olympic Games. Also been taking some time to fix up the basement. In the meantime, there's lots to watch on CBC with some great coverage on TV.

Carleton Cooper's Hawk

Carleton Falcon, originally uploaded by johnwmacdonald.

I spotted a Cooper's Hawk near the Carleton University tennis courts today.

Brewer Softball

Brewer Softball, originally uploaded by johnwmacdonald.

A player smacks a grounder for a base hit during a Sunday afternoon game of softball in Ottawa's Brewer Park.

Bike Polo - Cymbal

Bike Polo - Cymbal, originally uploaded by johnwmacdonald.

One of the rules in bike polo is when a player foul's out (i.e. steps off the pedal onto the ground during play) they must ride to one side of the hard court and bang a post with their mallet. Well, anyone just bang a post...banging a cymbal is just that much classier.

North Side Polo Invitational

2008 North Side Bike Polo Invitational in Ottawa's Little Italy. Go for the polo stay for the sandwiches at DiRienzo's.

Señorrita's Beauty

Señorrita's Beauty, originally uploaded by johnwmacdonald.

Señorrita's Beauty

Glenn Milchem - Blue Rodeo

Glenn Milchem - Blue Rodeo, originally uploaded by johnwmacdonald.

Glenn Milchem, drummer for Blue Rodeo who performed on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on Canada Day - 1 July 2008.

Diane Dufresne

Diane Dufresne, originally uploaded by johnwmacdonald.

Despite being born and raised in Montreal, Quebec, I don't pretend to know anything or any songs by Diane Dufresne. In fact it's taken a month for me to muster the courage to post a photo of the singer since her performance on Canada Day on Parliament Hill. She scares me so.

I have found her official website somewhat informative and have come to be less apprehensive about her stage persona. More info about this lady here:
www.dianedufresne.com/dd/english/frameset.html

Place Setting

Place Setting, originally uploaded by johnwmacdonald.

I was hired as the event photographer for a lovely couple's 50th wedding anniversary last weekend. Here is a photo of the dinner place setting at the Brookstreet Hotel and resort. I did a mix of posed formal portraits and candids during the 2 hour timeframe. It was a ball being a fly on the wall snapping away. It would be great if I could do more of this work. Give me a call or send me an email if you like my photos and want to hire me on as your event photographer.

Puppy

Puppy, originally uploaded by johnwmacdonald.

"Hey. That man there. He take you photo. Ha. Ha. Awe. Such cute dog."

Prohibited items in Olympic Green

The items? Oh, the usual: "guns, grenades, gun powder, explosives, and other dangerous articles" like "professional camera equipment"...

from The Official Website of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games August 8-24, 2008


"(BEIJING, April 18) -- Audience members of "Good Luck Beijing" pregames events occurring at the Olympic Green are urged to respect guidelines set forth to ensure the safety of those entering and exiting the site.

In accordance with national law, like elsewhere in the country, guns, grenades, gun powder, explosives, and other dangerous articles in this category are forbidden. In addition, everyday objects that may potentially affect security, such as glass bottles, hot water thermoses, coolers, and other such items used to carry things cannot be brought into competition grounds. No banners or other material bearing slogans are permitted. With the exception of strollers and wheelchairs, no supportive equipment is allowed. Whistles, horns, radios, walkie-talkies, speakers, drums, sticks, or sharp objects that may be harmful are also not permitted. Sports equipment, suitcases, large bags, and professional camera equipment will not be allowed into the Olympic Green.

Fans have thus far acted cooperatively with enforcement personnel. According to reports, the Olympic Green area will enforce the same rules during Games-time."

Bike Polo - Jen Books

Bike Polo - Jen Books, originally uploaded by johnwmacdonald.

Ottawa's Jen Books at the 2008 North Side Polo Invitational in Ottawa's Little Italy. Go for the polo stay for the sandwiches at DiRienzo's.

Aug 1 2008 - Aug 4 2008
North Side Polo Invite 2008 Schedule of Events.
Friday Aug.1 NSPI kick off party. 6pm @ World exchange plaza, Alleycat/Scavenger hunt. $10Alleycat ends at Ev Tremblay park. Polo til dark.After party @ B-Dubs place. 41 Arthur St. Just north of Somerset.$1 BBQ. $2 Beers. 50/50 draw. Get drunk.

Saturday Aug.2 Polo round robin. 10am-9pm. Get ready for the best time of your life! 9:30 Simpsons Trivia Alleycat. You don't have to be fast.Race ends @ Club Saw , 67 Nicholas St. Goldsprint qualifier, hang with all your friends, get yer drink on till 2am.

Sunday Aug.3 Polo final. 10am-8:30pm.Awards party. Goldsprint finals. 9:30pm-2amGet yer drink again. @ Club Saw, 67 Nicholas St.

Monday Aug 4 Continental breakfast @ TBA.Hardcourt Bike Polo Open Forum. 10/11am Group

Where? 108 Beech St. at Champagne

Bike Polo Chum

Bike Polo Chum, originally uploaded by johnwmacdonald.

What's going on here?
A bike polo player / photographer climbs the fence to get a higher vantage point from which to take photos of the hard court below.

North Side Polo Invitational

2008 North Side Bike Polo Invitational in Ottawa's Little Italy. Go for the polo stay for the sandwiches at DiRienzo's.

Aug 1 2008 - Aug 4 2008
North Side Polo Invite 2008 Schedule of Events.
Friday Aug.1 NSPI kick off party. 6pm @ World exchange plaza, Alleycat/Scavenger hunt. $10Alleycat ends at Ev Tremblay park. Polo til dark.After party @ B-Dubs place. 41 Arthur St. Just north of Somerset.$1 BBQ. $2 Beers. 50/50 draw. Get drunk.

Saturday Aug.2 Polo round robin. 10am-9pm. Get ready for the best time of your life! 9:30 Simpsons Trivia Alleycat. You don't have to be fast.Race ends @ Club Saw , 67 Nicholas St. Goldsprint qualifier, hang with all your friends, get yer drink on till 2am.

Sunday Aug.3 Polo final. 10am-8:30pm.Awards party. Goldsprint finals. 9:30pm-2amGet yer drink again. @ Club Saw, 67 Nicholas St.

Monday Aug 4 Continental breakfast @ TBA.Hardcourt Bike Polo Open Forum. 10/11am Group

Where? 108 Beech St. at Champagne

North Side Polo Invitational - Bike Polo

North Side Polo Invitational - Bike Polo, originally uploaded by johnwmacdonald.

Ottawa August 2008 -- North Side Polo Invitational

Alex - Bike Polo

Alex - Bike Polo, originally uploaded by johnwmacdonald.

Alex reaches and connects with the ball during one of the many games of the 2008 North Side Bike Polo Invitational in Ottawa's Little Italy. Go for the polo stay for the sandwiches at DiRienzo's.

____________________
from http://www.bikepolo.ca/tourney/2008/north-side-bike-polo-invitational-2008:

Aug 1 2008 - Aug 4 2008
North Side Polo Invite 2008 Schedule of Events.
Friday Aug.1 NSPI kick off party. 6pm @ World exchange plaza, Alleycat/Scavenger hunt. $10Alleycat ends at Ev Tremblay park. Polo til dark.After party @ B-Dubs place. 41 Arthur St. Just north of Somerset.$1 BBQ. $2 Beers. 50/50 draw. Get drunk.

Saturday Aug.2 Polo round robin. 10am-9pm. Get ready for the best time of your life! 9:30 Simpsons Trivia Alleycat. You don't have to be fast.Race ends @ Club Saw , 67 Nicholas St. Goldsprint qualifier, hang with all your friends, get yer drink on till 2am.

Sunday Aug.3 Polo final. 10am-8:30pm.Awards party. Goldsprint finals. 9:30pm-2amGet yer drink again. @ Club Saw, 67 Nicholas St.

Monday Aug 4 Continental breakfast @ TBA.Hardcourt Bike Polo Open Forum. 10/11am Group

Fouhse & Berube

Fouhse & Berube, originally uploaded by johnwmacdonald.

Jessica Ruano

Jessica Ruano, originally uploaded by johnwmacdonald.

I went to photograph a piece of artwork by David Cation at Guy Berube's La Petite Mort Gallery this afternoon. During the shoot Jessica Ruano of Ottawa Arts Newsletter saw me in the alley snapping away. I asked her if she wanted to pose for me for an impromptu photo. Here's a shot.

David Cation is in the gallery's show called RIDE ME / The Art of Urban Transport
Group Exhibit curated by Daniel Delisle
August 1 - 31, 2008
Vernissage is tonight: Friday, August 1 / 7 - 10pm
Tunes by dj Christopher Jabbour