John W. MacDonald

Bunny Matty Cookie Sippy

and messy.

After Eggleston

http://www.egglestontrust.com/

Ross & Friend

summer of 2007 -- Ottawa.

Sharon Harris

Poet, photographer, Sharon Harris. She is the author of the book of poetry/visual art, Avatar, published by Mercury Press (2006). I had the pleasure of meeting her at the Factory Reading Series, 19 July 2007. Her website is here www.iloveyougalleries.com.

Estrellita Karsh

Estrellita Karsh in conversation with Ottawa Citizen columnist Paul Gessell in the Karsh suite at the Fairmont Château Laurier in Ottawa, July 2007.
_________

"For 18 years, from 1980 until 1998 Fairmont Château Laurier was home to famous photographer Yousuf Karsh and his wife Estrellita. In 1998, to commemorate the Karsh's long and warm relationship with the hotel, Suite 358 was renamed the The Karsh Suite. Today, Fairmont Château Laurier's general manager Claude J. Sauvé and Mrs. Estrellita Karsh introduced nine beautiful original Yousuf Karsh photographs, which now adorn the walls of The Karsh Suite."

Flower Bud

Feist

Tonight I just reworked a photo from Feist's show on Parliament Hill from the 2007 Canada Day evening show. Pearl sent me a reminder of Feist's recent appearance on The Rick Mercer Report. You can view the November 25th episode which is online here: www.cbc.ca/mercerreport/video.html Thanks for the head's up, Pearl!

No Comment

I was going to mention a blonde joke but the photo speaks for itself I think. But I assume she was just trying for a self-portrait with the crowd in the background seeing that the camera is pointing the 'wrong' way. Gotta hand it to the boyfriend though. Click here for another photo of the scene.

Shhh

Blossom

Apple blossom

strawberry candy macro

(click to see strobist details.)

If Elvis Was a Janitor...

... he'd probably look like this.

Mixed Message

Stéphane Dion

Suzie McNeil

Canadian singer, Suzie McNeil rehearses during a sound check on Parliament Hill the day before Canada Day.

Check out her web site www.suziemcneil.ca for more info.

Toonie Toes

My girls posing with a 2008 Canadian 2 dollar coin aka a toonie.

My photos are embiggened

We'll see how this goes for now. Happy viewing.

Remember Diplomacy

Governor General Welcomes His Highness the Aga Khan at Rideau Hall

OTTAWA—19 November 2008

Her Excellency the Right Honourable Michaëlle Jean, Governor General of Canada, officially welcomes His Highness the Aga Khan, Imam (spiritual leader) of the Shia Ismaili Muslims and Founder and Chairman of the Aga Khan Development Network. His Highness is visiting Canada on the occasion of his Golden Jubilee. (via GG website)

Interesting pop-cultural tidbit: American actress Rita Hayworth was his step-mother.

Please contact me for usage and licensing of this photo. Prints of various sizes are also available here: http://johnwmacdonald.com/Aga_Khan_GG_ContactSheet.jpg

Silent Auction - Quill & Quire Magazine, November 2008

Silent Auction - Quill & Quire Magazine, November 2008, originally uploaded by johnwmacdonald.

I want to do an auction similar to what I did last year with my pen sketch of Michael Ondaatje. Here's a link to that to refresh your memory: flickr.com/photos/johnwmacdonald/502048410/

Here's the story this time around.

In the November 2008 edition of Quill & Quire I have an event photo that was published. It is of Kerry Pither's Ottawa book launch in which Maher Arar is pictured at the signing table. I took the magazine to Monia Mazigh's own book launch a few weeks ago to get the copy signed by some of the figures present that evening with the intention of auctioning the copy of this magazine.

I was so impressed by author Kerry Pither's promise that 'any Dark Days profits made by the author will be donated to Amnesty International Canada.'

Inspired by Kerry Pither, I want to donate 50% of the proceeds from this auction to Amnesty International Canada as well. Please email me at john@johwmacdonald.com to give me your bids. I will keep your name anonymous unless you request otherwise. Let's start the bidding at $5.95 shall we? (It's the cost of the magazine.)

Please contact me, john@johnwmacdonald.com by Thursday 25 November 2008 by 11:59pm EST with your best offer. You have seven days starting 18 November, ending the 25th of November.

Bid starts at $5.95 CDN. I take PayPal.com and cash or cheque. 50% of proceeds from this auction with benefit the Amnesty International Canada. Thanks for your support!

The signatures are indicated on the photo on the flickr page here:
www.flickr.com/photos/johnwmacdonald/3042032672/

- Kerry Pither, author of Dark Days: The Story of Four Canadians Tortured in the Name of Fighting Terror.
- Monia Mazigh, author of Hope and Despair: My Struggle to Free My Husband, Maher Arar.
- Maher Arar, Canadian citizen who was detained and tortured in a Syrian prison.
- Alex Neve, Secretary General of Amnesty International Canada.
- Susan Renouf, of McClelland & Stewart Books.

(if you have a blog or other public forum please feel free to promote this auction on my behalf.)

UPDATE:
The 'auction' is over. The starting bid of $5.95 was not enough of a teaser I suppose. Maybe I should have started the bidding off at $595.00? That's the thing about these things, you never know if lighting will strike twice. It sounded like a good idea at the time. Thanks to Kate Heartfield and Kathryn Hunt who helped promote this for me on their blogs.

Sia on Letterman

Sia - Soon We'll Be Found, performed on David Letterman last night. Wow!

Mothers of Canada

Ottawa, Ontario -- 11 November 2008
Avril Stachnik of Waskatenau, Alberta is the 2008 Memorial Silver Cross Mother. She laid a wreath at the National War Memorial at the Remembrance Day Ceremony in Ottawa.

Torch

Torch, originally uploaded by johnwmacdonald.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
- Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae

War Memorial

Ottawa, Ontario -- 11 November 2008

Peter Underhill & Torch

Peter Underhill & Torch, originally uploaded by johnwmacdonald.

Ottawa -- 11 November 2008

Peter Underhill holds the torch prior to the ceremony which is to be passed through various soldier's hands at the site of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

from CBC files: "Only one Canadian veteran from the First World War is still alive — John Babcock, 108, who was born on an Ontario farm and lives in the United States. Babcock participated in Ottawa's ceremony by video conference, "passing" a lit torch, a reference to Lt.-Col. John McCrae's famous poem, In Flanders Fields."

11 November 2008

11 November 2008, originally uploaded by johnwmacdonald.

A happy coincidence from last year as I saw the same lady today.

11 November 2007

Monia Mazigh Book Launch

Monia Mazigh Book Lauch, originally uploaded by johnwmacdonald.

Monia Mazigh pauses in reflection while answering questions on stage at an Ottawa International Writers Festival event in her honour.

From the OIWF online event blurb:

HOPE AND DESPAIR: MY STRUGGLE TO FREE MY HUSBAND, MAHER ARAR
with Monia Mazigh
Saint Brigid’s Centre for the Arts and Humanities
(314 Saint Patrick)

On September 26, 2002, Maher Arar boarded an American Airlines plane bound for New York, returning early from vacation with his family because a work project needed his attention. He was a Canadian citizen, a telecommunications engineer and entrepreneur who had never been in trouble with the law. His nightmare began when he was pulled aside by Immigration officials at JFK airport, questioned, held without access to a lawyer, and ultimately deported to Syria on the suspicion that he had terrorist links. He would remain there, tortured and imprisoned for over one year. Meanwhile his wife, Monia, and their two children stayed on visiting family in Tunisia, unaware that their lives were about to be torn apart.

Upon her return to Canada, Monia was horrified at the media’s and public’s willingness to assume that the Canadian police and intelligence agencies, and their American counterparts, take on her husband as a terrorist was correct. She began a tireless campaign to bring public attention and government action to her husband’s plight, eventually turning the tide of public opinion in Arar’s favour, and gaining his release and return to Canada. Of her willingness to speak out, she has said that she was never afraid: “I had lost my life. I didn’t have more to lose.”

This is a remarkable story of personal courage, and of an extraordinary woman who lets us into her life so that other Canadians can understand the denial of rights and the discarding of human rights her family suffered. Candid, poignant, and inspiring, this is the most important book of the season.

Monia Mazigh

Monia Mazigh, originally uploaded by johnwmacdonald.

Monia Mazigh at the podium reading from her book. If there was a ever a prouder look on someone's face I haven't seen it. She's beaming.

HOPE AND DESPAIR: MY STRUGGLE TO FREE MY HUSBAND, MAHER ARAR
with Monia Mazigh
Saint Brigid’s Centre for the Arts and Humanities
(314 Saint Patrick)

On September 26, 2002, Maher Arar boarded an American Airlines plane bound for New York, returning early from vacation with his family because a work project needed his attention. He was a Canadian citizen, a telecommunications engineer and entrepreneur who had never been in trouble with the law. His nightmare began when he was pulled aside by Immigration officials at JFK airport, questioned, held without access to a lawyer, and ultimately deported to Syria on the suspicion that he had terrorist links. He would remain there, tortured and imprisoned for over one year. Meanwhile his wife, Monia, and their two children stayed on visiting family in Tunisia, unaware that their lives were about to be torn apart.

Upon her return to Canada, Monia was horrified at the media’s and public’s willingness to assume that the Canadian police and intelligence agencies, and their American counterparts, take on her husband as a terrorist was correct. She began a tireless campaign to bring public attention and government action to her husband’s plight, eventually turning the tide of public opinion in Arar’s favour, and gaining his release and return to Canada. Of her willingness to speak out, she has said that she was never afraid: “I had lost my life. I didn’t have more to lose.”

From the OIWF online event blurb:

This is a remarkable story of personal courage, and of an extraordinary woman who lets us into her life so that other Canadians can understand the denial of rights and the discarding of human rights her family suffered. Candid, poignant, and inspiring, this is the most important book of the season.

Alexandra & Grampa Joe Clark

Alexandra & Grampa Joe Clark, originally uploaded by johnwmacdonald.

The Right Honourable Joe Clark's granddaughter, Alexandra, takes a stroll in the Rideau Hall ballroom prior to her grandmother's (Maureen McTeer) award ceremony. Needless to say, the lovely two-and-a-half-year-old stole the show.
________

OTTAWA—Her Excellency the Right Honourable Michaëlle Jean, Governor General of Canada, will present the Governor General’s Awards in Commemoration of the Persons Case to six laureates during a ceremony to be held at Rideau Hall, on Friday, November 7, 2008, at 10 a.m.

These awards salute Canadian contributions to the advancement of women’s equality and celebrate Canada’s evolution as an inclusive society. With the support of former governor general
Edward Schreyer, the awards were instituted by the Government of Canada in 1979 to honour the 50th anniversary of the Persons Case and the five Alberta women whose determination led to a landmark victory in the struggle of Canadian women for equality.

The 2008 recipients are:
Shelagh Day, Vancouver, British Columbia
France Ennis, St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador
Beverley Jacobs, Ohsweken, Ontario
Maureen A. McTeer, Ottawa, Ontario
Maïr Verthuy, Montréal, Quebec
Benjamin Barry (Youth Award), Ottawa and Toronto, Ontario

For additional information about the Persons Case award or the laureates, please visit the Status Women Canada Web site at www.swc-cfc.gc.ca.

Sally Armstrong

Sally Armstrong, originally uploaded by johnwmacdonald.

Same ol' podium shot as last night with M G Vassanji, but I kind of like the lines in the photo: from microphone, to head, waist, arm, to hand and finger. It's a keeper. Might need a tighter crop though.
__________

From the OIWF online event blurb:
"BITTER ROOTS TENDER SHOOTS: THE UNCERTAIN FATE OF AFGHANISTAN'S WOMEN
With Sally Armstrong
Saint Brigid’s Centre for the Arts and Humanities
(314 Saint Patrick)

Everyone knows that Canada’s military is in Afghanistan, but what they don’t know is how much the average Canadian is contributing to aid efforts in that country. In Bitter Roots, Tender Shoots, respected journalist Sally Armstrong revisits Afghanistan to compare women’s lives pre- and post-Taliban, interviewing Afghan and Western women who are dedicated to improving health, education, culture, religion, and human rights. Armstrong connects these stories with the analysis of experts and considers the grassroots efforts of Canadians and the dedicated tax dollars being spent by the Canadian government. Bitter Roots, Tender Shoots is a moving portrayal of the lives of women and girls in Afghanistan in 2008."

Hope and Despair

***See my silent auction here***

http://www.johnwmacdonald.com/blog/2008/11/silent-auction-quill-quire-magazine.html

Hope and Despair, originally uploaded by johnwmacdonald.

Maher Arar turns for a quick look during his wife's book launch at Saint Brigid's Centre for the Arts & Humanities, Ottawa on 6 November 2008.

_________

From the OIWF website blurb online:

"HOPE AND DESPAIR: MY STRUGGLE TO FREE MY HUSBAND, MAHER ARAR
with Monia Mazigh
Saint Brigid’s Centre for the Arts and Humanities
(314 Saint Patrick)

On September 26, 2002, Maher Arar boarded an American Airlines plane bound for New York, returning early from vacation with his family because a work project needed his attention. He was a Canadian citizen, a telecommunications engineer and entrepreneur who had never been in trouble with the law. His nightmare began when he was pulled aside by Immigration officials at JFK airport, questioned, held without access to a lawyer, and ultimately deported to Syria on the suspicion that he had terrorist links. He would remain there, tortured and imprisoned for over one year. Meanwhile his wife, Monia, and their two children stayed on visiting family in Tunisia, unaware that their lives were about to be torn apart.

Upon her return to Canada, Monia was horrified at the media’s and public’s willingness to assume that the Canadian police and intelligence agencies, and their American counterparts, take on her husband as a terrorist was correct. She began a tireless campaign to bring public attention and government action to her husband’s plight, eventually turning the tide of public opinion in Arar’s favour, and gaining his release and return to Canada. Of her willingness to speak out, she has said that she was never afraid: “I had lost my life. I didn’t have more to lose.”

This is a remarkable story of personal courage, and of an extraordinary woman who lets us into her life so that other Canadians can understand the denial of rights and the discarding of human rights her family suffered. Candid, poignant, and inspiring, this is the most important book of the season."

Power of Photography

The impact of the still image is very powerful. Take these five photos, for example, that were posted on PDN online which allegedly 'cinched the election for Obama'. There are probably more than just five, but this is a good starting point.

M G Vassanji

M G Vassanji, originally uploaded by johnwmacdonald.

M G Vassanji speaks about his latest book, A Place Within: Rediscovering India published in 2008 by Doubleday Canada. He was a featured reader as part of the Ottawa International Writers Festival.

For more information about the author see his personal website:
www.mgvassanji.com/

M G Vassanji & Neil Wilson

M G Vassanji & Neil Wilson, originally uploaded by johnwmacdonald.

M G Vassanji speaking with Ottawa International Writers Festival director and host, Neil Wilson, after a lengthy and interesting conversation on stage at St. Brigid's Centre for the Arts & Humanities.

For more information about the author see his personal website:
www.mgvassanji.com/

War Is Over!

If you want it.
-John Lennon

'Round Midnight

Feeding time?
'Round Midnight, then at 3am, then 5ish, then 8am, then 11ish, and so on. I love it.