November, Revisited.

I apologise for neglecting my blogging duties lately.  It's not that I haven't had ideas, I just lack the energy to put it all down in some kind of logical manner. November's weather was very gloomy, and winter has set in for the season.  I was considering whether I wanted to do a Remembrance Day post, but the Sunday before the date, we were invited out for dinner so that meant if I wanted to write something I would be up most of the night.  Then that night we heard the news that there was a plane crash at our local airport.  This was something that had never happened here before.  Sure, there were sometimes accidents with float planes, but never a passenger plane.  With sick hearts, we went to bed knowing that in our small area, it was a certainty that we would know at least one person who died in that crash.  We learned the names of the victims the next day.  There were three local people who were killed, as well as the pilot, and copilot.  Miraculously there had been 2 survivors.
That was a dreadful time of mourning for our town.

The other thing that has been occupying my every waking moment was getting ready to transfer to another elementary school library in our area.  It was very bittersweet to say good bye to such a wonderful group of students and teachers.  It was hard work trying to tie up all the loose ends I had built up over the dozen or so years I had been at that school. But I received such a fabulous send-off in a school wide assembly - it was truly overwhelming.  I am still going through all the lovely notes and drawings I received from the students.

The other preoccupation around here lately has been antics of Toronto's mayor.  It is a Canadian truism that everybody hates Toronto (except Torontonians).  While some might think that it is a western Canadian thing --  I can assure you that Northern Ontario has a much bigger grudge.  So of course we can delight in the world wide mockery that Rob Ford has made of his city!  Almost every day there he was on the news making an even bigger ass of himself than the day before!  My favourite comedians didn't have any trouble coming up with something to say- they just basically needed to repeat his quotes.  I love the look on Stephen Colbert's face after Ford's last infamous quote.

But as always, Rick Mercer manages to bring everything into perspective.

I was dying to write something about this ridiculous excuse for a public figure, but I have tried not to be too political on this blog, although it has been difficult at times.  Why did I wish to reign in my very strong opinions? -- Just that I had no wish to offend anyone.  So imagine how thrilled I was when I read Richard Armitage's statements in the New York Moves article!  Nothing he said really surprised me, but I was glad that he had the courage to share his opinions.  Since he is a British citizen, it isn't hard to believe that he would be pro gun control and pro National Health Care. Most Canadians would also agree. (Not too sure about Rob Ford, though!)

Well, with all this talk about guns and Rob Ford, I can't help thinking about one of my favourite songs from Elton John's fabulous "Rock of the Westies" album.

These lyrics in particular:

Like a child when his toys have been stepped on

That's how it all seemed to me

I burst the bubble that both of us lived in

And I'm damned if I'll ever get rid of this guilt that I feel

And if looks could kill then I'd be a dead man

Your friends and mine don't call no more

Hell, I thought it was best but now I feel branded

Breaking up's sometimes like breaking the law

Breaking up's sometimes like breaking the law

And I feel like a bullet in the gun of Robert Ford

I'm low as a paid assassin is

You know I'm cold as a hired sword

I'm so ashamed can't we patch it up

You know I can't think straight no more

You make me feel like a bullet honey in the gun of Robert Ford

I Feel Like a Bullet (in the gun of Robert Ford /Elton John

Canadian Steele

2013 is the 140th anniversary of Canada's national police force - The Royal Canadian Mounted Police.  Canada Day seems to me a fitting time to pay tribute to one of Canada's most well known symbols.

 Is there any more iconic figure of a Canadian than a mountie? Dressed in bright red, mounted on a horse, upholding  justice in the wild frontier.... it's enough to make a fan girl's heart go aflutter!

"When I'm calling you-oo-hoo-hoo-oo-oo-oo!"

Nelson Eddy and Jeannette MacDonald in Rose-Marie (1936)
Listen to Jeannette MacDonald sing!

An even more over-the-top version of this movie was made in 1954 

starring Howard Keel as Sgt. Bruce of the Mounties and Ann Blythe as Rose Marie.

I think that lady is laying across his big brass bed!

Who can forget Paul Gross as a Mountie in the television show Due South (1994-99)?

The Mountie Song /by the Arrogant Worms
has been nicely illustrated by clips from Due South
video created by Leony331

And a sillier mountie was never born than Duddly Do-Right!

Shown here with his commanding officer Inspector Fenwick

The problem with all these versions of Mounties is that they are all extreme caricatures of what a real mountie is supposed to be.

For a true-life example there is none better than Sam Steele, the unsung hero of the Klondike!

Here he is at Fort MacLeod, Alberta with his wife Marie Elizabeth Harwood.

Bruce Peel Special Collections Library, University of Alberta (2008.1.1.5.1.1)

A series of  commercials to honour special moments in Canadian history, called Heritage Minutes were broadcast on CBC several years ago.  Here is the one about Sam Steele.

A simple commercial is not enough to tell how special this man truly was.
Apparently there is a movie in the works, but not much has been heard about it for several years.

Might I suggest a certain actor for the main role?

He is extremely heroic

 and looks great on a horse.

But perhaps we need to see him with a moustache?

This graphic is my very untalented contribution.

 Also I have dressed him as a mountie once or twice before.

This graphic was shared with me awhile ago by a very talented friend!

Gone to better Stompin' grounds

Today Canada has lost one of its best promoters.  Stompin' Tom Connors passed away at the age of 77 years.  Growing up as I did, in the 1960s and '70s in Canada, you couldn't miss hearing one of Stompin' Tom's songs.  He was everywhere.  Stomping his foot in time with his music about anything and everything to do with Canada.  Whether you liked his music or not - you couldn't help singing along.  Every Canadian could relate to at least one of his songs. And no wonder -- he is credited with writing about 300 of them!  He sang about our history and traditions, our sports, our transportation, our work life and our time off.

He was proud of our country and not afraid to show it.  He made us proud too.  Thank you Tom, we will miss you.

As a teenager I never would have admitted to liking Stompin' Tom's music.  It would have been too embarrassing. I had never been a fan of country music, and he certainly didn't sound like anybody else who was popular on the radio.  But I couldn't help myself.  He was infectious!  So even if we were making fun of him, we were still enjoying ourselves and appreciating him in spite of ourselves.

I was particularly impressed with his song "Sudbury Saturday Night".   Anybody that would make up a song about the northern Ontario nickel mining town Sudbury was okay in my book! I loved his lyrical phrasing such as:

"The girls are out to Bingo as the boys are getting stinko, And we think no more of Inco on a Sudbury Saturday night."

(Inco was, and still is, a nickel mining company that is the main employer in Sudbury).  Being from a mining town myself, I could certainly relate to these lyrics!  Getting "stinko" (or drunk) has always been a popular thing to do on a Saturday night, especially in a mining town.  But not only that, I still think it is a very clever rhyme.

I found this wonderful concert of Stompin' Tom singing Live at the Horseshoe Tavern, thanks to the person who uploaded it today. It's a bit long, but the first song is Sudbury Saturday Night and the last one is My Stompin' Grounds, so if that is all you have time to listen to, those two will give you a great idea of what he is about. I found myself smiling all the way through it.

In this next video he explains to the interviewer how he came to be called "Stompin'" Tom.

He may not have lived to 100 as he hoped, but his songs and his memory will live on much longer in the great big crazy mishmash we like to call Canadian culture.

The Penny...dropped

This is where Phylly gets all sentimental about  pennies.  Why?  Because as of Feb. 4, 2013 the Canadian penny will no longer be included in our national currency.  I can't say I didn't see it coming.  They've been talking about getting rid of it for years.  But being a history buff, I hate to see the demise of such a colourful symbol of our country.

The last Canadian penny rolled off the production line at the Canadian Mint in May of last year.  But the termination of the penny from use in stores was postponed until after the Christmas season. Apparently it costs more to produce a penny than it is worth.  It isn't even made of copper anymore (other than an thin outer coating) but is mostly just steel.

Although I can understand the practical reasons for doing this, it doesn't make it easy to accept.  I know that Australia got rid of their penny coin years ago and doesn't seem to miss it.  But change is not easy, and making change will be much more complicated... by rounding up and rounding down!

 I am not as happy about the situation as this guy obviously is, but

I certainly couldn't explain this situation any better than he does!

Since there will be no more new pennies minted,
I guess if you are a Penny Lover  you will have to get your Pennies from Heaven!

I'll never forget this unusual musical 
Pennies From Heaven 
starring Steve Martin and Bernadette Peters.

Pennies From Heaven
(Scene with Steve Martin and Vernel Bagneris)



This next video is my favourite song about a penny.  (I didn't think The Beatles' Penny Lane should count because it's about a place, not the currency.)  I do love the harmony of The Bee Gees and this song is from the almost unknown album Mr. Natural, but it has some great songs on it.


Throw a Penny / Bee Gees


I suppose what  saddens me the most is the loss of understanding of all those great sayings about pennies.  How will future generations understand them if they don't know what a penny is?
Here are some sayings about pennies.

The most well known saying became the plot of an episode of The Twilight Zone back in the '60s.

The Twilight Zone: A Penny for Your Thoughts



A penny for your thoughts Mr. Armitage

FAULT magazine photo shoot 2012

Here's a Penny that I'd like to see in circulation!

Priceless!

Strombo interviews RA

George Stroumboloupolous with Richard Armitage
From Twitter (thanks to Tracey)

To say I was thrilled to hear that Richard Armitage was going to be interviewed on Canadian television by George Stroumboulopoulos is definitely an understatement.  George (or Strombo as he is affectionately called) purports to be everybody's boyfriend. So to have one boyfriend interview the other one was a "squee" overload!  But seriously, George is one of the best interviewers I have ever known so I knew Richard would be in for a treat.

Even though the actual interview happened on December 3rd, it didn't air until December 12. (What a torturous wait!) But right off the bat, Strombo hit all the right notes with his detailed introduction.  The usual questions that interviewers begin with, Richard has repeatedly answered in as varied and enthusastic manner as he can manage. (He could probably do an interview in his sleep now). Anyway, those questions were answered by Strombo's introductory montage before Richard even entered the stage.  So when he finally sat down for the interview, he looked rather relieved and intrigued for what was going to come.

The highlights of the interview for me were:

• Richard's insights into what might have inspired Tolkien's portrayal of the dwarven race.
• Strombo showed the clip of RA's speech at the Maori welcoming ceremony
• Richard's reaction when George and the audience donned their Gandalf hats.

• His obvious discomfort with the discussion of "naughty grass". (He is so endearingly conscientious.)
• Romana55's fanvid and Richard's reaction to that!

screencaps courtesy of RichardArmitageCentral

Apparently that was only a portion of the actual interview.  Here is another part.

The lucky fans that were in the audience remember a bit more of the interview than is shown here.  Here's hoping we get to see even more clips soon!

 Let me leave you with the fanvid Strombo highlighted which provoked such a hilarious response from RA.

by Romana55



RA in Toronto (Pt.2)

There was so much excitement about Richard Armitage's whirlwind trip to Toronto that I couldn't fit it into one post. It started out in Union Station when his train arrived at 7:00 am on December 3rd.  Canadian fans had to rise very early that morning to be ready to greet him but they couldn't miss this opportunity!

  Here is another fan's experience meeting the man himself! 

photo courtesy of Damzell

Known to her friends on the Forums as Damzelle, she has been a fan of Richard Armitage for over 10 years! Here is her account of the meeting:

 Leslieg and Puff and I met in Union Station at about 6 am. Leslieg had yellow roses for us to wear. She had the sign and a T-shirt to give to Richard that the Wellington fans had been wearing at the premiere. At 7 they handed out movie passes for the advance screening, Gandalf hats and mini-posters for the movie. I asked an official looking woman if Richard was coming. She said no. But another woman said he would be there around 8. 

"He's there!" And he was standing in a big crowd of people getting him to sign things and take photos. I was actually concerned that there didn't seem to be anyone protecting him. Leslieg got her sign signed and gave him the t-shirt. He was very gracious. They moved him over to the Hobbit door that was decorated up and 

he stood there doing taped interviews for quite a while. Then people moved closer and a girl ahead of me asked for a picture. He said fine and she handed her phone to me. I took the picture and then handed my phone to her. Puff and I sandwiched him and pictures were taken. I don't think I said anything to him. I don't think I looked at him. I literally have no clear memory of this point.

People were leaving. Then he was standing relatively alone and I went up and asked if he would sign my magazine. He did and I said thank you. He said, "Well thank you for coming." I looked at him like he was crazy and walked away.

More people left. I went up and got him to sign the mini-poster. That time I managed, "Thank you. You're a brilliant actor." I think he said thank you as I walked away.

They dragged him back for more pictures. I went up with one of the give-aways that turns out to be wrapping paper with pictures of all the dwarves on it. I asked him to sign it and started unfolding it. He said, "Are you looking for me?" He started helping me and said, "I'm on the fold." He signed it and said, "You can get them all." I once again looked at him like he was crazy and thought "but I only care about you." 

I explained that he'd signed things for me before that we'd put in an auction to raise money for Equality Now and that these things would also raise money for charity. He said, "Charity, that's wonderful!"

My overwhelming sense is that he was behaving very normally and trying to put everyone at their ease while we were crazed. He was wonderfully patient signing and posing for photos for about 45 minutes. And unfailingly lovely and cheerful the whole time when he must have been soooo tired. 

Damzelle gets his autograph! (photo courtesy of Jonia)

Then Puff and Leslieg and I had tickets for the talk show Strombo where they gave us more Gandalf hats and we watched him interview RA. Then we had to hot foot it to the theatre for the advanced screening. RA gave a very brief introduction and then ran off to catch a plane. It was a long FANTASTIC day.

Thanks so much for sharing your exciting experience with us Damzelle!  

The following video by the Space Channel not only interviews Richard but also many of his fans, as well as showing the hub bub at the station.

Here is another version of the fan event at Union Station, with more fan interviews. There is a particularly good interview of Damzell plus the complete studio interview of Richard Armitage where the interviewers unfortunately mispronounce his last name.

Next up: The Interview with George Stroumbopoulos!

RA in Toronto! (Pt.1)

Well, my New Year's Eve wish came true!  I had hoped that Richard Armitage might visit Toronto and on December 3rd, 2012 - he actually did!  Unfortunately I was not able to get to my provincial capital to be a part of the festivities, but there were several lucky fans who were there. Two of them, known fondly as Puff and Leslieg have been telling their story on one of the C19 Facebook pages (a private group unfortunately).  They are also long time members of the C19 Forum and have been posting the whole story on threads there.

RA fans pose with him at Toronto Union Station

Leslieg kindly consented to an interview:


Please tell me how long you have been an RA fan. How long have you been active on C19 forum?

I first clocked RA when my beloved Sparkhouse aired on BBC Canada in the spring of 2003. I watched the scene set at the top of the stairs in Hebden Bridge, then realised it was that Wuthering Heights adaptation, and changed channels!!! I saw him in things over the intervening years, but it was Robin Hood that dragged me to the internet, as I am the Dial-up Queen, and I found C19 first, in June 2007. I've been active in the wider community ever since.

Have you met up with other RA fans before? If so, about how many times have you gotten together?

I've been to several meet-ups over the years: RAC meet-ups in Dallas '07, Detroit '09, and Ottawa '11 (hosted by me); an AA meet-up in '08 at Horsted Keynes train station with my daughter in tow, age five at the time; BAFTAs in '08, but no RA; annual meet-ups with various members of the forums in the UK, including an annual playdate for E with the daughter of another member. I've done trips up north, and had visits with people in my home stomping grounds of London and Kent. Everyone has been wonderful. I even managed to meet one dear friend who lives near Perth, Australia when we were both in the UK at the same time. She came south and I went north to meet her in London.

What was it that made you a fan in the first place?

I think it's Richard's ability to inhabit the character and his choice of characters that display character development. His messages to us all drew me in further.

I have heard that you are a frequent traveler to Great Britain.  Did you ever encounter him over there?

 I have always expected that I was more likely to bump into RA in London than in Canada. Our country is so big, that logistically, it simply made more sense that I would see him across the pond on one of my many trips. So when I found out he would be in Toronto on the George Stroumboulopoulos show, within 400 kilometres of my front door, I decided that I would make the journey.

What (if any) difficulties did you encounter with this trip to see RA?

Giggle!!! When I left the house on Sunday to drive to Toronto, approximately four hours away, I was leaving my husband with a questionnable vehicle, for starters. Then I had icy road surfaces on the drive on our dirt road to the main road, where I nearly slid right off the paved road! I had to change my driving route, and drive more slowly as I headed southwest, to avoid dangerous backroads I would normally take. Then I had pelting rain on the 401 all the way to the big city, and drizzle all the way home in the wee hours.


Please describe your first glimpse of him.

We weren't sure what direction he would be coming from, and so we had stationed ourselves near the hobbit hole display in the station.  I loved [I think she meant to write "leaned" but that mistake is very telling] over towards the KISS 92.5  (a local radio station) table and said, "There he is!" I could see his head above most people around him!

You were dressed as a Hobbit, is that right?

No, I had on a Thorin Oakenshield t-shirt my husband had bought for me, and we had to wear "Gandalf" hats with The Hobbit on the brim.

That sign was a wonderful idea. May I use the pictures?

Oh, yes. My daughter and I made it together.  It said “A Canadian NOT Rubbish Richard Armitage Sign,” as an in-joke to all the rubbish Richard Armitage signs that people took to the sets of Black Sky in Michigan over the summer. Richard looked at it and laughed and signed it for me.

And here is Richard Armitage's reaction to the sign:

(Photo courtesy of Puff)

And here he is autographing their sign!

photo from Warner Brothers Facebook page

The Marilyn Denis interview went very well. Did you get to see him after that?
Please tell us more about your day.

No one in our group was able to attend Marilyn's show, because tickets had to be ordered three weeks or more in advance, and we only learned late last week that he would be a guest. I watched the interview from the comfort of my hotel room overlooking Union Station. Then it was off to George Stroumboulopoulos at the CBC. We had been given passes for the advance screening that evening, so we knew we would see him both times.

You attended the George Stroumboulopoulos show. How did that interview go?

Stroumbo is one of the best interviewers in Canada, and I had high expectations, which were exceeded. George asked intelligent questions and allowed Richard to talk about Tolkien at length, as well as the aspects of the filming process. I don't know how much of it will make it to tape, but I told George afterwards that it was the best interview I'd ever seen of Richard. And there were no references to the circus or our overall community in a negative way.

Had you ever attended an interview show before? Would you enjoy going again (even if it wasn't RA being interviewed)?

No, I hadn't been to any taping of a television show of any sort. I doubt I would ever go again, unless it was for RA.

Did you get to the premiere as well?

Yes, we were very lucky to have passes, although we had to walk very quickly to the theatre after the Stroumbo taping, so we missed seeing Richard inside, except for his introduction of the film. Then he left, and we settled in to enjoy watching him rock the role of Thorin.

Please tell us anything else that was memorable about the evening.

I think I've covered it, pretty much. It was in the morning, when I was able to talk to Richard a few times that things were most memorable, and I am keeping those moments for my reports on the forums. It's our last chance for Richard to be our little secret, before the wider world recognizes what we've known for years, that he's a wonderful actor, consummate professional, and a very kind gentleman.

Thanks so much for taking the time to answer my questions. We will all enjoy reliving this wonderful memory with you.

photo courtesy of RichardArmitageNet.com

Note: The interview with George Stroumbolopoulos will be aired on CBC television on Wed. Dec. 12, 2012.

Day for Remembrance

Today, I remember my father.  He was born 100 years ago yesterday.  He is not alive today, having been grateful to pass away in his 90th year, long after life ceased to be of interest to him.  Although he was lucky not to suffer any real physical ailments, he was a proud man and he was tired from the gradual loss of his independence and his sense of dignity.

He was a hard man to know -- incomprehensible to his children.  His frequent bouts of bombastic temper are family legend now.  But despite his failings as a parent, we knew he cared about us.  He was there for us, to support us in every way that a father can.

What I remember most about him was his sense of humour.  He loved wordplay and our family had quite a few invented words (almost our own language) which we all contributed to, and he enjoyed very much. As he was in his late 40s when I was born, I don't remember him as a very active father, our shared pursuits were more sedentary - reading, watching television, and playing board games like checkers, crockinole and chess.

His old friends remembered his sense of humour. When I was in my late teens and we moved to southern Ontario I had the privilege of meeting one of Dad's friends from his RCAF squandron in WWII.  I could tell from his manner that he still held a lot of respect for my father and my Dad was equally thrilled to meet with him again.

Here is a picture of the squandron taken in 1945 at Waterbeach, Cambridgeshire, UK.

Thanks to my sister for providing the picture!

For more about my Dad, here is my post from last year:

Bombs Away

And last, but not ever least, here is Rick Mercer ranting about the Canadian federal government's latest injustice to our Veterans.

Thankful

Listen to: When the Snow is on the Roses

On Sunday I hosted Thanksgiving supper for my family. My son was home for the first time for this holiday since he started University four years ago.  My husband's parents were there - his father having recently been released from hospital for a mysterious fainting spell for which the test results have not been received yet.  My sister and brother-in-law were also there.  Usually I get to skip out on making the turkey dinner as my sister with her well appointed dining room, does the honours.  She and her husband were still recovering from a nasty cold bug so she was quite happy to share our meal in my tiny eat-in kitchen.

Quite prominent in the thanksgiving toasts, besides the happiness of good health and being together, was the fact that we were able to eat a hot meal in the light and warmth of modern electricity.  We had just endured a 24+ hour power outtage due to an unexpected early snowstorm.  Both my mother-in-law and myself had been stuck on the highway due to an accident ahead of us (separate incidents).  I ended up being towed off the highway and had to wait for someone with 4-wheel drive to take me home.  People with wood stoves were able to keep warm and heat their food, but my home didn't have that luxury.  At least I had phone service, as I still have a land line.  People with cordless phones were suddenly incommunicado.  My iPhone with 3G still worked for several hours but eventually there was no cell service either.  I had never felt so isolated in my life!

The view from my dashboard as I was being towed

After an idyllic summer and the late arrival of Fall, Winter sprang upon us with no warning. 

Here was the view from my cottage last weekend, when the temperature was around 24 degrees Celsius.

Luckily my husband decided to pull the boat out

Here is the same scene exactly one week later

Note the snow covered boat and squashed willow tree from the heavy snow.

This weather has brought me to mind of the first historical incidences of Thanksgiving in North America.  It seems that survival from the harsh elements is quite a Canadian theme.  Martin Frobisher, (1539-1594) was an English explorer and privateer who was looking for the Northwest Passage to by pass North America on the way to the riches of the East Indies. Of course, he was not successful, but he was so grateful to survive his third journey across the Atlantic that he celebrated a service of Thanksgiving in 1578 on Baffin Island in Canada's eastern Arctic at the bay which now bears his name.

I couldn't resist this.  Can you see the resemblance?  

Sir Martin Frobisher by Cornelis Ketel, c. 1577

RA as Martin Frobisher

Then in 1605 Samuel de Champlain (fondly known as the Father of New France) founded the Order of Good Cheer. It was basically a weekly feast and kitchen party that lasted all winter long. The idea was to keep everyone's spirits up and share food during the long, harsh winter at their settlement at Port-Royal in the Annapolis Valley of present day Nova Scotia.

According to Wikipedia, "no authentic portrait of Champlain is known to exist".  But his likeness is usually shown as similar to the drawing on the left.  I used a Face-in-Hole portrait of Rene Descartes (who is dressed in a similar fashion) for my purposes. Doesn't he seem to be in Good Cheer?

Samuel de Champlain by Albert Descaris

RA as Samuel de Champlain

In Champlain's own words (translated from French), here is how he describes it in his diary:
We spent this winter very pleasantly, and had good food because of the Order of Good Cheer which I established. Everyone found it beneficial to his health, and better than any medicine we might have used. A chain was placed around the neck of one of our men every day. It was his job that day to go hunting. The next day the chain was given to someone else, and so on in order. Everyone competed to see who could do the best, and bring back the finest game. We did not come off badly, nor did the Indians who were with us.

The Order of Good Cheer by C.W. Jeffreys

Here is my wish for all of us:

May we all be warm, well fed and happily entertained 
in the company of good friends and family.


And now, if you have read this far, I do thank you.
For your entertainment, here is a treat from Servetus, at Me + Richard Armitage blog.

A Collection of clips of RA saying "Thanks"  by refgeek

What floats your boat?

Several of my friends are now the proud owners of a pontoon boat, and I have luckily been invited to spend a lovely day of fishing on one for Canada Day.  The forecast is for sunny skies and 28 degrees Celsius (or about 82 degrees Fahrenheit for the non metric types), which is just about perfect!  I am not very good at fishing, but I will enjoy being out on the lake in the company of very enjoyable friends!

I must admit to a small case of boat envy!  Even though we have lived so close to so many lakes forever, we only finally bought a small skiff a couple of years ago.  It's good enough to take a couple of people fishing but the motor is not powerful enough for waterskiing.  Plus we bought it second hand from a fishing camp so it is really nothing to look at! 

Oh well, maybe some day we'll be able to keep up with the Jones's and buy a party boat!  But if I'm going to dream, I hope it comes with a captain who just might look something like this....

Graphic art by my dear anonymous friend!

Canada's thriving music industry owes much to this man

Pierre Juneau 

(October 17, 1922 - February 21, 2012)

It may seem strange to honour a bureaucrat, but this man served his country with a passion for the artistic talents of its people, and the vision to lead the way to a future which promised a share in it.
In 1949 he began his career at the National Film Board, and in 1968 he became  the first chairman of the CRTC (Canadian Radio and Television Committee). Juneau caused much controversy by bringing in Canadian content rules.  A law was passed forcing Canadian radio stations to play 30% Canadian content during peak hours of air play.  At the time there were very few Canadian performers who had recordings available.  Most of our talent had to venture to the larger audiences of the U.S. to find fame.  So it was an awful lot of Anne Murray, Joni Mitchell, Neil Young, and Gordon Lightfoot until radio hosts were able to find new talent to draw from.

It was a case of supply meeting demand.  Since radio needed more Canadian music, many new record producers sprang up looking for new singers and songwriters and bands to promote.  Is it any wonder then that Pierre Juneau is so honoured today by the Canadian music industry?  Canada's equivalent of the Grammy Award is named the Juno (a simplified spelling of his name).  In 1971 he was honoured as Canadian Music industry Man of the Year and given his own Juno Award.  He went on to become the head of the CBC (Canadian Broadcasting Corporation) from 1982 to 1989 where he increased Canadian content to 95% which also helped to encourage new Canadian production companies.

Here is a web page by the Canadian Songwriters Virtual Hall of Fame.

The CBC's tribute:

Funny Money for a song

Canadian singer / songwriter Corin Raymond has a very unique idea to raise funds for his next studio recording.  Since he wrote the song Don't Spend it Honey which refers to CanadianTire money, he wondered if his supporters might want to send him their Canadian Tire bucks since he found a studio which will actually accept it as legal tender!

Canadian Tire bucks, for those readers who are not familiar with this uniquely Canadian phenomenon are what the Canadian Tire hardware store gives out to customers with each purchase as a type of coupon which can be used with your next purchase.  Most Canadians save up this money and sometimes never even use it!

I have been a big fan of Corin's since first hearing him play with his friend and fellow bandmate Sean Cotton as The Undesirables.  I even posted one of his videos on one of my latest train themed posts. Currently Corin is working with a back up band called The Sundowners.  They are planning on recording a Live Album which on Jan. 24 & 25 at the Tranzac in Toronto.


Here is an earlier video of Corin singing about how music is more important to him than money.

Fill Me Up With Sound / The Undesirables (featuring Corin Raymond)

Unfortunately, independent artists trying to make it in the music business have to use a considerable amount of the cash earned from touring and playing gigs in all manner of places to pay for studio sessions. But that is how they get their recordings out there for people to hear and (hopefully) buy. 

Yesterday I attended a house concert in the home of a local supporter of the musical arts where we collected  a basketful of Canadian Tire bucks to send to Corin.

Here he is with a video explaining his campaign and singing the song that inspired it all:

If you have ever shopped at Canadian Tire and collected any Canadian Tire bucks, wouldn't it be fun to feel you had a part in producing a music album by a very talented, and deserving up and coming singer / songwriter? If you would like more information, along with the address to send this fun little currency, please visit a special web page created for this purpose: http://www.dontspendithoney.com/   The latest news is that if he can raise enough, the record producer is willing to carry some of the funds over to his next recording as well.  So that might mean he gets the next 2 albums paid for!

Now, you may be wondering, if you are a frequenter of this blog -- What has all this got to do with Richard Armitage? Wait for it, I am getting there I promise!

You see, when I visited England in July 2010 I happened  to stop in for a drink at a pub where the walls were decorated with paper currency from all over the world.  Of course I scanned the walls looking for a Canadian bill.  I should let you know that the lowest currency in paper is a Five Dollar bill.  There used to be One and Two dollar bills but they were phased out with coins charmingly knicknamed Loonies (after the Loon on the back) and Twoonies (just for fun).  I wouldn't say that Canadians are stingy people, but let's just say they are known for being more frugal than some other nationalities.  So I was getting a bit worried about not being able to find any Canadian bills -- until finally -- I saw it!  You guessed it -- a Canadian Tire buck -- right there amongst all the real money.  Well that certainly made me chortle (rather ashamedly actually).  I had to share my glee with the bartender, who practically rolled his eyes because I'm sure he hears the same story from every Canadian who ever comes in there!  Later, I did find a real Canadian fiver on the wall so my sense of national pride was restored.

Bar Bucks

Ye Olde Trip to Jerusalem

Don't you just wonder where this interesting pub was located?  First, I should tell you a bit of its history. 
Ye Olde Trip to Jerusalem claims to be the oldest inn in England.  Although the actual building which stands today is not original, the location of the brewery dates back to 1189 AD (or CE if you prefer), the same year Richard the Lionhearted became King Richard I. Apparently knights would stop here on their way to the Crusades.  The brew house was located in the caves at the foot of the castle in Nottingham.
Yes! That is the Nottingham as in Sherwood Forest of Robin Hood fame! 

The caves below Nottingham Castle

My husband and I were visiting with friends and only had one night so we didn't have a chance to visit the castle other than to take a couple of pictures of it on the way to the pub.  Our friends didn't seem to think the castle was much to see, but I was quite disappointed not to have a better tour.  It is difficult to spend time with friends and sightsee at the same time, especially when short of time.  So I am determined to return someday and do a proper tour!


We did have a lovely visit with our friends and I must admit, the tour of their English garden was one of the highlights of our trip for me.  They even kept their own bees which made delicious honey!

Here is the view from their livingroom window.

You have probably guessed by now where I'm going with this post.  Since we have now arrived in Sherwood Forest, I can at last mention my favourite character in the BBC's version of the Robin Hood series.  He is none other than Guy of Gisborne as portrayed by Richard Armitage as the antihero with heroic tendencies.

Wouldn't it be a dream to meet Sir Guy at the local pub?

 Guy seems to be enjoying his drink.  
We must have spent awhile in that pub because his hair seems to have grown quite a bit!

Guy has a few too many brews and gets a bit flirty.  

Of course I don't mind, but my husband is getting annoyed so we have to say our goodbyes.

Luckily Guy pays the tab as all I had on me was Canadian Tire bucks!

I don't think Sir Guy is impressed.