ut practice

Had fun hanging out with Allison and Jodi today, and we actually did some more practising. Went through Marvin, Battle On, Another Story, Me and Babylon Five, Friendship Song, Bhigg House Song, and a relatively new song of Jodi's. Also mailed off some songbooks, CDs, and tapes to Anne and Mike Whitaker in the UK.

Allison told me that Patrick Stewart is going to be in the new X-Men movie, and that THEY'RE FILMING PART OF THE MOVIE IN TORONTO. As some of you already know, I'm a major Patrick Stewart fan, hence this news is VERY exciting!

Today's Blatherphoto: in the Twin Otter float plane in the Northwest Territories, on the way to the Nahanni River. As you can see, the plane was pretty loaded up with gear and canoes!

cottage

Off to the cottage this morning with my sister and her family. Fingers crossed for no rain!

Intriguing article about geek geniuses at the National Post site (thanks, Luisa, for p ing it out).Personally, I think that Dr. Doidge is a bit "out there" (he implies that computer geeks are mildly autistic), but I confess my reaction is more emotional than one based on scientific refutation. I'd be interested in hearing your comments about this piece.

Have a great weekend, everyone!

great big sea

New chat environment: Please do try it out and let me know what you think (I'd especially be interested in hearing from those whose browsers crashed in my last chat environment).

Splendiferous weekend at the cottage with my sister and her family. Activities included: fishing (no fish caught), hiking, picnicking, saunas, water pistol fights, CheeseString(tm) eating, drawing, reading aloud of picture books, dancing, jumping, swimming. Both Sara and Annie were very keen on the water pistol fights. Annie doesn't quite have the act of aiming, so it was generally up to the targeted person to exclaim loudly (as if he/she was being hit) whenever Annie's aim got even vaguely close.

Our friend Scott Dixon is in town visiting for a few days. We had visited Scott in Ireland early this year; he now lives in Germany doing academic research. Blatant Plug: Scott's new book, The German Reformation: The Essential Readings is available through Amazon! You must all rush out and buy it! :-)

I had been invited to be in a Great Big Sea video today (I'm a major GBS fan), but sadly had to decline; I can't afford to take the whole day off work. :-( :-(

chocolate

None in the apartment right now, unbelieveably.

Amanda got Great Big Sea to autograph a photo for me, woohoo!

Went out for Greek food with Scott and Jeff last night, after browsing Chapters. Bought some Harry Potter books...love the format (very nice hardcover, good paper, nice font).

In my daily morning scan for publishing news, I came across an article in the BBC News about Hero Joy Nightingale, an amazing young lady. Afflicted with an undiagnosed neurological disorder, Hero is unable to walk or talk. She communicates by spelling out letters with her hand; her mother transcribes Hero's thoughts into her web zine, From The Window.

"My internet mag got me out of my depression. I could write to folk on the disability net who told me not to let the bastards get me down and from whom I could also hide my age easily at least at first.. I found it was fun talking again and I'm trying so hard to believe that folk are worth trusting. I am still afraid of being hurt."

I am hoping to interview Hero for Inkspot.

Todays' Blatherphoto: sunrise on the Nahanni River, Northwest Territories.

rings of saturn

Some new images are available from the Chandra telescope. Also see this Wired article about the first interplanetary weather satellite to orbit Mars. Speaking of space, I forgot to mention that Jeff and I were checking out the telescope that our friends Harry and Jean left at the cottage a while back. We saw Jupiter and five of its moons, and also Saturn with its rings! VERY cool.

Went to Verona (on King Street) last night with Scott, Cathy Russell, Brad Morden.

I am doing prep for Word On The Street (Toronto literary festival) this Sunday. My Inkspot pens still haven't arrived! :-( There were 125,000 people at last year's festival. If you're in the area, please do come by and visit! My booth is in the Writer's Block area, on Queen near McCaul.