I used to read the Globe and Mail a lot. A major part of my Saturday student routine involved getting some take-out curry and German pastries, and hunkering down with the massive Saturday paper, to read all afternoon. What luxury! When I was at Mount A., I read some excellent features about the HIV/AIDS epidemic and women, a great piece on Jean Chretien's wiles as a Shawinigan schoolboy, Mark Miller's eminent jazz reviews, not to mention an entire section devoted to book reviews.
Occasionally, I would read Leah McLaren's column, and although sometimes her sarcasm directed at people who take themselves too seriously made me laugh, I never was into her 'cool girl' vibe. I am too much of a nerd at heart, go figure.
So, when I came across this article in Maisonneuve Magazine - which I love, love, love for its intelligent eclecticism- I wasn't too surprised tolearn that Leah McLaren had written a column about why women aren't funny. Turns out she was opining about a piece by Christopher Hitchens ( here it is too ), who basically says that women aren't funny because we have ovaries, which lead to babies, which leads to a one-way ticket to no-funny-land. How about that.
But although I do think parenting must inevitably make your life more serious, I think that women are funny. I have seen many gatherings of silly women who laugh until the tears stream down their faces. My sisters and I have done this on many occasions - and not just because we were being wooed by a man (do men today still woo? hmmm). And I know some funny, funny girls who have a way of just putting the truth out there, in a roarious, pants-down, how do you like me now kinda way.
So although many of the standard forms of humour may have been originated by men, I do think women use them, and I am thankful for anyone and everyone who can make me laugh. Sometimes it's the only defence I have against this grim world.
Monday, August 29, 2011
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
It doesn't fall from the sky, you know
I love watching elections, and I stayed up til the bitter end for the last federal election. Now I am glad, because although I was maddened by the majority government the Conservatives achieved with a minority of the popular vote, I did get to see Jack Layton's speech as incoming Leader of the Opposition. Watching Layton, Harper and Ignatieff that evening (not to mention the jubliant Elizabeth May), it wasn't hard to see why the voters did what they did.
So it's heartbreaking to see Layton's passing without him ever having the chance to put the heat to the PM, in Parliament, as the Leader of the Opposition. There are no guarantees in life, are there? But beyond elections, when I watched Jack Layton speak I could tell that he was a 'man on the move' and that he was the rare sort of leader who pushed his staff, not the other way around.
Here's what Paul Wells said about Jack Layton:
Today everyone will be writing and talking about his last campaign, the one he fought with a cane and a smile, as sustained a feat of physical courage and political agility as any I’ve seen in all my years covering this business. But I think it’s important to recognize that his party’s final breakthrough was no fluke. It was the product of a lifetime’s preparation and a decade’s effort, concentration and adaptation. It was the work of a man who won over his party, then his caucus colleagues, then his party’s traditional voters, then hundreds of thousands of new supporters. Jack Layton promised to build, and he was as good as his word.
So here's to you Jack - well done, good and faithful servant. Thanks for reminding us it can be done.
So it's heartbreaking to see Layton's passing without him ever having the chance to put the heat to the PM, in Parliament, as the Leader of the Opposition. There are no guarantees in life, are there? But beyond elections, when I watched Jack Layton speak I could tell that he was a 'man on the move' and that he was the rare sort of leader who pushed his staff, not the other way around.
Here's what Paul Wells said about Jack Layton:
Today everyone will be writing and talking about his last campaign, the one he fought with a cane and a smile, as sustained a feat of physical courage and political agility as any I’ve seen in all my years covering this business. But I think it’s important to recognize that his party’s final breakthrough was no fluke. It was the product of a lifetime’s preparation and a decade’s effort, concentration and adaptation. It was the work of a man who won over his party, then his caucus colleagues, then his party’s traditional voters, then hundreds of thousands of new supporters. Jack Layton promised to build, and he was as good as his word.
So here's to you Jack - well done, good and faithful servant. Thanks for reminding us it can be done.
Monday, August 22, 2011
"Out of the Mountain of Despair, a Stone of Hope
It has taken nearly 20 years to complete a monument in Washington, DC, in honour of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Over the summer, I read an excellent biography of Thomas Jefferson. The book details Jefferson's many intellecutal accomplishments: the writing of Notes on Virginia, the Declaration of Independence and Jefferson's remarkable intellectual strengths and his depth of feeling for fellow human beings.
This biography also dealt with the issue of him being a slave owner and maintaining a life-long relationship with his slave Sally Hemings (after the death of his first wife). Since then I have been reading a bit about the British colonization of North America and their attitudes towards the slave trade, all of which has given me a much greater perspective on the struggles of a.) Americans to gain their democratic freedom b.) the descendants of African slaves and their generations-long attempt to win justice and equality for themselves.
Oftentimes, we who are involved in movements for change are too impatient and we sell ourselves short. We think we have not succeeded because tomorrow things will be largely as they are today. But reflecting on the 'long train of history' - from 1948's "I Have a Dream" until today's reality, that a black family lives in the "white house," we see that culture does change, and that individuals do make a difference.
So when I heard they carved on the side of the monument "With this faith we will be able to hew out of the mountain of despair a stone of hope" - which comes from the "I Have a Dream" speech, it reminded me that human beings have the remarkable capacity to change the world for the better.
It's hard to believe that it took so long for a man who did so much for so many to be memorialized (rightfully) among Washington, Jefferson and Lincoln. But some things do change, after all.
Over the summer, I read an excellent biography of Thomas Jefferson. The book details Jefferson's many intellecutal accomplishments: the writing of Notes on Virginia, the Declaration of Independence and Jefferson's remarkable intellectual strengths and his depth of feeling for fellow human beings.
This biography also dealt with the issue of him being a slave owner and maintaining a life-long relationship with his slave Sally Hemings (after the death of his first wife). Since then I have been reading a bit about the British colonization of North America and their attitudes towards the slave trade, all of which has given me a much greater perspective on the struggles of a.) Americans to gain their democratic freedom b.) the descendants of African slaves and their generations-long attempt to win justice and equality for themselves.
Oftentimes, we who are involved in movements for change are too impatient and we sell ourselves short. We think we have not succeeded because tomorrow things will be largely as they are today. But reflecting on the 'long train of history' - from 1948's "I Have a Dream" until today's reality, that a black family lives in the "white house," we see that culture does change, and that individuals do make a difference.
So when I heard they carved on the side of the monument "With this faith we will be able to hew out of the mountain of despair a stone of hope" - which comes from the "I Have a Dream" speech, it reminded me that human beings have the remarkable capacity to change the world for the better.
It's hard to believe that it took so long for a man who did so much for so many to be memorialized (rightfully) among Washington, Jefferson and Lincoln. But some things do change, after all.
Thanks, kids!
The subject of children seems to be everywhere in my life right now. We can't decide if or when we might want to have our own children but people ask me all the time - people at work, relatives on both sides of our family, even strangers. I love kids and I always have - they are so interesting in the way they look at the world. I find their observations to be so clear at times, they have a way of getting right to the truth, and it's not always the truth we are looking for.
Recently my friend Richard Wetmore completed an album of songs about food and food production. He is an organic farmer and works at Speerville Mill, where you should be buying your grains, if you aren't already. Although Richard's songs have a lot of strong statements about the dangers of industrial agriculture, it is his attitude towards children that stands out for me. When is the last time you saw a fitysomething man state (sing) in public that "childcare should be at the top of our list, because what's more important than that?" Not lately....
I had a wonderful childhood - despite my mom being sick with cancer and despite my family not having a lot of money. But we weren't 'hurried' and we weren't medicated and we ate food straight out of the garden and were very close with our extended family. So looking back I do miss those sunny days of bike rides and swimming and playing on our grandparents farm. And I look at what some kids have to contend with these days (lingerie lines for 8 year olds, princess culture, bullying, etc.) and I don't feel too good about our society.
Here's a great article on the need to protect children from big business and here's a link to a great CBC podcast about the trend towards turning 2 year olds into academic stars. Not kidding, unfortunately. Something to chew on just in time for back to school.
One of the best parts of the Dooryard Festival was watching the kids go nuts with the sidewalk chalk at the mainstage on Saturday. They had that place as vibrant as could be, and they told me they were making a dance floor. Now that's a world I can enjoy. Thank goodness for kids, the world would be a terrible place without them.
Recently my friend Richard Wetmore completed an album of songs about food and food production. He is an organic farmer and works at Speerville Mill, where you should be buying your grains, if you aren't already. Although Richard's songs have a lot of strong statements about the dangers of industrial agriculture, it is his attitude towards children that stands out for me. When is the last time you saw a fitysomething man state (sing) in public that "childcare should be at the top of our list, because what's more important than that?" Not lately....
I had a wonderful childhood - despite my mom being sick with cancer and despite my family not having a lot of money. But we weren't 'hurried' and we weren't medicated and we ate food straight out of the garden and were very close with our extended family. So looking back I do miss those sunny days of bike rides and swimming and playing on our grandparents farm. And I look at what some kids have to contend with these days (lingerie lines for 8 year olds, princess culture, bullying, etc.) and I don't feel too good about our society.
Here's a great article on the need to protect children from big business and here's a link to a great CBC podcast about the trend towards turning 2 year olds into academic stars. Not kidding, unfortunately. Something to chew on just in time for back to school.
One of the best parts of the Dooryard Festival was watching the kids go nuts with the sidewalk chalk at the mainstage on Saturday. They had that place as vibrant as could be, and they told me they were making a dance floor. Now that's a world I can enjoy. Thank goodness for kids, the world would be a terrible place without them.
Wednesday, August 17, 2011
Always building
On days like this, I know I am obsessed. I can't stop thinking about all the possibilities: a great start for our business expansion - now renamed the Centre for Culture and Creativity, a bigger profile for the Dooryard Arts Festival, and better local co-operation on markets and small businesses, among other things.
I did plan a short culture vacation for next weekend - we'll take in a few sites in southern NB (agricultural and cultural), then on to a new production in Parrsboro (Ship's Company Theatre) and Halifax (Shakespeare and Bill Murray on the weekend). When we go on vacation, we are always looking for great ideas we can emulate at home.
One thing I have noticed many times is that we have all the building blocks here to welcome cultural tourists, but we're not organized enough. And we're too damn modest, pardon my backwoods language. The scenery here is absolutely stunning, the people as friendly as any self-respecting Maritimers, the B&B's equally elegant, the concerts just as affordable. But we don't brag about it and we don't use media/advertising properly.
This fall I would like to host a get-together to strategize for next year's summer season. Over 30 million vehicles drive through this valley in a year. New people are moving here and they have great ideas about how to enjoy living in one of the most beautiful parts of North America.
Check out the Golden Unicorn Arts Festival - run by some people from BC who are getting into organic/local food production. Also, I've tested all the links to your right and eliminated the out-of-date or broken links. Take a look, there's more going on here than meets the eye.
Hope you're eating locally! Stay tuned as the craziness of fall unfolds.
I did plan a short culture vacation for next weekend - we'll take in a few sites in southern NB (agricultural and cultural), then on to a new production in Parrsboro (Ship's Company Theatre) and Halifax (Shakespeare and Bill Murray on the weekend). When we go on vacation, we are always looking for great ideas we can emulate at home.
One thing I have noticed many times is that we have all the building blocks here to welcome cultural tourists, but we're not organized enough. And we're too damn modest, pardon my backwoods language. The scenery here is absolutely stunning, the people as friendly as any self-respecting Maritimers, the B&B's equally elegant, the concerts just as affordable. But we don't brag about it and we don't use media/advertising properly.
This fall I would like to host a get-together to strategize for next year's summer season. Over 30 million vehicles drive through this valley in a year. New people are moving here and they have great ideas about how to enjoy living in one of the most beautiful parts of North America.
Check out the Golden Unicorn Arts Festival - run by some people from BC who are getting into organic/local food production. Also, I've tested all the links to your right and eliminated the out-of-date or broken links. Take a look, there's more going on here than meets the eye.
Hope you're eating locally! Stay tuned as the craziness of fall unfolds.
Monday, August 08, 2011
Charmed, I'm sure
Usually, at this time of year all I can think about is the Dooryard Arts Festival. When you spend a whole year planning something, it's natural to be mildly obsessed when it actually comes to pass. This year, I've taken one year off from the RiVA Board of Directors in order to take care of some house/home/heart projects.
It's been good, but it feels kind of surreal to see the festival I helped begin take place entirely without my input. It's good - it gives me hope that the model we've created will have some longevity, and it feels good to see the broader community taking ownership and even getting excited about having music, art, film and theatre take over their downtown for four days.
Seven years ago, when I moved home from Sackville, there were barely any musical/artistic events to speak of. No exhibits (except at the library), few concerts (attendance was poor), and no drinking outside in public (except at the occasional beer garden or fundraising dance). Young people ages 18-35 were completely invisible in the town landscape - there was no place to hang, and nothing to do. Sometimes things change so slowly we don't perceive the difference. Today ,Woodstock is different, and tonight, on the eve of Dooryard's third edition, it's clear that our little festival has taken on a strength of its own.
It is easy to get depressed about New Brunswick - why don't we have a cultural identity? why are we so poor? why does everyone leave? . . . but on the other hand, if you really observe a place and listen to the things people say, it is possible to create a new culture where people can contribute to something that makes them proud.
Let's face it, it's easy to get depressed about practically anything, given the state of the world today. But it's a heck of a lot more fun to go downtown, celebrate being in the Dooryard for another summer, with people who actually understand what a Dooryard is. And having been 'away,' I can tell you that not everyone has a clue about what a Dooryard is.
So, in honour of the Dooryard Arts Festival's third edition (which starts Wednesday, schedule is here) here is my customary 10 Things Not to Miss at Dooryard 2011 list. Enjoy and see you in the Dooryard!
Ten Things You'd be Foolish to Miss at Dooryard 2011 - the completely biased and subjective edition
10. Free noontime showcases in the Town Square.
9. The return of Charlie Bomb, Ricky 6 and more great NB films at the Dooryard Film Fest (Wedneday, 10pm)
8. 8 FREE Wokshops from makeup to pottery, to t-shirt painting, to ukulele. That's right, ukulele
7. Valley Young Company premieres Step Taylor's new play "Screwjob" Wednesday night at WHS. VYC will take this show on tour across NB after Dooryard is over.
6. Tracy and the Hurtin' Hearts (Wednesday at Connell House). My sister debuts her new CD with a sizzling 5 piece band in a great venue!
5. 5 hours of FREE mainstage music on Saturday (11-4pm)
4. Sally Dibblee with Andrea Dickson (Thursday at Connell House). Two of the most talented classical musicians ever to emerge from Carleton County. Guaranteed to be a stunning collaboration.
3. Longtime Woodstock favourites Transatlantic Zodiac Ensemble close down the Mainstage Thursday evening. Some of the best players I've heard in years are in this band, don't miss it.
.
2. Meghan Smith with Chris Kirby (Saturday 6:15pm). Two of the brightest up-and-comers on the East Coast and Canadian music scene.
1. The Saturday Dooryard Market. A little slice of city, with food, music, vendors and all right here at home.
It's been good, but it feels kind of surreal to see the festival I helped begin take place entirely without my input. It's good - it gives me hope that the model we've created will have some longevity, and it feels good to see the broader community taking ownership and even getting excited about having music, art, film and theatre take over their downtown for four days.
Seven years ago, when I moved home from Sackville, there were barely any musical/artistic events to speak of. No exhibits (except at the library), few concerts (attendance was poor), and no drinking outside in public (except at the occasional beer garden or fundraising dance). Young people ages 18-35 were completely invisible in the town landscape - there was no place to hang, and nothing to do. Sometimes things change so slowly we don't perceive the difference. Today ,Woodstock is different, and tonight, on the eve of Dooryard's third edition, it's clear that our little festival has taken on a strength of its own.
It is easy to get depressed about New Brunswick - why don't we have a cultural identity? why are we so poor? why does everyone leave? . . . but on the other hand, if you really observe a place and listen to the things people say, it is possible to create a new culture where people can contribute to something that makes them proud.
Let's face it, it's easy to get depressed about practically anything, given the state of the world today. But it's a heck of a lot more fun to go downtown, celebrate being in the Dooryard for another summer, with people who actually understand what a Dooryard is. And having been 'away,' I can tell you that not everyone has a clue about what a Dooryard is.
So, in honour of the Dooryard Arts Festival's third edition (which starts Wednesday, schedule is here) here is my customary 10 Things Not to Miss at Dooryard 2011 list. Enjoy and see you in the Dooryard!
Ten Things You'd be Foolish to Miss at Dooryard 2011 - the completely biased and subjective edition
10. Free noontime showcases in the Town Square.
9. The return of Charlie Bomb, Ricky 6 and more great NB films at the Dooryard Film Fest (Wedneday, 10pm)
8. 8 FREE Wokshops from makeup to pottery, to t-shirt painting, to ukulele. That's right, ukulele
7. Valley Young Company premieres Step Taylor's new play "Screwjob" Wednesday night at WHS. VYC will take this show on tour across NB after Dooryard is over.
6. Tracy and the Hurtin' Hearts (Wednesday at Connell House). My sister debuts her new CD with a sizzling 5 piece band in a great venue!
5. 5 hours of FREE mainstage music on Saturday (11-4pm)
4. Sally Dibblee with Andrea Dickson (Thursday at Connell House). Two of the most talented classical musicians ever to emerge from Carleton County. Guaranteed to be a stunning collaboration.
3. Longtime Woodstock favourites Transatlantic Zodiac Ensemble close down the Mainstage Thursday evening. Some of the best players I've heard in years are in this band, don't miss it.
.
2. Meghan Smith with Chris Kirby (Saturday 6:15pm). Two of the brightest up-and-comers on the East Coast and Canadian music scene.
1. The Saturday Dooryard Market. A little slice of city, with food, music, vendors and all right here at home.
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