Picturing: Does That Say What I Think It Says?

As I walked down to my local coffee shop this morning, something caught my attention. Does that say what I think it says? Perhaps my wording would be less vulgar, but given my feelings toward all those self-described "Loves Jesus" charlatans we have among us today, I might articulate my pencil work as: "Fuck that, you hateful so-called 'Christians'."

Postscript: The original label-maker and poster probably does love Jesus, and sends love to all.

Athot for the Day: A Mind Full

Sometimes I think my cat has a PhD in Neurophilosophy. And at those times I know my smartest move is to just refill her bowl and disengage.

Sunday Fun: Sparkling Fun With More to Come

For Christmas one of my clients gifted me with a bottle of wine. I'm hardly alone on that count, but not popping the cork till a few minutes ago, I'm probably a rarity.

While I've known for years about Martini wines, I had never indulged in a bottle, due partly to the fact that I'm not a big drinker. My idea of wine is opening the odd bottle of Inniskillin Baco Noir or Pino Noir. Now I'll partake in a Martini Asti Sparkling. Product of Italy.

Since I got a fair bit of work done today, I figured it was time to treat myself.

POP!!!

What a noise! I almost jumped. But I did laugh out loud at the mini explosion in my kitchen.

A sip. It's good! A sweet taste. That was a bit of a surprise, but a pleasant one.

My uneducated guess says it'll go nicely tonight with a movie....

Postscript: My old friend Stéphane told me a story years ago about opening and ultimately devouring an entire bottle the night before while watching That Hamilton Woman. My palette and liver both won't accept a full bottle, however a "large goblet" will work. Oh!... Monty Python and the Holy Grail will make a fun drinking partner!

Athot for the Day: On That Special Day

It's Valentine's Day today...

Look busy!....

Pop-Up Post: Happy Birthday, Johnny Williams!

Minutes ago I learned that today marks composer John Williams' ninety-fourth birthday.

While he's not my favourite film composer to have ever practiced that craft, that would be the late great Jerry Goldsmith, by a large margin, the maestro's connection with populist filmmakers Steven Spielberg and George Lucas vaults him to the very top of the public register. Some of Williams' concert works are equally fine, but not as well known to the average person, for obvious reasons.

When John Towner Williams passes on we will be left with... Hans Zimmer.

How the art has fallen!

An extra special birthday wish to a modern motion picture legend....

I recorded the above from NBC Today on Monday, March 27th, 1989.

Me On PM Stephen Harper's Post-Defeat Speech

"There stood an unfortunate soul: a ministerial sad sack in an ill-fitting coat; Scurf of the Conservative Party of Canada."

Book: Pierre Elliott Trudeau (Nino Ricci)

Pierre Elliott Trudeau

by

Nino Ricci

Penguin Canada

2012

Former Canadian Prime Minister Pierre Elliott Trudeau (1919 - 2000) fascinates many of us who remember when he was this great country's leader (1968 - 1979, 1980 - 1984). Whether or not Trudeau was a great Prime Minister continues to be hotly debated in some (knowledgeable) circles all these years later, with his influence on Canada and Canadian identity effectively evading denial.

Canadian writer Nino Ricci wrote a book on Trudeau that warrants being read if one has any interest at all in Canadian politics, or wonders what all the fuss from the Right is about and why they cannot dig Canada's 15th Prime Minister out from under their sensitive skins.

Part reportage, part history lesson, Pierre Elliott Trudeau (2009) is to me an important work about an important Canadian figure.

Ricci starts off the book by telling the Trudeau Tale from his own perspective. One of his elementary school teachers was watching a program on the politician on the school's portable television set. He said to the future award-winning Canadian writer that Pierre Elliott Trudeau was going to be an important man in Canadian politics. End of first chapter.

I could not put this book down. At one point there were just eighty pages to read and I picked up the book intending to knock off about half. I finished it in one sitting. Nino Ricci knows how to tell a story. The read was highly instructive from a background and historical perspective: This reader was surprised to learn that fellow Liberal party member Judy LaMarsh (1924 - 1980) absolutely hated the man, and had not known that Trudeau could be a physical bully — in a back coffee room he all but pushed Quebec premier René Lévesque around right before an important cabinet vote.

The joke for me is that I've never read any of Nino Ricci fictional works... time to turn a page.

No doubt more than one book is being written about our last prime minister, Justin Pierre James Trudeau. As long as it's not a mindless bitter Conservative's unbound rant, I will read.

Postscript: On one of my trips to England years ago, I had an interesting experience during a morning hotel breaky moment. A gent sharing a small table with me — the joint was packed — was from St. Louis. Somehow we got onto the subject of PET. The 'American' said: "I liked Trudeau!"

Flash Poetry: You Must Find Yours

They did
you see

They said
to me

Behold!

Bliss dropped from
the sky

But I

know not where
... nor why.

___

2017

Simon St. Laurent

Athot for the Day: That Blasted Box

'Appointment Television' encourages and nurtures loneliness.

Fun Fact: A Trip to the Emmy Awards

Image Orthicon → Immy → Emmy

Tim Hortons Roll Up the Rim Discard — Redemption?

Yesterday I took a few minutes to clean out my wallet, ridding it of bits and pieces of paper, some of which held scribbles of unmarked telephone numbers, a ream of Canadian Tire money (my dealer was tired of having to return 'money' to me), and....

"Win Coffee"?

I have no idea how long that small paper strip was in there; probably a few years as Tim Hortons has not had the paper cup "Roll Up the Rim to Win" version in a while.

My guess is I can't redeem it.

I should give it a try. No doubt I'll receive a mix of laughs and confusion....

On the Speaker: The Linda Lindas No Obligation

Five years ago, I, like many music fans, discovered a band by the name of The Linda Lindas. They were four young ladies wearing Riot Grrrl sleeves. I quickly became a fan, and though I had forgotten about them for a while, another cue informed me that they had released an album. To Amazon I went and ordered "Growing Up".

My schedule and interests are such that something, including a talented new band, can eventually fall from my radar set. Weeks ago I heard that The Lindas had released another album.

"The Linda Lindas - No Obligation" rests on my speaker ready for a spin. I'm forever 78 revolutions behind, but I'll let you know soon....