Shame on the BC Liberals: Complete Funding Cut to BC BookWorld

I just received this. Please forward to as many writers and readers as you can. And send a letter of protest to the government:

“The provincial government has suddenly rescinded ALL funding to BC BookWorld, the most-read publication about books in Canada.
Notice of this pre-Olympics decision to break a 22-year-old relationship with the newspaper came from Andrea Henning, executive director of Arts & Culture, during a brisk phone call, without any explanation or paper trail, and with less than a month’s notice.

On the same day, the BC publishers’ association and the BC magazine publishers’ association similarly learned all their funding had been removed. To avoid more bloodletting, literary arts groups have formed the Coalition for the Defence of Writing and Publishing in B.C.

You’re a writer, so by all means, write a letter to the Premier or your MLA—or to us—if the spirit moves you, to protest these draconian measures. But, more importantly, if you want B.C. BookWorld to serve authors for another 22 years, become a Supporter / Subscriber. If you are willing to spare the cost of two movie tickets, we can save B.C. BookWorld as a public institution that serves 100,000 readers throughout the province, via more than 900 outlets.

It’s not charity. It’s a good deal. Send a cheque for $25 made out to PACIFIC BOOKWORLD NEWS SOCIETY, and we’ll mail B.C. BookWorld to your home or office address throughout 2010. In essence, I am asking one thousand authors to collectively replace Gordon Campbell’s government.

It’s a case of double jeopardy. If we’re not making the newspaper, it’s unlikely my colleague David Lester and I will be able to maintain our free reference site—for and about more than 9,000 B.C. authors—at www.abcbookworld.com (for which we have never received a penny).

That’s the gist of the situation. It’s up to you. Show us that Gordon Campbell made the wrong decision. Send your Supporter / Subscriber cheque ($25) today to PACIFIC BOOKWORLD NEWS SOCIETY, 3516 West 13th Avenue, Vancouver, BC, V6R 2S3.

–Alan Twigg, Publisher”

Calgary: The Great Cowboy Hat Giveaway

I’m having a great time in Calgary. It’s the perfect city to visit before going to the dude ranch next weekend. Yesterday, I divided my time between writing in the James Joyce Pub (great Harp ale) and browsing the cowboy stores along the main walking mall. I found a beautiful cowgirl shirt for Jennifer and a few things for myself as well.

Around noon, I noticed huge line-ups of people snaking down the street and around the block. Of course, curiosity got to me, and I joined the line. It was worth it. Apparently, in preparation for the Stampede on July 3rd (I think), the city of Calgary gives away 15,000 white cowboy hats! “Get your Head in a Hat.” I got mine in one, which I’ve already passed on to a Calgarian who will be at the Rodeo. What a great piece of PR for this city.

Last night we ate at Teatros – a sort of Italian fusion place. The tenderloin was melt-in-your-mouth-smokey and delicious, but the veggies were nothing special and there was a breading on the mashed potatoes reminiscent of the bad Brit cooking of my upbringing. It didn’t matter though – the creme caramel more than made up for that.

Got to run – off to the Sea or might that be C Train for more adventures.
Will post photos next week.

Mini Vacation: Calgary

I’m off to the airport in an hour – meeting my friend in Calgary, where she has a two day conference. We are flying back to Vancouver on Friday afternoon and she and her daughter will be accompanying Jennifer and me on our Dude Ranch Weekend at Sundance.

I’ve got two full days to explore Calgary and if, like here in Vancouver, there is WiFi everywhere, I can wander around at my leisure. My friend and fellow editor at suite101, Jill Brown has recommended:

The River Cafe on Prince’s Island,
The Good Earth Cafe in Eau Claire, by Prince’s Island.
Eau Claire
She adds: “there is a Restaurant called Catch in Hyatt gets a lot of attention, but it’s a fish place and you come from a fish place.”

Jill is involved in a temporary exhibit at the Galt Museum called Prisoners of War, For You the War is Over, and she is going to take me to the exhibit on Friday. I am quite excited about this – actually the highlight of my mini-vacation.

Of course, I will be flying Westjet :0

For a mini-movie about Calgary click here.

What Could I Possibly Have in Common With Madonna?

Well, I went riding the other day — thought it might be a good idea to get in a little horse time before Jen and I head off to Ashcroft and our favourite place in the world — the Sundance Dude Ranch.

I was having a good time on the back on Brat, (who seems to be the most patient horse in the world), when all of a sudden, the two of us, and she was the one in control were on a collision course for the wall of the ring. I guess I must have panicked, because when she did the smart thing and turned (rather abruptly), I think, I just kept right on going. Needless to say, the wall and the horse won.

So that was Tuesday. Since that time, I’ve been twice to phsyio, swallowed bottle of IBP and watched a bruise that looks like a map of Canada change from black to blue to green to yellow on my hip. It hurts. I hurt. Still, I did get back on the horse (thanks to Mary-Ann) and I will again as soon as I can get up from my chair in under ten minutes.

And Madonna? When she fell off her horse, she took an ambulance home — I drove. So, she might have a better voice, but I must be braver…

Update on Miss Julie at the Playhouse

I took my daughter to see Miss Julie last night. It is a one act play, about an hour and a half long and no intermission. From the moment the play opened until the end, we were both riveted by the unfolding story, the intensity of the plot and the ability of the three actors to transport us back in time to a world even more tainted by inequities between gender and race than the one we live in today.

I was thrilled to get the opportunity to talk at some length with the Director and Playwright, Stephen Sachs. So glad I didn’t read his bio first or I would have been totally intimidated by his accomplishments as a creator and would not have approached him at all. Luckily, I didn’t give it a second thought when he mentioned being from the City of Angels and we had a long chat about the sensibilities in his characters so evident in his translation of this play.

I told him all about the Black American Migration from California to Victoria and Saltspring Island, and like everyone else I meet, he was unaware but fascinated by this story – the story that The Freedom of Jenny is based on. Who knows, perhaps one day he’d like to turn this incredible piece of our shared history into a stage production? And if he doesn’t it was still incredible to be able to exchange ideas with him.

All that schmoozing can get to you after a while, but it seemed to me that Stephen Sachs was pleased by the enthusiasm of the audience and somewhat excited about an early morning departure back to the land of sunshine, palm trees and movie star politicians.

Loved to see the playhouse house full. It’s great to be surrounded by people who support the arts. Do your bit. See the play.

We Can Only Fit Into The Snuggie!

Victoria Spice lost 14 stone in five weeks — all because of algae wraps — a pungent thick brownish paste…which when wrapped around one´s body sucks out all of the fat and water…
Joy and I have been eating chocolate for a full week and we have one day at the Blue Lagoon which is only one or two wraps — depending on our cash flow. If we could just lose one whole dress size, we might be able to shop for something other than The Snuggie.

Since our movie tastes differ somewhat, we have compromised. Every night we watch one love story, compliments of Joy — tonight´s pick: Before Sunset with Ethan Hawke and Julia Delpy, which even I, fan of all things dark loved, and one grim movie, compliments of me — tonight´s choice Kold Slod — also a bit of a love story, and Joy only hid under her snuggie twice.

KlausterKaffi in our House Where we Feast

Must-See Icelandic Films

Haldora the most wonderful coordinator here at Klaustrid gave me three movies to watch on my DVD and I´ve really enjoyed each one of them. For the ultimate in dysfunctional family flicks, Hafid is a must see. No matter how bad you think your family might be, this one is worse…making it a feel-good flic

For a more Stephen King point of view, try Kold Slod, which means Cold Trail (2006) A love story slash murder mystery with a twist…

A really bad movie: 101 Reykjavik by Baltasar Kormakur: rating — Gay Comedy, not rated. Says in house movie critic, “I would rather have non-medicated open heart surgery than watch this again!”

Yet to see:
Cold Fever
Children of Nature
The Swamp (Myrin)

And my favourite creepy film (the scene with the bird will stay in my mind forever) watch Kaldaljos.

I am hoping to convince Jonathan to screen these all when I get home — Icelandic movie night.

EEE PC in Iceland

Baby computer is with me in Iceland, and of everything electronic that I brought with me, yes, including my ipod and logitech player, it is her that I´ve appreciated the most. At night, when the wind howls and I lie awake listening for strange noises, little rock solid touches my heart by providing me with overnight talk shows — usually BBC, and sometimes, for few minutes, CNN — but that station is pretty bad.
Why oh why can´t I get CBC — streaming problems…

After a few hours of frustration, I finally figured out how to download picasa for linux, and now little computer can manage my photos. The best part is that my EEE PC travels with me everywhere I go in my purse, and she is much lighter than all of my other junk. I can´t imagine packing around a big laptop half way around the world.

Possibly, this was one of the best “I see you in the store window and I must buy you now,”
moments that I have ever had.

Now, I dream of the 1000…

Images of East Iceland

The flight from Reykjavik to Egilisstadir took approximately 55 minutes — we flew over incredible white mountain peaks and landed in a tiny airport, which I later found to be about 45 minutes from the house.

Signage to Klaustrid

What´s on My Counter?

Today it is bleak outside — the snow is blowing sideways past my window and I´ve decided to stay in and not venture down to the pasture to visit my four-legged pals. Sitting here, looking out of my window, I´ve come to realize that there are many different shades of white — at times like this, I wish I could paint.

That said, perhaps I can paint, because in New York, there were many street vendors selling their Obama art. I met some pretty talented people there, but I also met some real scammers. I mean, even I can draw a stick person in black paint, add and afro and call it the President Elect. Who buys this stuff?

How Birds See the Valley

I’m Proud to be a Human Tonight: Barack Obama President

Honestly, the words across the CNN screen: Barack Obama Elected President, brings me to tears. And I’m not even American. I think this might just change the world, in a way that is long overdue. An African American, a black man has been elected 44th President of the United States. Finally, the age of old white guys in suits has come to an end.

There is hope.