Well, as anyone who knows me can tell you, I've been disappeared for pretty much the last month. Possibly more. But why? (They ask, sulking in dark corners...) Hark, I can hear your grumblings from here! Contrary to popular belief Possums, I haven't been abducted by aliens, Communists and/or the Scissor Sisters (although the last would have been rather fun, I must admit). Nor have I taken the veil and retreated to a cloister of blind Carmelite nuns who spend their time weaving lace and listening to underground broadcasts of TOP OF THE POPS on the BBC.
No mes cheres, I have been doing none of these things. What I have been doing is chasing the muse. And she's one tricky wench to catch, let me tell you. Butterfly nets and bear traps, she eludes them all. You see, I've been writing. I caught my blog up (as you can plainly see if you're reading this, and if you can't, then you're beyond the help of me, various mendicants and Hooked on Phonics) so you can read all about the PWA Bike Rally I got to do this year, and see a buncha pictures of it besides. Plus, I'm in the final lap of finishing the (he says with a laugh) rewrites on INTO CLEAR DARKNESS. After these, I'm sending the baby out into the world, to see if it lives or dies. We shall see. Then I start work (which I'm doing already by way of research) on my next project; the life and mysterious death of Kit Marlowe. I'm already through two out of five books on the man. Sex, espionage, poetry, genius and a 413 year old murder mystery.
So I've got my work cut out for me. And that's what I'VE been up to.
Monday, October 30, 2006
Monday, October 23, 2006
ARTS FUNDING IN JEOPARDY?
Thanks to a heads up from my friend Blair who works at PACT, I was alerted that the Federal gov't plans to cut $1.1 billion from federally funded programs. I suppose everyone else DID already know that, but I come by these things backasswards, and in the most roundabout ways, its a wonder I ever know what's going on. Nevertheless, I was appalled when I realized the blow that would mean to the arts sector who depend quite heavily on a lot of these grants. So I wrote my MP a letter, asking that he meet up with the Canadian Arts Coalition when they descend on Ottawa the week of November 13th. If you have any concern at all for the arts in Canada you should email your MP and tell him or her to protest these cuts. Here was my letter to Bill Graham.
Dear Mr. Graham:
My name is Trevor McNaughton, and I am one of your constituents in downtown Toronto. I live on Wellesley St. East, just about a block east of Sherbourne. I am a playwright and an actor and I wanted to write to ask that you would make a point of meeting with the Canadian Arts Coalition during their week of meetings with MP's during the week of November 13th. The reason I ask this is that it has come to my attention that the Federal gov't plans to strip $1.1 billion in program cuts. I myself do not receive any of those monies from those programs, but there are a great many artists out there who do, and who are dependent on them, and without that funding, the cultural wealth they give our country cannot be expected to survive. I hope I don't sound too melodramatic, but $1.1 billion, while possibly not a lot to the military or industrial sector, is a heck of a lot of money to artists, who by nature are used to making a lot of silk purses out of sows' ears. In short, the facile and irresponsible rumour that we are not economically efficient is laughable, because by nature of what we do, we use every last scrap of material and coinage available to us. We are the original "do it yourselvers" and I bet dollars to donuts that there isn't a small theatre company or installation artist in this country who couldn't think of a dozen different ways to make a dollar stretch further than any highly paid bureaucrat. We're used to doing without Mr.Graham, which is why it makes it so important that we don't lose what little we have, or hope to get.
I feel quite hopeful in asking that you at least meet with the Coalition, because I've seen with my own eyes that you're one of the few political leaders who goes out in person and sees aspects of our society that a lot of politicians forget. I was a cyclist in this year's PWA Friends for Life Bike Rally from Toronto to Montreal, and it was heartwarming to see my very own MP welcome us in as we rode into Place Viger in Montreal. The fact that you were the only political leader there (aside from the mayor of Montreal) to welcome us in made me glad that I had put up your sign for re-election in my front window in the last election. In these political climes (that make my blood boil most of the time) I was deeply pleased. I am very eager to see a change in our federal gov't I need hardly add. The current regime strikes me as regressive, backwards, anti-art, and short-sighted. Their attitude towards the arts can only be described (I feel) as bestially stupid at worst and willfully ignorant at best.
As a side note, Margaret Atwood wrote a wonderful article in the Globe and Mail two years ago ( "THE ARTS GO MARCHING ONE BY ONE" by Margaret Atwood, June 9, 2004, pg. A23) on how much money the Arts in Canada generate for our country, and its the single best argument and piece of writing I've ever read on why art is valuable to the spiritual as well as fiscal economy of a country. If you haven't had the chance, do read it, as it's extremely informative. Ms.Atwood has clearly done her homework. The article gives a much more focused look at what artists everywhere contribute to this country, and how that gives Canada such a vibrant and unique cultural identity in the world. Lose that, and the loss is ultimately for every Canadian, not just the artist. As Katharine Hepburn once said, "The artist, since the beginning of time, has always expressed the dreams and aspirations of his people. Silence the artist, and you will have silenced the most articulate voice the people have."
Please Mr. Graham, don't let Canada's artists be silenced by fiscal strangulation. Canada needs their voices and their dreams.
thank you,
Trevor McNaughton
Dear Mr. Graham:
My name is Trevor McNaughton, and I am one of your constituents in downtown Toronto. I live on Wellesley St. East, just about a block east of Sherbourne. I am a playwright and an actor and I wanted to write to ask that you would make a point of meeting with the Canadian Arts Coalition during their week of meetings with MP's during the week of November 13th. The reason I ask this is that it has come to my attention that the Federal gov't plans to strip $1.1 billion in program cuts. I myself do not receive any of those monies from those programs, but there are a great many artists out there who do, and who are dependent on them, and without that funding, the cultural wealth they give our country cannot be expected to survive. I hope I don't sound too melodramatic, but $1.1 billion, while possibly not a lot to the military or industrial sector, is a heck of a lot of money to artists, who by nature are used to making a lot of silk purses out of sows' ears. In short, the facile and irresponsible rumour that we are not economically efficient is laughable, because by nature of what we do, we use every last scrap of material and coinage available to us. We are the original "do it yourselvers" and I bet dollars to donuts that there isn't a small theatre company or installation artist in this country who couldn't think of a dozen different ways to make a dollar stretch further than any highly paid bureaucrat. We're used to doing without Mr.Graham, which is why it makes it so important that we don't lose what little we have, or hope to get.
I feel quite hopeful in asking that you at least meet with the Coalition, because I've seen with my own eyes that you're one of the few political leaders who goes out in person and sees aspects of our society that a lot of politicians forget. I was a cyclist in this year's PWA Friends for Life Bike Rally from Toronto to Montreal, and it was heartwarming to see my very own MP welcome us in as we rode into Place Viger in Montreal. The fact that you were the only political leader there (aside from the mayor of Montreal) to welcome us in made me glad that I had put up your sign for re-election in my front window in the last election. In these political climes (that make my blood boil most of the time) I was deeply pleased. I am very eager to see a change in our federal gov't I need hardly add. The current regime strikes me as regressive, backwards, anti-art, and short-sighted. Their attitude towards the arts can only be described (I feel) as bestially stupid at worst and willfully ignorant at best.
As a side note, Margaret Atwood wrote a wonderful article in the Globe and Mail two years ago ( "THE ARTS GO MARCHING ONE BY ONE" by Margaret Atwood, June 9, 2004, pg. A23) on how much money the Arts in Canada generate for our country, and its the single best argument and piece of writing I've ever read on why art is valuable to the spiritual as well as fiscal economy of a country. If you haven't had the chance, do read it, as it's extremely informative. Ms.Atwood has clearly done her homework. The article gives a much more focused look at what artists everywhere contribute to this country, and how that gives Canada such a vibrant and unique cultural identity in the world. Lose that, and the loss is ultimately for every Canadian, not just the artist. As Katharine Hepburn once said, "The artist, since the beginning of time, has always expressed the dreams and aspirations of his people. Silence the artist, and you will have silenced the most articulate voice the people have."
Please Mr. Graham, don't let Canada's artists be silenced by fiscal strangulation. Canada needs their voices and their dreams.
thank you,
Trevor McNaughton
Sunday, October 22, 2006
PWA FRIENDS FOR LIFE BIKE RALLY : MONTREAL AT LAST!!! (PICTURES, PART ONE!)
1) Jodi, me and David at the rendezvous point in Dorval, just before the final ride into Montreal. What an amazing pair. Funny, brilliant and energy to spare. Jodi just spent the previous two hours on a tire that was threatening to blow. It didn't. She's all smiles.
2) The final turn before we stopped at Place Viger, our final destination. That's English Rob in the front with the cool helmet. He helped me fix my tire that morning after I blew it up. I love the English.
3) With my dearest friends Stephanie and Victor, who drove all the way from Toronto that day just to see my arrival in Montreal. I was so thrilled to see them and touched at the effort.
4) All of us, cyclists and crew, triumphant in Montreal. We made it!!
MONTREAL AT LAST!!!! (PICTURES PART DEUX!)
Photos from Bottom to Top
1) Part of the gang around the campground on our last night before Montreal. From left to right, there's Aidan, Christian, me and Luis. We weren't normally this serious looking.
2) Our mob before the final ride.
3) The inimitable "Jimmy Billy" himself, the one and only James Anok with some git. James got me to do this ride with patience, encouragement and irresistible enthusiasm. A true friend, a great man, and I can never thank him enough. And my Mom thinks he's a hottie.
4) Darling, marvellous, wonderful Deb winning her most improved rider trophy. She was and is an inspiration.
5) The gorgeous Bruce Mayhew bussing some gobsmacked schmoe for luck. What a sweetheart he is. Pity he's already snapped up.
6) Me looking confused at the Quebec border. Do I always look this cranky?
7) I told you we had angels on this trip, didn't I?
8) Bruce and James looking nonplussed at the border.
9) My riding buddy, Gilbert. What an absolute gem he is. Chipper, upbeat and fun. I wanna be like him when I grow up.
Saturday, October 21, 2006
DAY SIX: LANCASTER TO MONTREAL!!!
Oh my GAWD!! Its here!! The day we've been waiting for, lo, these many months has finally MADE it!! Very exciting day today, if I may be allowed some understatement. Hee! I got up early after a late night of sitting around the campsite, scarfing down Christian's boxed champagne and gabbing in general. Then we all went over and watched the bonfire and listened to some very funny, very moving and very poignant tales of why people came on this ride. I'm so glad I came on this, and I'm so proud to be here amongst this amazing bunch of maniacs. So I went to bed, after redirecting Aidan by the arm to his own tent three times (that wine must have had some kick!) "AIDAN! This is YOUR tent. THAT is mine! Don't confuse them again, or I won't be responsible for the gossip tomorrow morning!" He didn't get it wrong again. Damn.
Where was I?
Oh yes, I got up early, packed up everything, couldn't really eat, although I tried, teased James mercilessly about his fear of spiders after swiping them off his tent for him (he kept whacking at it with a pole, which can't have been very good for the tent) and then we had a big sendoff in the field next to the campground, and felt very odd realizing that this is the last time we'll be like this, stretching, waking up, and that I probably won't see many of them like this again...
I started out on the road with Gilbert again, and it was a fairly even ride. At this point, the idea of doing 100 kms doesn't even phase me, whereas a month ago, I was having panic attacks. Funny. The ride was flat, with no hills, which was a blessing. A few more people had flats (Aidan had THREE that morning!) and my neck and shoulders were really hurting, so I really had to stretch them out. We crossed into Quebec not long after we started, and were given Quebec flags which I stuck onto my bag, and red ribbons, which I looped onto the back of my helmet, and had my picture taken outside of the Quebec border sign, and so did everybody else, as a kind of symbolic memento of how far we'd come. As soon as we were into Quebec, it felt so familiar to me, even the air is different, so much more relaxed than Ontario. I had a huge wave of nostalgia, and was almost teary-eyed (except that I was smiling so much) when we went by one house and three little boys in their pyjama bottoms were standing at the edge of their driveway, jumping up and down excitedly, yelling "Salut! Salut!" The youngest couldn't have been more than four or five. They were the first people who greeted us in Quebec.
We had our breaks and lunch in short order and then we all met up, just outside of Dorval, and then biked into Montreal proper just before five. The sun was out by then thank heavens, and the ride into the city via the canals and water was quite lovely. We drove into old Montreal, and there were streets cleared for us, and people on the sidelines cheering. I turned the corner, and I heard, "Trevor!" yelled out from behind me, and I looked up and around and there was Victor, leaning over a half-wall, camera in hand, grinning like mad. It was so lovely to see him, I could have cried. Then we got off our bikes, which were kept in a kind of fenced in holding area, and all of us were led into Place Viger (I think its called) where there was a whole sea of people yelling and cheering. We all stood lined up to the right of a waterfall, facing a stage, and people were yelling and cheering. I couldn' stop grinning. Some people were crying, it was so emotional. I just was so excited and psyched by the sheer emotional energy. It was a good thing it was out of doors, I think if it had been inside, it would have been too much. Speeches were made, the mayor of Montreal welcomed us in, along with Bill Graham, and I spied Stephanie standing with Victor across the way, both wreathed in smiles. We got welcomed in, and then we went off to see friends, and I immediately got a beer because I was among other things, parched, and I got big hugs from Stephanie and Victor and we made plans for that night. Then I headed back with the lads (James, Luis, Bruce et al) to our lodgings at U of QM which were just up the street, and I got cleaned up and collapsed in short order. Then Victor, Stephanie and Bruce and I all went to the Sky Bar for the welcoming party, which was great fun. Then we met up with James, Luis and Jamie and Bill and went wandering up and down St.Catherine street, ( in and out of various bars) which was just wild. Got back at an ungodly hour, stumbled into my room and collapsed. But the last thing I remember, as I closed my eyes, was thinking, "My God. I made it. I'm in Montreal!!" Then sleep.
Where was I?
Oh yes, I got up early, packed up everything, couldn't really eat, although I tried, teased James mercilessly about his fear of spiders after swiping them off his tent for him (he kept whacking at it with a pole, which can't have been very good for the tent) and then we had a big sendoff in the field next to the campground, and felt very odd realizing that this is the last time we'll be like this, stretching, waking up, and that I probably won't see many of them like this again...
I started out on the road with Gilbert again, and it was a fairly even ride. At this point, the idea of doing 100 kms doesn't even phase me, whereas a month ago, I was having panic attacks. Funny. The ride was flat, with no hills, which was a blessing. A few more people had flats (Aidan had THREE that morning!) and my neck and shoulders were really hurting, so I really had to stretch them out. We crossed into Quebec not long after we started, and were given Quebec flags which I stuck onto my bag, and red ribbons, which I looped onto the back of my helmet, and had my picture taken outside of the Quebec border sign, and so did everybody else, as a kind of symbolic memento of how far we'd come. As soon as we were into Quebec, it felt so familiar to me, even the air is different, so much more relaxed than Ontario. I had a huge wave of nostalgia, and was almost teary-eyed (except that I was smiling so much) when we went by one house and three little boys in their pyjama bottoms were standing at the edge of their driveway, jumping up and down excitedly, yelling "Salut! Salut!" The youngest couldn't have been more than four or five. They were the first people who greeted us in Quebec.
We had our breaks and lunch in short order and then we all met up, just outside of Dorval, and then biked into Montreal proper just before five. The sun was out by then thank heavens, and the ride into the city via the canals and water was quite lovely. We drove into old Montreal, and there were streets cleared for us, and people on the sidelines cheering. I turned the corner, and I heard, "Trevor!" yelled out from behind me, and I looked up and around and there was Victor, leaning over a half-wall, camera in hand, grinning like mad. It was so lovely to see him, I could have cried. Then we got off our bikes, which were kept in a kind of fenced in holding area, and all of us were led into Place Viger (I think its called) where there was a whole sea of people yelling and cheering. We all stood lined up to the right of a waterfall, facing a stage, and people were yelling and cheering. I couldn' stop grinning. Some people were crying, it was so emotional. I just was so excited and psyched by the sheer emotional energy. It was a good thing it was out of doors, I think if it had been inside, it would have been too much. Speeches were made, the mayor of Montreal welcomed us in, along with Bill Graham, and I spied Stephanie standing with Victor across the way, both wreathed in smiles. We got welcomed in, and then we went off to see friends, and I immediately got a beer because I was among other things, parched, and I got big hugs from Stephanie and Victor and we made plans for that night. Then I headed back with the lads (James, Luis, Bruce et al) to our lodgings at U of QM which were just up the street, and I got cleaned up and collapsed in short order. Then Victor, Stephanie and Bruce and I all went to the Sky Bar for the welcoming party, which was great fun. Then we met up with James, Luis and Jamie and Bill and went wandering up and down St.Catherine street, ( in and out of various bars) which was just wild. Got back at an ungodly hour, stumbled into my room and collapsed. But the last thing I remember, as I closed my eyes, was thinking, "My God. I made it. I'm in Montreal!!" Then sleep.
DAY FIVE: JOHNSTOWN TO LANCASTER
This is the day I don't remember very well. I have to start thinking about where I woke up. Well, I woke up and had breakfast, well, I woke up at 3:00 a.m., got showered and cleaned up, went back and slept for two hours, took the tent down, had breakfast and got ready to go.
Lots of flats today, even James got one. The ride was mostly along bike paths today, which was great, and rode with G. again, which is always fun. He's so chipper and sweet-natured, Lord knows how he handles a grouch like me. Very pretty scenery as always, and I guess because its the 2nd last day, it doesn't seem so endlessly long. Or I'm actually getting better at this. Or the roads are getting easier to manage. Or I'm just bloody lucky. If I keep this biking thing up, (which I may) and do this again, I'm getting new shoes (the click-on ones) and smooth wheels. I'd just go faster. Besides all of that, I've actually worn holes in my runners from gripping onto the pedals...
It still seems extraordinary to me that I'm actually here. I'm used to biking every morning now, and every time I wake up, and get on my bike again, there's almost a physical sensation of excitement, in that the body knows what to expect, and if not looking forward to it (although I can't say that's the case, its almost like a sense of relief) it at least knows what the expectations are. People I notice, seem to be getting more and more flats. Bizarre. Its making me tire-paranoid. Fortunately, I bought another two tubes when we stopped at one of our stops near a bike shop. What with all my tools and so forth, I may have no idea what I'm doing repair-wise, but at least I'll be well prepared....
Hot day today again, but better that than driving rain. You really only notice it, (or at least I do) more when you finish your break and get back on the road, as the wind really does cool you down quite a bit, even when its a hot wind. Plus I find that if I break too long (more than ten minutes) I feel quite sluggish for the first few miles when I get back on my bike.
(I'm glad I'm writing all of this down in my journal for later use on my blog, I wouldn't remember any of this a week from now....but I'll re-check the maps, doubtless I'll remember more when I see place names...)
Lots of flats today, even James got one. The ride was mostly along bike paths today, which was great, and rode with G. again, which is always fun. He's so chipper and sweet-natured, Lord knows how he handles a grouch like me. Very pretty scenery as always, and I guess because its the 2nd last day, it doesn't seem so endlessly long. Or I'm actually getting better at this. Or the roads are getting easier to manage. Or I'm just bloody lucky. If I keep this biking thing up, (which I may) and do this again, I'm getting new shoes (the click-on ones) and smooth wheels. I'd just go faster. Besides all of that, I've actually worn holes in my runners from gripping onto the pedals...
It still seems extraordinary to me that I'm actually here. I'm used to biking every morning now, and every time I wake up, and get on my bike again, there's almost a physical sensation of excitement, in that the body knows what to expect, and if not looking forward to it (although I can't say that's the case, its almost like a sense of relief) it at least knows what the expectations are. People I notice, seem to be getting more and more flats. Bizarre. Its making me tire-paranoid. Fortunately, I bought another two tubes when we stopped at one of our stops near a bike shop. What with all my tools and so forth, I may have no idea what I'm doing repair-wise, but at least I'll be well prepared....
Hot day today again, but better that than driving rain. You really only notice it, (or at least I do) more when you finish your break and get back on the road, as the wind really does cool you down quite a bit, even when its a hot wind. Plus I find that if I break too long (more than ten minutes) I feel quite sluggish for the first few miles when I get back on my bike.
(I'm glad I'm writing all of this down in my journal for later use on my blog, I wouldn't remember any of this a week from now....but I'll re-check the maps, doubtless I'll remember more when I see place names...)
DAY FOUR: Kingston to Johnstown
Some of the great views of the countryside you get afforded by biking, not driving or taking a train. I'm not exactly sure where these were taken, but I suspect they may have been around the 1000 Islands.
At any rate, we did 110 kms today. Rode with Gilbert. I was sluggish the first quarter, but I picked up after the break. Very pretty ride today, mostly along a bike trail, talked with G. a lot, something I haven't done with anybody while riding, because well, I could never keep up with anybody, but fortunately, here's somebody who goes my speed. He's a good guy. We got in at around 4:30, it was very hot out, around 31 degrees celsius, humid, which of course, just makes me worry about rain. But none so far, so maybe we'll get lucky. I went swimming in the St. Lawrence and oddly enough something grabbed onto my leg. I didn't panic, but turned to Gilbert, (who was also swimming) and said, "Something has attached itself to my leg." He turned around, wide-eyed, whereupon I kicked up my leg, and there, on my lower thigh, was a pair of rather stylish looking sunglasses. Perfect. I go swimming in the St.Lawrence, and I come up with eyewear. Very odd. Does this sort of thing happen to other people? I doubt it. We sat around James' and David's tents and drank and gabbed with Luis, Christian and Bruce. Then the bugs got too bad, and it was late, so we all went to bed. Tomorrow night is our last night. My God, its all going so fast.....I'm more and more in a state of terror that I will blow a tire and be stranded, unable to remember how to change it. Even James got one today, just before the first break. I am keeping my eyes peeled for glass and potholes. I imagine I'll be paranoid about them for months, even when I'm back in Toronto, walking about. "Pothole!" I'll yell, walking down the street in front of Woody's carrying only a knapsack. "A nutbar..." they'll mutter, and probably ban me from semi-polite society. Oh well, its all for a good cause....
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