Photo Friday: By Chance

I wasn't going to get on my bike and go for a ride. I mean, I wanted to, but the weather forecasts did not look favourable, had even warned about severe thunder storms. To back up those warnings, an hour before I left, the skies grew dark, thunder rumbled overhead, the wind picked up, and a few raindrops fell.

And then, almost as quickly, the clouds moved on and the sun came out. Even the wind seemed do die down, a little. I looked at the online radar images from Environment Canada, and though there were storm clouds registering, their path seemed to indicate that they would not pass through the capital.

I'm no meteorologist, but I took a chance that my interpretation of the radar images was right, and I got on my bike and rode.

I have mapped out a new 50-kilometre route around the city. It's similar to my old route, which was only 48 clicks: this one has me crossing the Alexandra Bridge, instead of crossing the road from the National Gallery, down to the Rideau Canal, across the locks, and onto the path under Parliament Hill.

Once on the Québec side the Alexandra Bridge, I turn onto the pathway that runs behind the Canadian Museum of Civilization and follow it to the Portage Bridge, where I cross back into Ontario and re-connect with my old route.

I also cycle onto Lemieux Island, where I speed to the water filtration plant, and back to the Ottawa River Parkway cycle path, where I continue home.

This new route is more than 50 kilometres (50.42, to be precise), which to me sounds better than the 48-point-something kilometres I used to do. This is my new normal, is something I've done twice so far this week and will do again over the weekend.

One of the things I really like about this ride is the view of the Parliament buildings from the Museum of Civilization. Perched atop a high, tree-covered cliff, the library and Peace Tower are majestic. This would be a great place from which one could watch the fireworks on Canada Day.

I just might do that.

Because I ignored the rain-storm warnings, I arrived at this place when the sun had begun its descent. Still hours away from sunset, but just as it was beginning to cast a warm glow. As an added bonus, a cruise boat was in the river, just below. I unclipped my iPhone, the only camera I had, and snapped a shot.

Sometimes, we happen upon photo opportunities by chance. Those moments can often be the best.

Happy Friday!

If I Have To, I'll Go Alone

Bluesfest is just around the corner, and I'm really looking forward to going. Last year, my family and I were out of the country, which made the first time in eight years that we missed out on this great music festival.

For seven years, I volunteered for the Ottawa Blues Society, selling t-shirts, trinkets, and memberships to our club. As a bonus of working this tent, I had unlimited access to the grounds, and I saw some outstanding performances. Highlights include Taj Mahal, Buddy Guy, Great Big Sea, Metric, Cake, and Sam Roberts. I also saw Babe Ruth, who came to Ottawa a couple of years ago--their first time to our city in 38 years. And they rocked it.

This year, B.B. King is coming, and there's no way I'm going to miss his show. At 87, he still plays a mean guitar, but at 87, I don't know how much longer he's going to be playing, and I don't know if this will be the last time we'll see him in Ottawa.

So nothing will keep me from that show.

Another musician that I've wanted to see for some time is coming on July 12, and if I have to, I'll go alone. Matthew Good has been to Ottawa a few times over the past couple of years, and every time I've wanted to see him, I haven't been successful in finding company to come with me.

Lori isn't into Matt Good. She doesn't like many of his lyrics, hates when he uses coarse language. She also thinks many of his songs are full of angst. For me, that's fine: in that regard, he's sort of Canada's version of Steven Patrick Morrissey.

But Lori can't stand Morrissey, so I see her point.

Anyway, here's a video of Matt Good performing one of my favourite songs for Toronto radio station, 102.1, the Edge. The song is called "Born Losers."



What do you think? Would you go and see Matt Good? Would you come to Bluesfest with me?

'Cos, if I have to, I'll go alone.

Bonne Fête Nationale

No, it's not our national holiday, today. Unless you live in Québec. And you believe Québec is a nation unto itself.

I was born in Québec and I work there, but it's not my national day. That one comes exactly one week from today.

But I will say Happy Saint-Jean-Baptiste Day.

It's a statutory holiday today, so I'm not at work. That's great news; however, none of my family members are off today. They're at work and school, while I have to find a way to amuse myself, alone. (Mind you, they do get Family Day, in February, when I have to work.)

I'm starting the day off with an early-morning bike ride around the city, followed by some housework, and then a much-needed haircut.

That's my morning.

In the afternoon, I'm going to find a place to sit and write, and later in the day I'll do another beer review (there's a post today at Beer O'Clock, in case you were wondering).

For my Québec friends and family who celebrate on this day, amusez-vous!

Photo Friday: Drive All Night

When my mind is full, when I need to think instead of act, or speak, when I need to get away from it all, I get in my car and I drive.

I don't think about where I'm going: the car will figure that out. Which way to turn doesn't concern me.

I just hold onto the wheel, put my foot down, and go.

For how long do I go? When do I come back? Who's to say? I think my thoughts until I can think no more. I drive until the car brings me home. If it takes all night, I drive until the sun comes up.

I'll drive all night, if that's what clears my head.

(Yes, I took the photo and drove the car.)

Dirty Politics

There is an absolute truth in politics: if you sling mud, you may miss. But you'll definitely get dirty.

To me, the federal Conservatives are like the evil Galactic Empire in Star Wars: pure evil that exists to serve itself. I see no good in that party. No best intentions. No vision for a better country. Just greed.

When it comes to the opposition, the Conservatives have one plan and one plan only: try to smear the opponents. It doesn't matter if those opponents aren't even part of the official opposition, as is the case with the NDP, who mopped the Québec floor during the last election. No, the plan has been, ever since the Liberals elected their new leader, to sling mud in his direction.

And so far, they've missed every time.

As soon as Justin Trudeau swept the Liberal leadership convention, the attack ads came out. We know the one: Justin, taking off his shirt at a charity fund raiser. The Tories tried to make Trudeau look comical, adding circus music and graphics that didn't exist during the actual fund raiser, in which Trudeau actually raised $1,900 for the Canadian Liver Foundation.

I bet Harper couldn't do that. He might raise that much to keep his shirt on.

The latest attempt to discredit Trudeau was the unsolicited information leak to the press about a charity event in 2007, where Trudeau attended and spoke, and charged $10,000 for his appearance. Before he was an MP. Where no one complained about paying the fee, even though the fee was discussed up front. Even though, in 2009, an attempt by a Tory to complain to the Ethics Commission failed.

I don't want to speak to any great length on the methods to which the Conservatives have tried to sling mud at the new leader of the Liberal party. I just want to talk about what I see.

The Conservatives are sweating. They have a lot of controversy surrounding the spending practices of some Tory senators—in particular, Mike Duffy and his buy-out by former PMO Chief of Staff, Nigel Wright. (Funny, Harper's folks can dig up details of Trudeau's speaking fees but can't come up with the cancelled $90,000 cheque that Wright wrote.) They want to change the channel, turn the attention away from themselves by slinging mud at someone else.

Smoke and mirrors. Sling, duck, and evade.

It's ironic: Stephen Harper's wife, Laureen, has headed an anti-bullying campaign but can't reign in the leader of the Conservatives. Because that's what Stephen is: a bully.

Canada's only hope is that all of the opposition parties keep their teeth firmly sunk into the scandals that are now plaguing the leading party. They mustn't let the smoke deter them. Harper is counting on Canadian citizens having short-term memories. Keep the memory fresh.

Be the Rebel Alliance against the evil Galactic Empire.

"Strong, The Force, in this young Trudeau, is. Against the Dark Side, must he fight."

The Tories love to sling mud. Keep on ducking. Because when all is said and done, they're the only dirty ones.