And we're down to the final proofs

One last, good look before going to press.

(Image: qingguitar.com.)

Something's coming...

...looks like our printing deadline...omg!!!!!!

(Image: allstop.com. And just kidding, we're like, hardly panicked at all.)

Just one more little tweak...

Our next NQ is coming together now, elements aligning nicely...except for, what's that still on the "To Do" List? Oh, yeah, design the cover. Yeah, people might notice if that's missing...let's think, what to highlight from the magazine? Or maybe we should just pick something pretty 'cause it's summer?

(Image: rightreading.com.)

My, but he was one cool dude

Our copy is in, and we're about to start proofing, and in this short lull between production phases I have a few moments on my hands, which means of course I am trying to figure out the finale of Lost. I know, right? Anyway, here's a few thoughts.

(Image: z.about.com.)

Copy Deadline

Always a little intense.

(Image: timeinc.net.)

And we got a holiday - will you run away?

What's your preference for May 24th? Heading out to the woods for some trouting? Opening up the cabin for a few rounds of r&c and 120s? Firing up the backyard BBQ and letting the young ones eat as many hot dogs as they want? Hope you have great fun doing what you like. Me, I'm close to home this long weekend, wandering what seems like a quiet city. But I'll have some compensations. First, I'll finally have time to catch the beautiful and talented Alan Doyle in Robin Hood. Second, there's a new issue of Riddlefence on the go, and you just know it's going to be a wicked read. And third, and I really love this, I heard a busker on Water Street yesterday, singing Lady Ga Ga's Telephone, and she was excellent.* Really hope to see her performing over this first of the seasonal holidays.

(Image: eta.co.uk.com.)

*Subliminal message: support the good buskers!

Good manners do work

I saw what must be the politest fender bender this morning. Coming through Rawlin's Cross, a truck started to make an ill-advised (and I think illegal) left turn and whacked into a small black car. Both drivers jumped out immediately.

First man: I don't (bad word) believe it!
Second man: It's my fault. Let's pull over here.

And all was well.
Meanwhile, everyone else driving through the Cross had their eyes on the accident and never checked to see if any pedestrians (me) were on the crosswalk, putting my life in peril like fifty times. But I dodged my way through, on this lovely spring morning.

(Image: amazon.com. Weren't these books the best?)

A morning hit better than coffee

Life chez us was off to a nice start this am, thanks to Mr. Sunshine outside, and Funky Dory on the radio (Janet Cull was also singing with 'em).

(Image: net/photos.)

Mittens in May just feels so wrong

We've got to do something. Anyone own a copy of this book? Know any Druids? Apparently there's a spell or something we can try.

(Image: freephotoshare.)

Ac-cent-u-ate the positive

"...and our temperature is two - plus two - degrees."

-CBC Radio's Morning Show host Jeff Gilhooley really, really tries to get listeners off to an optimistic start.

(Image: foodfoodbodybody.wordpress.com.)

Memo to Self

Re: the weather

Never, ever say, "at least it's not snowing."
No, not even in July.

(Image: a happier May picture, courtesy profs.info.uaic.ro.)

Big Fish

This is a really wonderful film.

(Image: spectrumculture.com.)

RDF & SAD

A couple of years ago, I did a commentary for CBC Radio's Morning Show. I wanted them to stop reading the weather forecast. It seemed that, each morning, we would be informed that today we would see fog and drizzle and a high of 8, and tomorrow we would see fog and drizzle and a high of 8, and so on, into the middle of the next month. My argument was twofold: first, as this was depressing enough to send the entire populace back to bed, the whole thing was best ignored until the situation improved; second, that 8 was not "a high", but just a number, and "highs" should, come spring at least, be reserved for at least two digits. Anyway, we seem in another such trough these past weeks, which brings me to another thing about the forecasts - they sound the same, but the weather, day to day, is not the same. A mild, or even cool, overcast day can be quite lustrous. The moisture in the air can bring about gorgeous effects - like those rainbows on Sunday evening. So the old RDF is not always that bad - and anyway, as our former Premier A. Brian Peckford once so memorably said, "Some day the sun WILL shine."

(Image: ucalgary.ca.)

New Exhibit @ The Rooms

There's a press preview of Edward Burtynsky: Oil at The Rooms this afternoon; I'll be there for the NQ and we'll have a review in the Summer Issue - and maybe you'll have a chance to see it for your own self.

(Image: washingtoncitypaper.com.)

Oh, yeah, this could be your homepage

"The quantity of chocolate used shows thoughtful restraint, resulting in a harmonious balance of biscuit and chocolate. This is good to see in these times when an almost vulgar over use of chocolate is the resort of less talented biscuit manufacturers."

-Biscuit of the Week

(Image: chocolateuniversityonline.com.)

An Extra/Ordinary Life opens May 15th

Spent part of yesterday afternoon at the Emma Butler Gallery, talking with Gerald Squires about Conrad Furey; a retrospective of Furey's work opens there next week, well worth checking out and it will be online, too.

(Image: hamiltonspectator.com.)

To change that (season) dial

Walking home yesterday evening, and then back to the office this morning, I truly tried to ignore the fact that the wind was enough to knock you over, and the temperature is within a few degrees of snow capability. Instead, I tried to focus on my happy place, which right now would be summer, anywhere. I studied the trees and could see that yes, they are starting to bud. And I passed by lawns that are green, and dappled with pretty purple flowers, I think a kind of violet. I even started to wonder what this season's Boom Boom Pow hit might be.

(Image: wordpress.com.)

The gift that keeps on giving

Have you noticed that cupcakes seem to be the in gift for Mother's Day this year? It's a definite trend, for whatever reason - not that there is anything wrong with cupcakes, of course.

(Image: squidoo.com.)

Everybody take cover

Remember the man in The Curious Case of Benjamin Button who was struck seven times by lightning? His story was gently told, pitched for humour, but of course real life events are much more troubling. So let's keep safety first as we navigate this unusually stormy Tuesday.

(Image: wikipedia.org.)

I Heart Times Square

Met the weekend news from Times Square with a sense that was almost proprietorial - after all, it was only two weeks ago that I was wandering around there, getting in everybody's way (and lucking into a diner that served the best piece of cheesecake in the world). Anyway, let's hope all keeps well - and, hey, did you know there's a webcam?

(Image: top-things-to-do.com.)