Brilliant!

I generally hate reality TV. I just find it so contrived. Now I admit to watching 3 reality TV shows; Survivor as the grandpapy of reality tv and a study in human nature and group dynamics, Amazing Race for the scenery and American Idol to admire the raw talent of the young singers often in awe and envy (I can't sing to save my life unfortunately).

This evening I added a fourth show.

I've just spent two hours watching the premiere of Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution on ABC where he takes on the American diet in homes and in schools, starting in Huntington, West Virginia.

This was riveting TV watching public school kids choose and eat processed food over Jamie's whole food creations. Most heartbreaking was watching the Edwards family caught in the fried and processed food trap leading to serious weight issues and potential health problems for them and their eldest son Justin in particular.

But there were glimmers of hope as Justin Edwards learns what good food is and how to cook it himself under Jamie's wing. Good on ya, Justin! One of the teachers decides to teach her children what vegetables look like and the school principal rolls up his sleeves on Jamie's last day in the kitchen and teaches the kids how to use a knife to cut their food! Even the lunch ladies' armour seems to be developing some chinks by the end of the episode.

Just "brilliant" as Jamie would say.

Courage and Strength

Courage and strength are... going on and skating when you would rather curl up in a ball and cry.

Go Joannie Rochette!

Our hearts are with you, on the ice and off.

2009 - My Music Year in Review

Another timely blog post... !

2009 was another excellant year for music, both live and recorded for me. While people were partaking of the 100 mile diet, I was partaking of the 100 mile musical diet, finding a number of new and interesting local musicians, including Andrea Simms-Karp, Sarah Hallman, Tall Trees and Jill Zmud.

Concert highlights of the year included Stars at the Bronson Centre, a number of NAC shows including a pops concert (SciFi Spectacular) and two Stuart McLean Vinyl Cafe shows.

I didn't attend the Cisco Ottawa Bluesfest this year, mainly due to the preponderance of dinosaur rockers in attendance (Kiss, anyone?). It turned out to be a wise decision given the cold and wet weather of early July.

The Ottawa Folk Festival was wonderful again this year. I wrote about it in detail on a previous post. See http://creative-wryting.blogspot.com/2009_08_01_archive.html.

A November trip to Compact Music to look for a disc led to a surprise meeting with Ottawa's Jill Zmud who was there for an in-store performance to launch her record As we quietly drive by. The peculiar thing about the encounter was that I had just finished reading Ottawa Express' review of the Album, walked into the store and there she was.

December saw the family at the National Arts Centre to see Stuart McLean's Vinyl Cafe Christmas concert. Musical guests were Jill Barber and Matt Andersen. While Jill was entertaining, Matt was spectacular. When he finished singing, you could hear a pin drop and then the crowd rose to their feet in applause, with just his first performance. Matt plays a mean guitar and sings with incredible sould. Stuart commented that he was sure Matt would warm up for his next performance!..

The December 26th podcast of the show has Matt's performance at another location and he got a standing ovation there also. Another Vinyl Cafe / Matt Andersen is available on the March 13 or 16, 2010 CBC podcast. http://cbc.podcast.com/_service/getEpisode.php?episodeId=53001956. Check out his "Ain't No Sunshine" performance. Brilliant!