Saturday, October 27, 2007

On-Air Training

bloopers and blunder day

i blurted some un(or inaccurate)truths in a shakey voice when was put on the spot a bit this morning (BEFORE COFFEE) to chat on air, during Chelsea Morning. but at least i didn't babble on trying to correct myself. and then later, i typed "They" as in THEY weren't clear about where listeners can PURCHASE the music however... where there is no edit feature.


furthermore, when i said NO i wasn't blogging at work what i meant was NO that's not what concerned them. etc etc etc

ACK. whatev. good day everybody!

if you put on a puppet show

for five and six year olds -- you've got to hold their attention. And, if not, they're going to be sticking their fingers into each other's ears and falling out of their seats.

Adults have a venner of politeness which means they will stay to the end even though they're bored out of their trees. But kids, they're something else.

-- Margaret Atwood, on performing for kids

Thursday, October 25, 2007

Dr. Vassanji

Dr. Vassanji, Thanks so much for agreeing to speak with us on CFRU 93.3 in Guelph. I know, as well, that the community appreciates and anticipates your participation as Literary guest at the Guelph Lecture – On Being Canadian!. On Friday November 9 at the River Run Centre, I understand that you will read from the Assassin’s Song.

Have you selected/how hard has it been choosing what you will read?

The Assasin’s song is largely set in India, but I read on the internet that you have never been. Is that so?

You have a fascinating background of Indianness, transformed by Africanness, and have lived in the US and since 1978 in Canada.. Much of your work involves characters in an in-between societies predicament, and the Canadian immigrant experience -- characters who are trying to reconcile different worlds within themselves. .So I wonder, what do you value about Canadian Society?

What sacrifices have you made in live in Canada?

Much of your work shows immigrant families undergoing a consumer-centered re-birth, and sometimes how pressures to blend into the mainstream results in a loss of tradition and culture. What can you tell me about concerns you have about what you see in our society?

It is often said that Canada is a country without a unified or common national identity, but clearly we are a country with complex cross-cultural strands of competing identities and cultural experiences. So, I want to ask, what does it mean to you, to be Canadian?

In 2005 you were made a member of the Order of Canada. What has that meant to you?

Many believe we are at an important juncture in human history, a cusp of critical change, given global politics, developments in technology, and the state of the environment. Are there any steps that you as an individual take to ensure that we emerge from this time of change in better shape?

The Assasin’s Song examines and exposes conflicts between the spiritual and the intellectual and also conflicts between different generations. So, thinking of the future, what role do you think Canada or Canadians could/should play in the changing world?

What can you tell us about your process as a writer?
What can you tell us about your experiences as an editor?What do you miss about working in the world of nuclear physics?
What work are you the most proud of and why?

As I understand it, you made literary history as the first-ever author to win two Giller prizes for excellence in English-language Canadian fiction. Since The Assasin’s Song is up for the prize this year, I wish you luck in becoming the first-ever author to win the prize three times.

Thursday, October 18, 2007

Zunior.com - the little digital music store------------------------------------------------------Usage Rules
1. Your use of the Music is conditioned upon your prior acceptance of the terms of this Agreement.
2. You shall be authorized to use the Music only for personal, noncommercial use.
3. You shall be entitled to export, burn or copy Music solely for personal, noncommercial use.
4. The delivery of Music does not transfer to you any commercial or promotional use rights in the Products.

Reminder: the download links available in your 'My Account' area will expirein 14 days, and you can download the music a total of 1000 times.

Sunday, October 07, 2007

CD Rls Concert in Kitchener

Andrew Cash was very appreciative of the fact that Shannon Lyon arranged the show, and was honoured to play with him "on his home turf." SL made me wish for an electric guitar afterall, and I liked how I could hear his in-breaths in the new mic. It was an intimate, comfortable-enough-for-alcohol-free venue and I forget how AC phrased the fiscal impracticality of such theatres, but it was funny. Both performers were comfortable, conversational and humoursly personable between songs... But, my favourite moment/number of the whole nite however, was the undaunting two chord song.

I wished to be the helpful page turner, or lyrics reciter... but did at least offer two cents. "Take $10" I bossed, about the latecomers, "and suggest the DVD," and I think they took my advice.

You can hear and/or download samples from the show at http://www.soundmann.com/

p.s.
wouldn't it be great if AC's old material was available somewhere for purchase by download?