Amy Winehouse: Official announcement, Lioness: Hidden Treasures

Amy Winehouse: Official announcement, Lioness: Hidden Treasures

I will forever miss this woman's voice and her feel for the blues like no other. Man oh man! Is anyone with me?

Iberry or no berries at all

I'm not sure Blackberry customers have anything to complain about. We put ourselves at risk of failure moving to cell ( mobile ) service over land based telephone service without guarantees. We bought the advertised new way, whole and without assurances. We were over impressed with the technology and so impressed, we were willing to suspend belief the quality of service would sustain and not break down. Applications ( apps ) don't apply. We expected infinite use of our cell phones without fail. I hate to tell you, it's too much to ask. Man made components have never proved to be one hundred percent reliable. In future, we may need to look for backup. Two soup tins and a string might not cut it.        

Cultural Days

I go out today in search of something. Never know what I may see. It just so happens, the province threw money at culture this weekend as if it needs making up. I hit the coffee shop first. While there, I find a program. Culture Days, in it's third day, has dance movement in front of the hydro building. It so happens, Canada's Royal Winnipeg Ballet is located across the street.  Except for inspiration, the ballet is not part of the hydro performance. The school has it's own gig in studio. I feel a certain pride knowing my daughter trained here. Music and dance is something we know well. The culture of the Ukranian people is solid in Manitoba. I played in a band with a member of the Rusalka Dance Ensemble. Today, I notice a woman who reminds me of Don's dance company. http://www.rusalka.mb.ca/our_story/our_story.html

   




Now, Winnipeg is brim full of culture. We live it here everyday. New York, Toronto or Nashville has nothing on us. I think Vancouver is bleak compared to us. We lead and others follow. No matter, I had to buy bread and shop for food a little so I took in the culture found.

Wish I had time to attended these fine government funded programs. No matter, I made my way through the culture I found. It's a sunny day and I'm not missing a thing.   

  

Bits of Where I Live

Bits by Norm Richards

I walked to the Forks Market today. On the way I snapped a few photos I saw along the way. While I grew up in a community about 500 miles north of the city of Winnipeg. My dad worked for Canadian National Railway (CN) after The Pas Lumber Company shut down. Over the history of this country, many historical hotels were owned and operated by major railroad companies. The Fort Garry Hotel was one of them. It's privately held today but when dad worked for CN we stayed at this first class hotel. The meeting and ball rooms were often filled with people in formal dress. It's here I met my first real rock group a few years before I became a player myself. It was like seeing The Searchers, The Kinks and The Animals in one room in one night. It was New Years and I met The Jury.


 

I recall seeing the movie The Shining which was set in a similar hotel as the Fort Garry. That movie's scenes passed through my thoughts years later when I attended a film industry event here. The guest speaker was Shelley Duvall who appeared in The Shining.

I remember the crazed Jack Nicholson character chasing after her through the hotel's hallways. Her performance in those scenes were powerful and totally memorable.

I approached Ms. Duvall at the social later that evening. We ended up spending the better part of the evening together and enjoyed each others company. It was such a pleasure meeting her.   

A Hollywood Encounter

Story by Norm Richards


I'm on Facebook. I do Google. I'm linked at Linkedin and any number of related places. I search for fun sometimes. Sometimes I seek out enlightenment. I enjoy the exchange and repartee with many. It's usually about music since it seems to be more focused this year on playing my new drums and sharing my deep love for music. My family and I are active on-line. So, we do laptop searches during our visits. It adds to and improves our time together. There is just no downtime or bordom. Remember when you got to visit at your aunts place? You couldn't get out fast enough. We're secure and informed at the same time. Perhaps it's the modern way. 

Much of the sharing is found on Facebook these days. I'm looking forward to some great musical associations this fall and to play the big concert my friends and I will do in August 2012. Now, that experience is going to be wonderful but I'm sure it will be fleeting. It would almost be better if we played the hometown's birthday party only after doing several road shows beforehand. I don't think it would be cheating our audience at home. Well, it was home when I was a kid. Now I live in the city.

Since social networking has evolved, email has become less attractive. It has it's good points of course, don't get me wrong. Being Linkedin also puts me in-touch with the film industry. Since I graduated film school as a screenwriter and worked as a producer for many years, I feel the need to stay in-touch.

To make a long story short, I'm logged-in at the Screenwriters and the Independent Filmmaker organizations. It's informative and good for me. I feel better after going there. I keep up with industry change. Occasionally, I throw in a quip or reply to someone seeking advice. I don't mind. It feels good to help and to share. But on the whole, I seldom advise. I'd rather read what others have to say. 

While on Linkedin, I encountered a filmmaker who posted; do we know of a "fairy godmother" who's interested in helping him. The guy appears in his profile photo holding a major size cigar. Like, he needs money and he needs to ask us? It's odd however since his question appears on the Independent Filmmakers site where the host asks: "Should new writers write for the studios or the indie market?" I felt the need to answer the guy with the cigar, although my advice is targeted for writers.

Well, he came back with a tirade and vengeance, spewing venom. I couldn't believe it! This guy is too much, I thought. I replied back. He came back with more venom. It shocked me, really. I don't think I'd ever had such an exchange. I like a good debate but it should be focused on the subject. It should never be personal. This guy, does not know me? He thought that about himself, I'm sure since he came back bragging about his track record. He has a single co-workers recommendation. He's also listed as a teacher. This is a great way to teach others, I thought to myself.

Later on in the day, I checked another filmmakers exchange with him. While, I was tempted to call him names or worse, swear at him, I didn't. But this other guy went after him for his being rude and obnoxious. I felt better! I had a little laugh too. Boy, I'm not the only one. If this is the kind of guy I'm going to encounter in Hollywood, I'm pleased to have stayed in Canada when I graduated my screenwriting studies.

Perhaps my birthday week wasn't entirely all love and bliss.  

You think?             

Evening at the Birthday Party

By Norm Richards

Wouldn't be right if I didn't bring Scott a new fishing cap for the Renegade Bass Fishing Tournament http://renegadebass.com/en/results_stats.html this coming weekend. He's a major competitor on these annual events. I want him to have good luck while wearing the new Winnipeg Jets hockey logo. It fit and he loves it. I'm pleased.

Before long we do dinner and enjoy our cake hand carried from Winnipeg. My daughter asked me to bring out the favourite, its marble. I enjoy any of the cakes made at Jeanne's Bakery.

Some enjoy the cake more than others including Breana!

The evening couldn't have been better because I got to share everyone's birthday all in one night since I can't be on-hand for each and every birthday when they actually occur.

What a wonderful evening! I look forward to next year.

Afternoon At My Destination

By Norm Richards


Just as in my last visit, photo's with the Prime Minister were necessary. Got to keep up the image, you know? My son in-law asked if I was hungry. Since the coffee and donuts at five thirty, lunch seemed a long way off. By the time we landed I was ready for a hot meal of any kind. Airline food was sparse as you can see from the photo on the right.

Scott told me he had the best place in mind. We stopped for a bowl of soup in Kanata. This wasn't just any soup. It was a meal in itself. I love when you get hot tea and sweet roles brought to the table almost without asking. Scott ordered for both of us, so I counted on him.

On arrival, his business partner was there with his wife and another couple. We knew we were in good company right away. Also, I like a restaurant that's full of the people who's country the food originates from. The next table over was festuned with a large group of oriental folks smiling and having a nice conversation. It's a good sign.

 

Sure enough, nearly burnt my face off consuming the hot sauce that accompanies the soup. Glad Scott asked for it on the side. I couldn't help stiring the sauce in librally since I like hot and spicy food. Wow! Ultra Hot! But, I was in the mood for hot food after the long flight. I sure got it. How often do you spend the time over a meal and your host spends the whole time laughing at you? Happened to me.