Little Brother Blues: Friday, October 24th!

Love all, trust a few, do wrong to none. -William Shakespeare, playwright and poet (1564-1616) 

good morning ,patrick.off for the w/e.what time would suit you on sunday and monday.we are back sunday morning and will be going out in the evening.are nexus cards necessary? have a nice w/e; matt 

Had a comp ticket to Not a Mystery: "The authors in this event haven't written traditional mysteries but that doesn't mean that the levels of intrigue aren't high. Dutch novelist Herman Koch’s gathering of not-so-nice characters (one of whom ends up dead) and Carrie Snyder’s part historical page- turner, part contemporary “mystery” about family and memory are tense at every turn. Russell Wangersky brings us a dark psychological thriller about a man who pokes into people’s lives through their abandoned grocery lists. And Ian Weir’s narrator keeps his secrets to himself through the dark alleyways of 1816 London. These authors use the elements of a good mystery as a way of telling stories, slowly disclosing information, building suspense and tickling your brain. But, as Koch says, “the important question is what the characters are going to do with their knowledge.”

The Dinner

Not that I didn't want to attend, I did, (Plethora of riches!), but decided I'd try to attend Turning the Page: "It’s a time of immense change in the publishing world, from self-publishing to the digitization of books themselves. With these changes have come positive outcomes, including the opportunity for writers to take control of their work and the ways it’s distributed. But there are questions about the future of the industry—particularly digital copyright issues, the future of publishing houses and the changing ways that people read. Award-winning science fiction writer and technology activist Cory Doctorow has first-hand experience navigating these changes. In Information Doesn’t Want to Be Free, Doctorow addresses the “pitfalls, and the opportunities, creative industries (and individuals) are confronting today.” Curious about how creativity and the Internet are interacting? Find out from someone whose finger is on the pulse."

Ian Weir

as I'd been so impressed with Cory and what he had to say,as well as how he said it, at an earlier session.  Managed to score a seat, in the balcony, no less, at the Improv Centre. Didn't even know that this part of the venue even existed so that was fun itself. reminded me of the Child Room at the Ridge! Glad that I did as he was as mesmerizing and informative/provocative as on the former occasion. Among the many critical hats he wears, he is "an activist in favour of liberalising copyright laws and a proponent of the Creative Commons organization, [CC is a non-profit organization headquartered in Mountain View, California, United States, devoted to expanding the range of creative works available for others to build upon legally and to share.], using some of their licenses for his books. Some common themes of his work include digital rights management and file sharing." Brilliant discussion of issues that affect us all and a workable call to arms!

Back home to have a bite to eat and then returned to the Waterfront Theater to take in Books Beget Books: "Not every writer would agree that everything you’ve read somehow becomes a part of you. But how else to explain the lasting impact of words on a page? Rabih Alameddine’s character Aaliyah keeps company exclusively with her writers—living and dead. They are her companions, with whom she shares her thoughts, in the midst of the Siege of Beirut. Nadia Bozak is clear that her trilogy is based closely on the works of McCarthy, Coetzee and Conrad—taking the core elements from a classic work of each of these authors and reworking them in light of her own race, gender and experience. Tom Rachman’s character Tooly, inhabiting the World’s End bookshop, reflects that readers keep their books “because these objects contained the past—each volume a piece of one’s intellect.” These three writers’ books are permeated by what they have read and loved."

Carrie Snyder

Session was moderated by John Freeman who did a masterful job, and I mean masterful, of introducing the authors. However, I'm sad to say, once event was underway he seemed to force the discussion and this severely curtailed what had promised to be a lively, animated panel. Ironically, Alameddine’s protagonist, Aaliyah, is a translator and Rabih stated that as far as translation is concerned, he feels very strongly that the "voice" translator should never find its way into the work being translated. Unfortunately, Freeman insisted himself into the discussion and it was vastly poorer as a result. In fact, the authors themselves were not, for all intent and purposes, given an opportunity to speak at length or bounce ideas/opinions off each other.  Must say I was very disappointed.

Russell Wangersky

No never mind as first event that evening was The Magnetic North: "As research, Martha Baillie hiked on Baffin Island to the Turner Glacier and back before staying in a hamlet where the main language is Inuktitut. Her resulting novel is a hallucinatory journey to the Arctic and through time. Sjón has called Iceland his home his entire life and the country oozes out of everything he writes. His books, plays and poetry are filled with myths, legends, gremlins and spirits that all inhabit the Icelandic history and psyche. Kathleen Winter journeyed across the Northwest Passage, where “the whole majesty and the power of that land and everything in it completely ambushed me.” Her memoir bears witness to the melting North, and the animals and people who live there. Why does the North have such an impact on creative imaginations?"

In this instance, Ian gently prompted the authors but allowed them free rein and the resulting discussion was incredibly revealing and rewarding. In fact, perhaps more so than their actual readings, although Winter's was palpably haunting. The whole question of what "The North" meant or means to the three writers was fascinating and from a literary point of view, shed novel and important light on the subject, at least as far as I was concerened. In this repsect, Sjón's comments, as the "outsider" were wonderfully illuminating, challenging common stereotypes and assumptions. As well, Kathleen's experience of the "land" concretized what is almost impossible to articulate, let alone describe on the page.

Cora Lee had to leave after the session was over. She was attending an anniversary dinner at Heartwood so I was solo barkeep for next event, An Intimate Evening with Miriam Toews: "If you’ve wondered how Miriam Toews’ characters can range from the tough-talking, funny, sarcastic Naomi in A Complicated Kindness to the freedom- yearning Irma Voth to the despondent, suicidal Elfrieda in her latest novel, All My Puny Sorrows, spend an hour with Toews tonight. She’s funny, self-effacing, thoughtful and articulate—and she’s had more than her share of heartache. Her new novel is her most autobiographical, she easily admits. “It was a way of keeping my sister alive and in my imagination and in my memory, where she still resides.” Toews writes from the heart, and speaks from the heart, too. Her honesty has touched readers worldwide."

Although Camilla very kindly and generously presented me with a ticket to session, I decided against attending. Not that I didn't want to listen to Miriam but, I must admit, by this time, not only that night, but also by this time in the week, I was, simply put, tired. Furthermore, we'd attended another VWF event, earlier in March, I think, when she had been with Steven Galloway so I felt I could "afford" to miss this appearance. Tallied up the bar receipts and then made for home where I where I went to bed, almost immediately, to read more of The Cold Cold Ground until Cora Lee returned from the very successful celebration at Heartwood.

Hi Glasgow! My last VWF shift doesn't start until 4:40 pm on Sunday afternoon so I plan to do most of the errands and packing for trip before then. Perhaps you could phone when you are back home to coordinate bike drop-off, tentatively, around 3:00 pm, if that suits. Apparently there is a half-marathon event on Sunday and I don't know how that will affect traffic patterns here or elsewhere, and when. I assume hings will be fine later in day. As well, Cora Lee will be at three consecutive VWF events, (with church thrown in for good measure, after second!), so she won't be around, basically from 11:00 am till 10:00 pm, in terms of someone being here.

All of this being said, let me know when you think you might be able to drop off bike on Sunday and we'll plan accordingly. I should be able to tailor my schedule, more or less, to be here. It will only take a minute so I can probably even walk over from Performance Works during a quiet shift time to take possession of bike. Let's cross that bridge if we needs must. Of course, we can always do this Monday morning but I'd prefer to have as much done as possible, befoerhand, of course. Anyway, enjoy your weekend. VWF has been wonderful so far! Cheers, Patrizzio!

Pic: Last night's session with Sjón, first Icelandic author at VWF. Unbelievably riveting, entertaining, informative, humourous event, truly!

P, thanks for the update on the Fest. Sounds wonderful. Tim Winton is a favourite author of mine. Does he have a new book? Nice day shaping up here. Jane is still snoozing. W

Hi Patrice, Pretty exciting stuff going on with the festival! Glad you have been able to meet and greet all those celebrity authors and mingle with the representatives of different countries! great experience!!.

Regarding then scotch tasting, Colleen does not seem overly enthused as she does not care for malt and figures why spend $40.00 if she does not plan to imbibe. I don’t know weather it is an option to just hang out and not partake in the tasting as details are scant as I mentioned. i should say that that is unusual for Paul and in his defense he is in the middle off trying to sell his old house and moving into his new one as well as all the work stuff with film . Not a surprise that he can’t think too much about other stuff. 

Might as well make it a boys night out, I can ask Chris my neighbour if he wants to go . What about Branko ? do you think I should ask him?. Cheers, A

Miriam Toews

Hi Big Al! I guess we''have to try and enjoy ourselves without The Babes! Put me down for a ticket. I'd give Ragin' Bull a shout. Have not seen him in a bit but he may well be interested. We can work out details of transportation closer to date. Must away Cheers, Patrizzio! Pics: Sjón!

Hi Patrick, the piece aired today. So sorry for the delay. The Ottawa story changed everything. I will send you the mp3 Mon. Tks!

Hi Michelle! Understand completely! Caught you filling in at noon earlier in week. Well done! Cheers! Sjón, Iceland

Miriam Toews

Hi y'all, We have caught American.  Well we are nearing the end of our little trip. Done Frisco nearly done Denver had a great time last night drinking the wine you chose good reports all round so well done.  We have decided to look into doing a wine tasting course so that we actually understand what the tastes relate to other then just tasting great.  A little bit of knowledge might help getting a clearer picture of the nuances involved who would have guessed.

Claire's meetings went very well and we/I invited  a couple back to Aus next year nice couple bit young but not well travelled so why not, one out of your book Patrick. I think we did a good thing coming over for meetings we are  now also catching up with couple in London next year. An expanding group of friends one of our things in retirement. We are also getting a bit better at just enjoying ourselves a disease I think we have caught from you guys.

We saw the news re the shooting in Toronto it seems the world is getting more uncaring. Cheers from Greg and Claire

Miriam Toews

Hello Sommeliers! Terrific that you have had such a grand time! Been so busy with VWF that we haven't had a moment to miss your dear selves! Unfortunately, we seem to have caught Strine, something we obviously contracted from you two!  Are you related to Tim Winton, Greg?

Know that you will be busy getting ready to return home but if you have a moment to let me know about mechanics of ride over Golden Gate, over coming week, that would be much appreciated. Glasgow and I might entertain the junket while Whirlygig is bashing a squash ball. Alternatively, we might simply stay in Berkeley and conduct our own wine tasting course! Fondestos from Cora Lee. Travel safely. Cheers, Patrizzio!

Pics: Couple of Festival authors. James Ellroy, from the US, (LA Confidential with Guy Pearce in film.), and Sjón, from Iceland.