Harbinger of Secrets
Harbinger of Secrets is now available through Amazon.com
Click HERE to see the page.
November 9, 2009
November 4, 2009
Congratulations, Mr. Frayne!
A deserving man who is invited to meet Prince Charles because of his own war effort in WWII.
Local war vet to meet prince – St. Catharines Standard – Ontario, CA.
October 30, 2009
Harbinger of Secrets goes global
I’m pleased to announce that my novel, Harbinger of Secrets, will be available through Amazon.com, Amazon.co.uk, Amazon.ca, Barnes & Noble, Target, Ingram Books, Baker & Taylor, and other major booksellers as of December 1st, 2009.
October 28, 2009
Michael Ignatieff shakes up his team – thestar.com
It may be difficult for some to understand that I was laughing out loud by the time I’d read to the end of the following Star article. Ignatieff should have been a comedian; his antics are unbelievable. The article’s last line “It is not known whether Fairbrother will remain as communications chief,” pretty much sums up what I perceive as the party’s dismal failure to promote the visiting Ignatieff as the right man for Canada.
Who in their right mind could possibly want Ignatieff running the country with these sorts of underhanded tactics? Good God! (And if I could emphasize those two words any more I would!)
I would rather call the article, “Shuffling the Chairs on the Titanic.”
This was the second laugh of the morning, the first being when CHCH News played a part of the song, “Ground Control to Major Tom” immediately following its interview with Dalton McGuinty. I should add that one of Dalton’s best lines in this morning’s interview was “…I understand we are running a significant deficit, but we’re all going to have to do what we can…”
Screw you, Dalton – you were the one who got us into this mess.
Great way to start the day.
October 26, 2009
Dusting off the lens
I haven’t been out and about with my camera for some time, so on Saturday morning I dusted off the lens and took some shots. I prefer black and white photography on overcast days, and Saturday was rather dismal here in Niagara. I took the following at Victoria Lawn (which incidentally, is the only cemetery in the world with a highway running through it. Bet you didn’t know that!)
Just a bit of trivia.
Copper Leaf Fire in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario
We were in Niagara-on-the-Lake this morning and saw the former Copper Leaf shop reduced to ruins.
October 25, 2009
Books
The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society
I am currently reading The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society (Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows) which came highly recommended from a number of sources. Although just a quarter of the way through, I can’t say that I’m enthralled so far, despite the huge success of the book. Hopefully, it’ll get a bit more interesting because right now I’m pretty much reading and turning the pages just to see when the excitement will kick in. I’m surprised at my reaction (thus far) because normally I thoroughly enjoy books set during the 1940s.
One thing I must say is that the cover design is marvellous. It’s remarkably well done by Roberto de Vicq de Cumptich.
One Christmas in Washington
I am also reading One Christmas in Washington: Churchill and Roosevelt forge the Grand Alliance (David J. Bercuson and Holger H. Herwig) which I have to say is more riveting at the moment.
I really think my tastes lean more toward non-fiction than fiction.
October 23, 2009
October 22, 2009
Still fitting
The following is quoted from the Ireland Monument Canada website. It is an obituary for (my former employer) Dermod Owen-Flood, at whose office I worked in the early 1980s. Although he passed away two years ago, this obituary is still interesting to read.
THE HONOURABLE DERMOD DIMITRI OWEN-FLOOD, Q.C.
The Honourable Dermod Owen-Flood, Q.C. passed away at his home inVictoria on September 20th, 2007 amidst the members of his close and loving family. Dermod was born in Dublin, Ireland on September 17, 1931. He was educated at Stonyhurst College in England and Trinity College,Dublin where he obtained his law degree. Upon graduation, Dermod left Ireland, heeding to the concept of “go west young man”, and went to Alberta. He helped Premier Manning write speeches on his arrival, articled and was called to the Bar in Alberta. Dermod became the first full-time resident lawyer in Banff where he pursued his love of law and skiing. Together with his wife, Pamela, they worked hard in order to earn a living and provide a good education for their children, Roderic, Marc and Deidre. In 1964, Dermod decided to move his family to Victoria, British Columbia. His career flourished. His friend and frequent opposing counsel, Brian R.D. Smith, Q.C. described Dermod Owen-Flood’s entry into the criminal justice circuit in British Columbia as follows: “Dermod was like a whirling dervish: mounting savage attacks on unsuspecting prosecutors who would shortly find their informations quashed for vagueness and multiplicity, their cases dismissed summarily on Morobito motions, and their popularity with local juries diminished forever!”
Dermod was one of the leaders of the criminal bar for over twenty years. His entry into the Courtroom echoed that of the late great Marshall Hall – gowned trailing, dollies of books tugged by earnest juniors and papers flying everywhere. Witnesses were addressed by their four or five Christian names followed by the surname. In a melodious pleasing Irish Cadence, they would be asked patiently to recite the events. At first he was kind and then suddenly he would turn on a witness, where appropriate, and sweep around him, gown flowing and papers still flying. He would confront the witness with previous inconsistent statements, demolish him, and dismiss him, telling the jury that there was no use asking any more questions of such a witness! Dermod was painstaking in his preparation, had a vast grasp of the evidence and, without reference to notes, always had a magnificent summing up. He was witty, often unpredictable, and unfailingly courteous to the court and to counsel as well as the officers of the court and court participants. These very qualities served to make him an excellent trial judge when he was appointed to the Supreme Court of British Columbia in 1987. Dermod Owen-Flood was very much the quintessential Renaissance man. Jeffrey Green, Q.C., a former partner, recalls him as: “a superb practitioner of the law, both as barrister and judge but his real interest was in life and its rich ingredients: literature, history, art, current events, politics, food and wine, the great outdoors, friends, conversation and humour and most importantly, his family.” Mr. Green relates how Dermod was always sensitive to cases in which the State or its agent had engaged in an abuse of power. While this reflected his concern for the underdog or little man, his real objective was to drive home the twin messages that the ends do not justify the means and that the State is not above the law, no matter how unpopular that might have made him in some quarters. Dermod always took a keen interest in younger lawyers who were starting their practices. He unfailingly helped them wherever he could. Peter Firestone, a former junior, relates that “Dermod understood the human condition. He showed compassion to his fellow man through his career as a lawyer and a Judge. His sense of humour was always present.” Peter Firestone recalled that Dermod was “able to turn the bon mot and use his sense of humour effectively as counsel. He was asked to have his name in the Who’s Who and his resume in fact was put into that book. However, he could not help himself as he added to the resume the fact that he was a charter member of the lump fish [poor man’s caviar] association of British Columbia. There was, of course, no such association but he knew how to take the mickey out of himself and the publication never queried him about his membership!” Adrian Brooks, Q.C., another former junior, recalls Dermod as a stellar Judge and outstanding barrister. “While Dermod had many briefs of considerable importance, it was his treatment of the lesser known cases and the lesser known clients for which I will remember Dermod. With every client, Dermod ensured they received the best defence he could provided. No matter how terrible the allegations, no matter what the client’s station in life, that person received the best quality of representation Dermod could muster. Some say Dermod fought for the underdog -which he undoubtedly did, but more importantly, he fought for the equal treatment of every person before the law.” Robin Baird who was one of Dermod’s last articled students and who frequently appeared before him in Court, described Dermod as “…one of the greatest characters ever to don the barrister’s robes in the British Columbia. He was principal, mentor and father confessor to an entire generation of lawyers and, through them, his influence at the local bar will be felt for years to come. He had a riotous, irreverent wit, a thespian’s sense of denouement, and a versatile and nimble intellect that made keeping up with him both a challenge and a pleasure. He was a lucid and accessible writer, a complex and engaging thinker, and above all a wise and convivial companion. He applied himself industriously to my professional development, taught me the importance of rigour and balance, and took me sailing on his yacht. He maintained an active and kindly interest in my life and career over the many years of our friendship that followed. I miss him greatly.” Dermod Owen-Flood was my partner, mentor and friend for over thirty years. I remember one morning Dermod storming into my office waving a newspaper account of a man who had been sentenced to eight weeks in jail for stealing $1.40 from the wishing well at the Empress Hotel. Dermod was outraged that such a Dickensian type of sentence could occur in our modern society. He promptly phoned the jail and talked with the individual who had been unrepresented. He represented him for free, secured his immediate release, and the sentence was in due course reduced to time served. It is Dermod’s sense of justice, fair play as well as his zest for life which will endure for all those who knew him. Tragically, he died on the eve of the 50th anniversary of his marriage to his beloved Pamela, while he was still making important contributions to his community. He departed too soon for all of us. Vale! Chris Considine
October 21, 2009
Private Audience
My note: The following is from montreuxmusic.com… (What I wouldn’t give to see Caballe in person!)
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A PRIVATE AUDIENCE WITH MONTSERRAT CABALLE !
We have had a dialogue with Montserrat for over three years. Finally we have found dates that are workable for both of us.
Montreuxmusic will present a Christmas Recital with Montserrat Caballé at the Montreux Stravinsky Auditorium on Saturday November 21st, 2009.
Then, a very special event takes place the next day Sunday November 22nd, 2009. Montserrat will be present at an afternoon event, which will give all Freddie fans, Montserrat fans and FREDDIE & MONTSERRAT fans, the chance to meet and learn much more about
“THE LADY WHO SCREAMED WITH FREDDIE”.
It will be hosted by Peter Freestone, who was present for much of the time Freddie spent with Montserrat. He will guide you through Montserrat’s career and the BARCELONA album. Montserrat will talk about various events in her life, and fans will have the opportunity to ask Freddie’s own DIVA questions they have wanted answered for years!
There are a limited amount of places available, so make sure you reserve your place at this once in a lifetime event.
Price per person: CHF 90.—(or 60 euros)
1 pm : Montreux Tribute to Freddie. Great opportunity to discover Queen and Freddie tracks from a string quartet, keyboard and two voices. click here
2 pm – 4 pm : Montserrat Caballé & Peter Freestone. The Private Audience. Unique and once in a lifetime event ! click here :
Location : Theater of the Gymnasium of Burier (former CESSEV)
References : Rock4 and Greg Brooks – 2008 Freddie Mercury Memorial Day
Meeting point : 12.15 pm at Freddie’s statue. Coaches will bring all participants to the Theater. Please be on time by the bus stop right above the Market Place on the main street. If you have your own car you may reach Burier on your own. Parking will be organized for you there.
October 20, 2009
October 11, 2009
Harbinger of Secrets is now available in…
Harbinger of Secrets is now available in eBook form. http://stores.lulu.com/britishgingerpress
