Fireborn

Steamy windows, street sounds surround

Urban comfort in a local café

Creative community gathers

Poets, storytellers, wordsmiths

Share spoken jewels

Poignant

Cadence and rhythm work magic

On a captive audience

A tear, a shiver

Full-bellied laughter

Fireborn

- inspired by Fireborn 2009, an evening of spoken word performances presented by the Kymeras at the Raw Sugar Café

Grateful Friday

Mika on my art table

In the midst of a bout of the February Blahs, I thought I'd list a few things for which I am grateful to help pick me up:

• Sunshine, blue skies and milder temperatures!
• Local berries frozen last summer for a midwinter treat
• Two paintings produced this past week: Giselle and Mika (above)
• D, Cassie and our home
• My health
• Fresh, organic, local veggies delivered to my door every Friday
• Friends and family
• An evening of laughter, Pictionary and Rock Band with D's brother and his girlfriend
• Three boxes of stuff purged, packed and dropped off at Sally Ann
• An evening of reading and writing at my local coffee shop
• Squam Art Workshops
• Free outdoor concerts during Winterlude, Ottawa's winter carnival
• The Mad Chatters
• A creative burst of energy and the opportunity to learn how to manage it so I don't crash
• Wonderful blogs that inform, entertain and inspire
• An obligation-free three-day weekend coming up

I feel better already. :)

Birthdays and Silver Linings

For the past few days I've been feeling like the weather - dreary and grey. But today brought a silver lining: dinner for two at the Wellington Gastropub to celebrate D.'s birthday.

Bonne fête mon chéri! :)

Scenes from a Sunday Bike Ride

D. and I took the bikes out for Sunday Bikeday along the Ottawa River Parkway today. We played with my camera ...

rest stop view of the Ottawa River

lace

action shot

savetheparkway

back home

Fun at the Shanghai

"Oooh we have a karaoke virgin people, be gentle. Be GEN-tullllll..."

And before I knew it I was looking out at a full restaurant belting out Rodgers and Hammerstein's Do, Re, Mi with Lala and China Doll. Oy. I should've known something would happen when Lala and I ordered a bottle of Pinot Grigio instead of a glass of house white each.

To think that I had just been sharing with her that I've been feeling dull and boring lately, like I've lost my edge; that I've been wanting to recapture even a portion of that zest for life I had two years ago when I moved to Elgin Street and spent the summer expanding my comfort zone, trying out new things and letting loose for some fun.

Well last night took care of that.

Do, Re, Mi incident aside, my evening at the Shanghai restaurant was a hoot! The atmosphere was one of family, friends and merriment. The karaoke was just a fluke of good fortune on our part too - someone booked China Doll for a birthday party so Lala and I got a surprise karaoke treat with our dinner! Regular karaoke night is Saturday and you can be sure I'll be checking THAT out.

What an awesome way to kick off a weekend and what an awesome way to tap into that zest for life I know I have in me. I guess it's just a matter of finding opportunities like these to let it out.

Happy Canada Day

Wave a flag, play hockey, plan a cross-country road trip ... it's Canada Day!

D. and I will most likely hop a bus downtown to join the thousands of people on and around Parliament Hill. It's a pretty big do - living in the nation's capital on Canada Day has its perks!

Have a good day eh?

Local Summer Freebies Roundup

It's summer in the city and time for a roundup of local, frugal activities:

BOB FM's Movies on the Beach
Touring the city's beaches with a 24 foot inflatable screen, BOB FM once again offers free movies on selected Friday nights. The public gets to vote online and choose which movies will be screened. Friday July 11th is Summer Blockbuster night at Petrie Island in the East end - voting is still open. Check the BOB FM Web site for the full schedule.

Canada Day festivities (downtown)
I might be a little late with this one, but I couldn't leave it out. Take in some of the activities and great Canadian talent in and around the city - all for FREE! Whether it's the noon-hour show on Parliament Hill with the Snowbirds and 21-Gun Salute, the more mellow entertainment with a folksy flair at Major's Hill Park or the amazing fireworks display, Ottawa's definitely a happenin' place on Canada's birthday!

Centretown Movies
Held in Dundonald Park (corner of Somerset and Lyon), these pay-what-you-can movie nights are another fun, frugal way to enjoy a summer evening. What's neat about these is that proceeds from Saturday night screenings benefit Centretown Movies, Friday night screenings benefit the community organization that hosts the event. Movies start at 9pm.

Noon Under the Bridge
From July 24th to August 7th between noon and 1pm, there will be free music wafting up from under the Plaza Bridge (Elgin at Rideau/Wellington). Styles will range from classical to celtic to contemporary, with a bit of folk & blues thrown in for good measure. Not a bad way to spend a lunch hour non?

Orchestras in the Park
This is a series of four concerts presented by the National Arts Centre Orchestra and the National Capital Commission. They take place from July 17th to the 20th at Lebreton Flats. If you've never been to the symphony, here's your chance to try it out for free - and no need for formalwear, just bring your lawn chair!

Et voilà, five fun frugal summer events in the nation's capital. 'Til the next roundup!

Acadian Culture in the Capital

On Thursday, June 12th, 1755 (Web site is French), our own "Acadian Beatles", will be opening up Westfest and I can't wait! The evening will focus on Moncton NB's music scene with concerts by Marie-Jo Thério, Julie Doiron and of course, 1755. From the Artists link on the Westfest Web site: "Having an East Coaster play a tune by 1755 is akin to anyone of Irish descent playing a song by the Irish Rovers on St. Patrick's Day." They're not kidding.

The best news is that Westfest is entirely FREE! Come get a taste of good ol' Acadian culture; it should be a hopping good time!

Sweet Sweet Summer

I am intoxicated by the sweet smell of summer that greets me in the morning and soothes me before the night's slumber.

Sunday morning I spent over two blissful hours out on the deck, listening to the summer breeze rustling overhead leaves, drawing, reading, writing. Sunday afternoon was spent at a nearby park playing Travel Scrabble with D. An abundance of summer activities await: a June wedding, a family reunion, camping, outdoor music festivals, summer vacation, r&r and adventure.

Yup, sweet summer indeed.

Public Art: Having our Say

"What does public art mean to you?" he asked, movie camera and foam-covered mike staring me in the face.

"Nothing too profound really. It means beauty, surprises, something that makes my stroll along a city street that much more enjoyable."

Ok so that might not be word for word what I said, but I do remember babbling the words "beauty" and "surprises". And in hindsight, did I sound like a total ditz? No matter. I digress.

In the process of reconstructing Wellington Street West, the city of Ottawa is commissioning a series of public art for installation in the Wellington Village and Hintonburg communities. Last night, as residents of one of those communities, we had a chance to have our say in the matter and help choose whose artwork would grace our streets. D. and I got to meet and chat with each of the five finalists and comment on their work. Not only did we get a preview of what could become a permanent part of our streetscape, we got to hear directly from the artists about their vision, inspiration and choices behind their designs. What a delightful experience!

And where do the camera and the babbling come in, you ask? As an interesting bonus, D. and I were interviewed by a local guy making a short documentary on the Hintonburg community (D. roped me into it). The guy, who makes films for a living, has been filming and interviewing residents at local events to eventually present a short film to City Hall's urban planning folks. In the meantime he'll be posting snippets on YouTube. I'll let you know if we make it up there - but only if my hair looks good. ;)

Happy Earth Day

Hear a bird, notice a flower, hug a tree. It's Earth Day.

For a list of local happenings check out Green Living Ottawa or Ecology Ottawa's April calendar.

Earth Hour 2008

Did you sign up yet? It's not too late!

Earth Hour North America

See you on the dark side. Tonight. Eight pm. Be there.

And It's Open!

The Rideau Canal is open for business! I just came back from a one-hour walk along the Canal and it's beautiful. People of all ages, shapes and sizes are enjoying the outdoors and the experience of skating on the World's largest skating rink.

There was so much to take in.

I delighted in watching skaters confidently weave their way in & out of the crowd as much as I enjoyed watching beginners teeter through their first strides - children and adults alike. I smiled at the sight of a group of young girls wearing ankle-length skirts and bonnets on their heads, laughing and chattering as they skated almost in unison. But the highlight was without a doubt watching a little bundle of pink Gore-Tex discover the properties of ice as she repeatedly kicked a piece of frozen snow, oblivious to the world around her.

It took a lot of energy to get my butt off the couch and into the cold but the energy gained from the experience was well worth it. Next time I might even strap on the skates.

Vintage Clothing Sale

Two posts in one day! You'd think I'd keep this one in my back pocket for tomorrow, but time is of the essence.

For any locals who happen to read my blog before 10am tomorrow, a public service announcement courtesy of OttawaEvents.org ...

Patchwork quilts, lace table runners, silver dresser sets and antique Christmas ornaments will be among the many household items for sale at the 23rd annual Vintage Clothing Sale, Nov. 18 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., at the Fairmont Château Laurier Ballroom. Admission is $7. Visitors are encouraged to bring a non-perishable food donation for the Ottawa Food Bank. The reputation of sale has grown over the past 23 years and is a ‘must attend’ event for those looking for unique apparel. Over 40 exhibitors offer an incredible selection of men’s and women’s clothing from the 1890s to the early 1970s as well as antique jewelery, accessories, linens, lace and collectibles.

That's tomorrow morning, 10:00 at the Château Laurier folks. I look forward to it! Last year I left with several pairs of vintage gloves; I wonder what I'll get my hands on this year. :)

A Panoramic Treat

I attended a Facilitation Skills workshop this week at the Marriott Hotel, downtown Ottawa. This morning the hotel bumped us out of our room and upgraded us to one of the most beautiful meeting rooms I've ever seen.

Located on the 28th floor of the hotel, the Sussex Room has a wall of windows offering a panoramic view of downtown Ottawa and the Gatineau hills that just blew me away. I ate my lunch on the mezzanine, sitting in a wingback chair facing the Parliament Buildings. I couldn't think of a better place to be at that moment.

Here's a description of the hotel's top floor revolving restaurant - Merlot Rooftop Grill - with a similar view, just to give you an idea of how breathtaking our city and its surroundings can be.

It was decidedly a panoramic treat.

Seamus is Dreamy

Seamus O'Regan is dreamy.

D. and I attended a live outdoor taping of Canada AM in the ByWard Market this morning, and Seamus is even cuter in person than he is on TV. Swoon.

It all started with a scoop that Blue Rodeo was playing for free in the Market this morning - a live performance for CTV. Then we found out that they'd be playing between 6:30-9:00am. We were there shortly after 7am, Bridgehead coffee in hand. What fun! Turns out the entire morning show was live from Ottawa, not just Blue Rodeo.

It was interesting to see the camera crews and the behind-the-scenes work. Margaret Atwood, another Canadian icon, was a special guest. But Blue Rodeo and Jim Cuddy (swoon) stole the show. What a great way to spend a sunny Friday morning. And oh yeah, did I mention Seamus was dreamy?

A Day in the City

D. and I were up bright & early yesterday morning and decided to take advantage of it by spending a great day downtown.

Stop #1: Breakfast at the Elgin Street Diner
Friendly servers, oodles of coffee and a good ol' greasy breakfast. Need I say more?

Stop #2: Museum of Nature
Did you know that admission to the Canadian Museum of Nature is free Saturday mornings? We spent nearly two hours browsing the permanent galleries and a thought provoking exhibit called The GEEE! in GENOME that had interactive quizzes related to the responsibility, business and ethics of genomics. What a fun, educational, cheap way to spend a Saturday morning!

Stop #3: Bridgehead
After spending a few hours on our feet at the Museum it was time to sit down and relax with a cup of our favourite Bridgehead coffee. We walked down Metcalfe St. to the coffee house and enjoyed some of the architecture along the way.

Stop #4: Home for a bit of a rest

Stop #5: A 6.93km Urban Trek
Ok this isn't really a stop, but it was a major part of our day. We decided to check out a few addresses that had apartments for rent to get an idea of their surroundings. We ended up zigzagging through city streets for over two hours, exploring many neighbourhoods I'd never seen. When we got home we used the Gmaps Pedometer to discover we'd covered: 6.93km.

'Twas a good Saturday! I look forward to doing it again. And I think that last urban trek probably worked off a good portion of the greasy breakfast, non?

Next Movie on the Beach: Ghostbusters!

Voters have chosen - the next free BOB FM Movie on the Beach will be Ghostbusters! Mark your calendars for Friday, July 13th.

From BOB FM's Web site:

"The screening at Westboro Beach is a free family event so pack up the kids, lawn chairs, blankets and snacks and make your way to the beach to see a movie under the stars...it's a drive-in...without the cars. Limited parking on site but alternative parking can be easily accessed off Lanark Ave off Churchill, where you'll have a short walk under the Ottawa River Parkway beach path to Westboro Beach."

Last week a few guys showed up carrying a futon to enjoy the show in comfort. I might bring my pillow next time - and more snacks. :)

Hope to see you there!

Frugal Fun in the City

It's been a while since my last post; I just didn't have it in me these past few weeks. But I'm back to tell you about some frugal fun happening in the city! If you're watching your pennies, check out these activities ...

NCC's Opera Under the Stars
I may be a bit too late for this one (June 30th is the last night), but it's still worth a mention. How often do you get a chance to enjoy opera with full orchestra for free? And if you've never given opera a try but are curious, what better price is there to experiment?

RCMP Musical Ride Sunset Ceremonies
Also a bit late for this one, but at least you've got two days to catch it. The show runs from 7:00pm to 9:00pm tonight and tomorrow, Canada Day.

BOB FM's Movies on the Beach
This is fun. D. and I spent last night curled up under a blanket on the slopes of Westboro Beach, watching Jaws on a inflatable screen with the Ottawa River as a backdrop. It's the drive-in of yore enhanced by an incredible view. The next movie is scheduled for Friday July 13th - you can vote for your choice online. My vote goes to Psycho.

Centretown Movies
Another free movie festival, this time in the core of downtown. Movies are screened in Dundonald Park on Somerset, between Lyon and Bay. Movies coming up include Casablanca, Little Miss Sunshine and Al Gore's An Inconvenient Truth.

These are just a few activities I've come across during the past few weeks and they're all free. You can't any more frugal than that!

Ottawa Farmers' Market

In the spirit of exploring local food supplies, I decided to check out the Ottawa Farmers' Market last Sunday. Its Web site promises that "all goods sold by the vendors who participate are produced by those vendors." Works for me.

Armed with an empty daypack, a bottle of water and my camera, I set out on foot on what turned out to be a gorgeous morning and a fulfilling experience.

The market itself was lovely: stalls with fresh asparagus, greens & berries, golden honey, herbs, perennials and preserves. A horse-drawn wagon loaded with families made its way through the parking lot, pulled by what looked like a pair of Clydesdales. The icing on the cake? A man sitting in the middle of it all strumming his guitar, singing Murray McLauchlan's Farmer's Song - a song heard oh so many times in my household, where Dad used to strum & sing it every Sunday morning too.

Although some of the vendors I was hoping to see were absent, I found others. I'd gladly return. Next week I plan to explore Ottawa's Organic Farmers' Market, but that'll be another post.

The Ottawa Farmers' Market is held every Sunday at Lansdowne Park from 8:00am to 3:00pm.