the pod bay door

:: Greetings from The Rock. I am in Paradise. Paradise, Newfoundland, just outside of St John’s. Kim and Geoff are to be married in about 3 hours. I am staying with Charles and Debbie, friends of Kim’s, and they are the most incredible, gracious hosts. The flight from Toronto was delayed two hours on Wed night, and didn’t land in St John’s until 1:45 am Newfoundland time. I hit the sack around 4:15 am Thursday morning.

Last evening, there was a short wedding rehearsal, followed by a bbq, with a number of invited guests. It was sunny and warm, but when the sun set, the temperature dropped to under 10C! We were in our jackets, but having a great time. I played some guitar, and was joined by a family friend, John, who played the spoons. A few Beatles tunes were sung, and John sang three traditional Newfie songs as well! It was also Geoff’s birthday, and we had drumstick cake to celebrate. Needless to say, I am eating well, and not exercising, so am feeling a bit sluggish!

It was raining heavily this morning, but stopped three hours ago, so the prospect of a 5:00 pm outdoor ceremony is looking better. Tomorrow, Kenton and Susan and I will begin a three-day, post-wedding stay in St John’s and surrounding area, including a whale watching boat trip.

:: Some of the latest news on Fahrenheit 9/11 and Michael Moore:

• Fahrenheit 9/11 has set a number of box office records, and continues to do great business in its third week.
• Craig Unger, who appears in F9/11, and is the author of House of Bush, House of Saud, responds to Michael Isikoff of Newsweek, with How Many Mistakes Can Newsweek’s Michael Isikoff Make?, in partial response to Isikoff’s June 28, 2004, Under The Hot Lights column.
• A stunning photo of Moore is featured on the cover of the July 12, 2004, issue of Time. Featured articles include:
  – The World According To Michael;
  Taking aim at George W., a populist agitator makes noise, news and a new kind of political entertainment
  – The Moore Method
  – The Cultural Campaign
• Moore now has a blog.
  

:: The trip to Winnipeg thus far has been a lot of fun. Very busy, visiting both relatives and friends. Last night, Mike, Steve and I spent a couple hours visiting Chester Cuthbert, local book collector and member of First Fandom. Chester is now 91, and will turn 92 later this year. He remains in good health for someone in his age range, and he enjoyed our visit. We were able to spend a bit of time rummaging about the hundreds of boxes of books in the basement and second floor of his home, stirring up a few memories along the way.

On Saturday, we attended Tony‘s 50th birthday party. On Sunday, I went to another party, celebrating the 4th of July, at the home of my Aunt Eleanor and Uncle Carl, who previously lived in Tampa, Florida, for over 20 years. While there, I saw another friend, Natasha, who currently lives in Germany. She had flown in the day before, to attend two weddings later in the month in Winnipeg. Aunt Eleanor and her sister, my Aunt Ida, were in Germany in June, visiting relatives, and this morning, she shared her photos of the trip with me. The relatives there are descendants of my grandfather’s brother, Leslie, and his sister, Margaret.

I have otherwise been lazy, sleeping in, and then taking afternoon naps. Having not exercised for over a week, I feel like a slug! Tomorrow I fly to St John’s for the wedding, and will return to Winnipeg on July 13th. The time flies.

:: I drove into Winnipeg this afternoon, from Langenburg SK. The 4-hour trip took me through a storm system that alternated between a few drops of rain and a steady downpour. Driving at times was hazardous.

:: I begin a road trip today, driving to Langenburg SK, and then to Winnipeg tomorrow. Talk to you soon.

:: A day later. Thanks to all for the many birthday wishes I received, by comment, e-mail, card, in person, phone. It’s nice to have good friends and family who care.

I am getting ready for another trip. On Thursday I drive to Winnipeg for six days, then fly to St John’s on July 7 for the Big Wedding. I’ve never been to The Rock, and am looking forward to visiting a new province, and meeting new people. I’ll be playing guitar and – yes – singing at the wedding. Afterwards, I’ll hang out in the Avalon Peninsula for three days, with friends/colleagues, Kenton and Susan, before returning to Winnipeg on July 13th, and visiting there for a few more days. I know now that I’ll need a vacation when this trip is over. 😉

Meanwhile, check out this video of the classic 70’s tune, Afternoon Delight, as sung by Will Ferrell, Steve Carell, David Koechner, and Paul Rudd, from the movie Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy. It’s hilarious. Wonder whatever happened to the members of the Starland Vocal Band. I used to have a crush on one of the singers, Margot Chapman. Bill Danoff, who founded the band, has a web site, and he’s written some well known tunes, including Take Me Home, Country Roads.