Let's Make Some Art, Dammit

August 31, 2015. The last of the papers were signed at the lawyer's today and the purchase should go through. More soon. In the mean time, I took a trip down memory lane by going to Rideau Carleton Raceway to lose a few dollars on the ponies (via simulcast; they only race live Sunday and Thursday) and to eat a delicious meal in the box lounge. At least, that's what they called it when I worked there. I spent two summers working at the race track (back when they ran every day) earning enough money to pay for my trip to England and Scotland in 1976. I would not leave Canada and the U.S. again until 2001, and I haven't been to Scotland since. This Thursday, though, I will be flying to Glasgow. Things coming around full circle. From Flickr http://ift.tt/1KYSPN0

August 30, 2015. Flew home from Guadalajara via Houston and Toronto. Here I am in the Houston baggage area performing the utterly pointless task of collecting my bag, dragging it 200 feet through customs, and putting it on the belt for the next flight. I did this twice today, as they make you do it in Toronto too. Anyhow, it's nice to return to Ottawa by 8 p.m. instead of to Moncton by midnight. From Flickr http://ift.tt/1JtlA4f

August 29, 2015. It's a rare opportunity to be able to photograph inside a church during a ceremony, but one presented itself today as this celebraation, photographed by many, was the cumulation of a march from Parroquia de San Pedro Apóstol to the plaza on Independencia Eje in Tlaquepaque. It was loud, with trumpets and drums, it ws colourful, and it was unexpected. I wandered around the area and then hiked for a total of 17km back to my hotel. From Flickr http://ift.tt/1JHbb49

August 28, 2015. Today we took a day trip outside of the city south to Laguna de Chapala, pictured here. We wandered around the houses and shorlines of Chapala and also Ajijic (which, I was told, contained many Canadians). From Flickr http://ift.tt/1KsbuVt

August 27, 2015. I gave a talk in the absolutely beautiful theatre at the University of Guadalajara Muso, behin which is the Templo Expiatorio church (or cathedral), where I photographed this statue commemorating the visit of Pope John Paul the second. From Flickr http://ift.tt/1Ks6hge

August 26, 2015. I did a longish workshop with a number of very nice people here at the University of Guadalajara, then we went out to the Santo Coyote restaurant, pictured here, for some very fine Mexican food. Lunch here starts at 2 and ends at 4, except sometimes they don't, which for me effectively merges lunch and supper. From Flickr http://ift.tt/1Ks6eRO

August 25, 2015. I looked up activities to do in Guaralajara and one of the suggestions was 'picnic under the golden arches', specifically, the Millennium Arch at a major intersection in the west end of the city. After a day of meetings and conversation I did not have time for a picnic, but I explored in and around the arch and found a little bench and grill ready for a picnic, shook hands with the men tending the garden, and had a nice walk after in the nearby botanical gardens, Parque de las Estrellas. Now I'm listening to the Jays in texas and preparing my workshop for tomorrow. From Flickr http://ift.tt/1NTdGEo

August 24, 2015. Delicious tacos. :) Thanks @brlamb @cogdog @Tacoslachoza Pictured: the reception, kitchen, and dining area. From Flickr http://ift.tt/1NQSPl0

August 23, 2015. Walked from my hotel down Avenida Mexico to centro, as far as the Cathedral. Then I walked back. From Flickr http://ift.tt/1ES4uuT

August 22, 2015. Flew into Guadalajara today and settled in with reasonable temperatures, inadequate wifi, and a simply awful meal in the hotel restaurant. From Flickr http://ift.tt/1JqhtF2

August 21, 2015. As it turns out, I did nothing today. More heat jitters, or whatever they are, and I decided to just stay inside, drink water, and eat salty popcorn. Evening: still in, watching the Blue Jays. Not a very imaginative way to spend a day in Phoenix, but at least I know what I'll be doing in the afterlife. From Flickr http://ift.tt/1MJu793

August 20, 2015. This is the view from the conference room at Sky Song in Scottsdale, Arizona, where we held a number of meetings after I gave my talk in the same building. I was more than a little surprised to find I was quite affected by the weather - I got the shakes and started sweating profusely. Heat and dryness - it takes time to adapt, I was told. From Flickr http://ift.tt/1PqMUno

August 19, 2015. Flew to Tempe, Arizona, at a ridiculous hour in the morning, took a nap, then went out and shot this with my 50mm lens from the street, and cropped it to this. And I have to say, even though I couldn't really afford the D750, this is why I bought it - the camera has no business capturing this shot, but there it is. A hummingbird at rest. Awesome (I stood there and watched it flying for a bit too). From Flickr http://ift.tt/1K7zJrL

Augusdt 18, 2015. Took a short 15k bike ride around Rimouski today, then got in the car and drove 800k to the Ottawa airport hotel. That was my day. From Flickr http://ift.tt/1foa3ue

August 17, 2015. Back on the road again. This photo of Lac-au-Saumon ( here ) was taken on my way to Rimouski. Did the last of the Moncton paperwork, now on to... um... Arizona... Mexico.... Casselman! From Flickr http://ift.tt/1E1VU1y

August 16, 2015. Today was a day for watching the ballgame and sorting paper - tax papers, receipts, statements, all that stuff - in preparation for the meeting with the lawyer tomorrow. This is another beauty from the front yard. Tomorrow night I'll be on the road again. I'll miss my beautiful oak and spruce trees, my lilies and my garden. From Flickr http://ift.tt/1NbY9SO

August 15, 2015. Finished a 57km ride to be greeted by throusands of people marching through the streets banging loudly on pots and pans. The celebration is known as the tintamarre, and is a tradition making the Acadian national holiday of August 15. From Flickr http://ift.tt/1TKa0q7

August 14, 2015. Bike ride up Homestead Road, the usual 55km Salisbuiry circuit. Today is a red letter day as all the conditions for our purchase have been met. When I got home from my ride I signed the papers and made it official. More details soon. From Flickr http://ift.tt/1fcxZAy

August 13, 2015. Back home, a day of rest, and maybe I can enjouy a few days off now, maybe get out on the road on my bicycle, and enjoy the dog days of August. From Flickr http://ift.tt/1DRqCuf

August 12, 2015. All-day meetings, then I took a cab to Rideau Centre and walked across downtown to pick up my baggage on the way home. This is the view from the Laurier Street bridge, looking toward Wellington and Parliament Hill. Got on the airplane and the Jays were starting to bat in the bottom of the second; as we were landing in Montreal the Jays were still batting, seven runs later. Nice. From Flickr http://ift.tt/1DRqCua

August 11, 2015. This memorial to Meg Dussault sits at the corner of Bank Street and Riverside Drive in Ottawa. I passed by it walking back to the hotel after another meeting at Billings Bridge. As a cyclist ghost bikes speak to me personally, and I can imagine the very common sort of indifference on the part of some driver that ended Meg's life. From Flickr http://ift.tt/1L9D3Bk

Abdrew 10, 2015. Work day. This is a statue of Andrew McNaughton in the lobby of building M-50 at NRC in Ottawa. He was a Canadian scientist, army officer, cabinet minister, and diplomat. He was also the head of NRC from 1935 - 1939. From Flickr http://ift.tt/1hAmIMc

August 9, 2015. Back in Ottawa for meetings. I took advantage of the Sunday evening to attend the Festival of indiaa at City Hall and was treated to an outstanding concert of classical Indian music. From Flickr http://ift.tt/1L1pLJO

August 8, 2015. Back from the road, a day of rest, before my flight tomorrow. This is from my front garden. From Flickr http://ift.tt/1IQZVSa

August 6, 2015. That's Quebec City in the background, seen behind the bridge over the St. Lawrence to the Island of Orleans, at La Côte-de-Beaupré, a nice little open area on the shores of the great river. My first trip up the north shore (so cool!). From Flickr http://ift.tt/1IVKfBI

August 5, 2015. Busy busyt day including this visit to an office overlooking the Rideau River near Billings Bridge in Ottawa - this was once my regular hangout in the city (the shopping centre, not the office). From Flickr http://ift.tt/1IVKigP

August 4, 2015. A day of wheeling and dealing and making things happen. Then I cycled into the city to Rideau Hall , the home of the Governor General, Canada's head of state. I was going to ask him to dissolve Parliament and call an election, but someone told me it was already done, so I cycled back out. Beautiful grounds, not much wildlife. Nice hare, though. From Flickr http://ift.tt/1eRAsAf

August 3, 2015. This is the view from my hotel window in the evening after a busy day. That's the Casselman iFit in the foreground and highway 417 in the background. From Flickr http://ift.tt/1P5doLq

August 2, 2015. Before continuing on my road trip I cycled around the beautiful city of Rivière-du-Loup. This is the St. Lawrence River as seen just a kilometer or two downriver from the ferry terminal. From Flickr http://ift.tt/1IE5oeZ

August 1, 2015. Scene from a rest stop on a road trip back to central Canada. More to come. From Flickr http://ift.tt/1N5Vuqx