boston mini-vacation, days 1 through 4
This must be a huge Skip It! for most readers, but I write this blog for myself as much as anyone else, and I must have a record of all…
personal
Life and Books
I am braving the heat in my sunny and a/c-less work corner (it’s the 3rd day of 34 degree heat) to post because it’s been so long. Last week, before…
greetings from boston
Astute baseball fans might recognize this as Fenway Park, seen from behind the outfield. This would be totally unremarkable… if I hadn’t taken it five minutes ago from my hotel…
the limits of empathy: eyes wide open, but not all the time
In light of the horror show taking place in Ottawa, this would be the perfect time to post notes from “Can We Stop the Harper Agenda,” the big panel discussion…
happy (belated) birthday to me
A friend noted a certain absence on wmtc and wondered if perhaps I’m not thrilled about turning 51. I do usually announce my birthday here! I didn’t this year because…
sevens are wild: join us for wmtc7
On the seventh day of the seventh month, at the seventh hour… well, it’s really the 19th hour, and anyway it doesn’t matter because those time divisions are arbitrary… but…
secrets from your sister, one awesome store
Before I begin a series of political posts, here’s a personal-consumer post. I highly recommend the Toronto store Secrets From Your Sister to anyone in the GTA in need of…
iPads and a new Job
Just a couple of pieces of great news for now. First, last week my wife won an iPad through The Peak’s iPad a Day in May contest, and then I…
A Brief Encounter with Meaning
Today I walked to the post office to mail a copy of my book to my dear friend J who is currently living in China. I’ve meant to do it…
#8!
BookNet bestsellers: Canadian fiction in great company! Web of Angels hanging out with Why Men lie by Linden MacIntrye, The Winter Palace by Eva Stachniak, Half-Blood Blues by Esi Edugyan…
new york moments
I’ve just returned from a lovely brief trip to New York City and points nearby. Apologies to friends who I didn’t notify that I was coming in; I was in…
happy diego day!
One year ago today, we adopted Diego. I had just gotten home from my spring New York visit. Allan and I had been looking at dogs online, and had decided…
happy opening day
Red Sox! Baseball! Today! The beginning of a new baseball season is a harbinger of spring, bringing hope, renewal, and… the end of school! In a few days, I’ll be…
From Grimsby to Winnipeg: Web of Angels Travels
If only I had a cell phone with a camera I’d have taken a shot of the view of the lake and the city skyline across from it yesterday evening.…
shit men say to men who say shit to women on the street
A long time ago, when I was in my early 20s, I was once venting to my mom about some ongoing street harassment. There was a construction site near my…
My Favourite Spot for an Interview
I met Greg Quill (Toronto Star) at Faema’s, a coffee shop 5 minutes from my house. It’s on Dupont Street near the Jaguar dealership which is rumoured to be turned…
Celebrating a Bestseller in the Best Way
Here’s what my children did yesterday. First a creation by H landed on my desk. Pen holder by H, click to enlarge The congratulations section swivels to reveal To and…
Web of Angels: Bestseller
This morning, after oatmeal (with maple syrup, a Sabbath treat), I was at my desk drinking coffee. Emails had arrived from my agent, editor, and publicist. After I read them,…
Braving the Police Station
Some of you may remember how I had to overcome my shyness to do the final research for Web of Angels. I’m very comfortable in interviews and I can do…