George W. Bush ate dinner at Osteria De Medici last night. His five dining companions ate Alberta beef, but George decided on pasta.
This was deemed newsworthy by the Toronto Star, CBC and Canada.com.
It makes me mildly uncomfortable to know that one of the world's most reviled men spent yesterday evening in my neighbourhood, at a restaurant that I walk past almost daily. On the other hand, I've always found Osteria a bit pompous. I mean, c'mon. Who has valet parking in a strip mall?
Calgary, "perhaps the only city in Canada that would have him", was the first stop on Dubya's post-presidency speaking tour, a dubious honour at best. He spoke at a $400-a-plate, invitation-only, media-barred luncheon at the Telus Convention Centre. I didn't make the invitation list.
I first heard about Bush's impending visit in the Herald, but most of the reminders came from a fabulous group of people going by the name 'People Vs. Bush'. Over the past several days, they've organised a number of anti-Bush events, including a mock trial, a memorial wall, a rally and a film festival, and garnered a fair amount of media attention in doing so. (They actually invited Swallow-a-Bicycle to take part in the mock trial, but unfortunately I got the message too late.)
The protest rally on Stephen Avenue started at about 11:30 this morning. When I had arrived at work, a few hours earlier, the street was already swarming with police and well-dressed men in shiny black cars. When 11:30 hit, Johnny and I decided to check out the action.
As we approached, we could see that Stephen Ave was packed. We stopped before crossing Macleod ("There's no way I'm jaywalking," said Johnny, staring pointedly at the police van next to us) and, as we stared across the street, it was obvious that there were two distinct groups filling the street.
First, and most colourfully, were the protestors. They had signs and banners, demanding the truth behind 9/11 and justice for the victims of a reckless regime, denouncing illegal wars and state-sponsored torture. One woman was dressed like a Guantanamo prisoner, standing next to an elastic-propelled "shoe cannon". They chanted "Go home!", "Criminal!" and "Shame on you!"
Then, outnumbering the protestors almost 10-to-1, were the luncheon's attendees, stretched out in a line that started at the Convention Centre doors and went all the way down the block, then around the corner. Due either to massive oversight or sadistic planning, the luncheon's security measures had slowed entrance to a crawl. Access to the building was limited to a single door, and guests were subjected to searches so intimate that, when they were proved weaponless, they went scrambling for the wine bar to help forget the ordeal.
As a result, several hundred of Calgary's wealthiest citizens were left outside, single-file, waiting in the cold, being heckled, chastized, jostled and booed by passionate objectors.
Walking down that line was a surreal and somewhat terrifying experience, like walking past a living chain of cut-out dolls. The attendees were almost completely demographically homogenous: the vast majority were Caucasian men, between the ages of 40-70, and wearing identical navy-blue business suits.
If these are the people tugging on Calgary's political puppet strings, it's no wonder this city sometimes drives me fucking insane.
The reports say that over 1,500 people paid $400 a head to attend the luncheon, a fact that makes me ashamed and disgusted to call Calgary my home. Where is that money going? What about that man makes him worth a $400 ticket, makes him worth standing in the cold, being heckled by two hundred protesters?
In Johnny's neighbourhood, people had glued Bush's face to the soles of old shoes, tied them together and tossed them over phone lines. For the past several days, whenever he looked up, there was an unmistakable statement: "You're not welcome here."
This morning, Johnny opened his door to discover all the shoes had vanished. "They can't clear the snow off our streets," he grumbled, "but heaven forbid they offend George W."
Apparently Aldermen John Mar and Ric McIver were inside the luncheon, while I spotted Druh Farrell and Joe Ceci outside with the protestors. It occurs to me that the alderman I like (Farrell, Ceci, Pincott) must have a pretty damn hard job. Thank you, councillors, for your ongoing work.
In fact, Farrell and Ceci were among the only familiar faces in the crowd. I ran into Karen Ball from CADA, but... that was about it. I didn't even see Grant Neufeld! (though I'm sure he was there)
I was surprised. I had expected to see throngs of my artist friends, outraged that this war criminal was being welcomed in our hometown.
Now, granted, I was hardly committed to the protest myself. I wandered through the crowds, made some snide comments as I walked past the luncheon line-up, grabbed a breakfast wrap at Jugo Juice, and went back to work. As I walked back to the OYR office, I wondered, why wasn't I there in the midst of it? Why wasn't I hoisting a placard, yelling "Criminal!" with the rest of the crowd?
I don't know.
I hate the actions that Bush took while in office. I hate that he deemed Calgary to be the friendliest place for his first post-presidency appearance. I hate basically everything he represents. But somehow, the appeal of Excel spreadsheets and final reports overpowered my righteous outrage.
So that's me. What about you?
Why weren't you there?
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Monday, March 16, 2009
Feminesque
Over at the Facebook page for Kabuki Guns Burlesque, a discussion about burlesque and feminism has arisen. After all the attention that my last burlesque post received, I figured there might be some interest! The post can be found here.
I'll be taking in quite a bit of burlesque in the next little while, starting with the KGB's Burlesque Fest on March 20, and then the Garter Girls at a fundraiser for the ACAD Feminist Book Club on March 27. Perhaps you can join me?
I'll be taking in quite a bit of burlesque in the next little while, starting with the KGB's Burlesque Fest on March 20, and then the Garter Girls at a fundraiser for the ACAD Feminist Book Club on March 27. Perhaps you can join me?
Saturday, March 14, 2009
Dudes
This weekend is insane.
Leaving aside the usual batch of Swallow-a-Bicycle insanity (Sexual Outlaws party tonight, Spark a Revolution rehearsal tomorrow), I'm performing in a staged reading of Gross Indecency: The Three Trials of Oscar Wilde tomorrow and Monday with Maple Salsa.
I'm acting. Ahhh!
This all started a few weeks ago, when Elan Pratt of Maple Salsa sent out an e-mail, saying that they were in search of nine (count 'em, NINE) male actors to do a staged reading in March. I hadn't acted in a while, and this sounded like a nice low-pressure, low-commitment way to get back into the game, so I signed up on the spot!
... and that's why I've spent about twenty-five hours over the past three weeks in the Theatre Calgary Rehearsal Hall with nine other dudes. Under the expert direction of Javier Vilalta, we can now read out of binders like nobody's business, and I'm confident that we will kick some serious Victorian ass on Sunday and Monday.
It's a long play, and there are long stretches where I have nothing to say or do, which has given me plenty of time to contemplate. And at some point I realised... I don't spend a lot of time with guys.
It's been months since I've had a "boys' night" of video games and beer. I don't watch hockey or soccer or (insert organized sport here). And when I do get together with buddies, it tends to be one-on-one catch-up time.
While a nine-man cast doesn't do much for Calgary's plentiful community of talented and underworked female actors, it certainly creates a unique environment.
The rehearsal hall isn't really representative of your typical male bonding experience (well, maybe it is... we spend a lot of the time half-dressed and stroking each other), but I've been delighting in the opportunity to spend time with dudes. Every time Brad asks me to check the hockey scores on my Blackberry, I mentally pump a fist in the air. As I convey the third-period stats of the Penguins vs. whoever, I am part of the inner sanctum of male-ness. I follow sports! I am man!
Then I nibble on one of Brad's bakery-fresh peanut butter cookies and squeal at its yumminess.
After one of our rehearsals last week, a few of us ended up at the Auburn (where we accidentally caught the first rehearsal of the Calgary division of the Sons of Negus, which pretty much ruled!) and, over the course of two beers and some unsatisfying hummus, we talked about comic books and movies and assorted nonsense. It was rad.
I socialise a lot, but I don't tend to hang out very much. After this show is over, I think I'm about due for a full-on guys' night.
Any takers?
Leaving aside the usual batch of Swallow-a-Bicycle insanity (Sexual Outlaws party tonight, Spark a Revolution rehearsal tomorrow), I'm performing in a staged reading of Gross Indecency: The Three Trials of Oscar Wilde tomorrow and Monday with Maple Salsa.
I'm acting. Ahhh!
This all started a few weeks ago, when Elan Pratt of Maple Salsa sent out an e-mail, saying that they were in search of nine (count 'em, NINE) male actors to do a staged reading in March. I hadn't acted in a while, and this sounded like a nice low-pressure, low-commitment way to get back into the game, so I signed up on the spot!
... and that's why I've spent about twenty-five hours over the past three weeks in the Theatre Calgary Rehearsal Hall with nine other dudes. Under the expert direction of Javier Vilalta, we can now read out of binders like nobody's business, and I'm confident that we will kick some serious Victorian ass on Sunday and Monday.
It's a long play, and there are long stretches where I have nothing to say or do, which has given me plenty of time to contemplate. And at some point I realised... I don't spend a lot of time with guys.
It's been months since I've had a "boys' night" of video games and beer. I don't watch hockey or soccer or (insert organized sport here). And when I do get together with buddies, it tends to be one-on-one catch-up time.
While a nine-man cast doesn't do much for Calgary's plentiful community of talented and underworked female actors, it certainly creates a unique environment.
The rehearsal hall isn't really representative of your typical male bonding experience (well, maybe it is... we spend a lot of the time half-dressed and stroking each other), but I've been delighting in the opportunity to spend time with dudes. Every time Brad asks me to check the hockey scores on my Blackberry, I mentally pump a fist in the air. As I convey the third-period stats of the Penguins vs. whoever, I am part of the inner sanctum of male-ness. I follow sports! I am man!
Then I nibble on one of Brad's bakery-fresh peanut butter cookies and squeal at its yumminess.
After one of our rehearsals last week, a few of us ended up at the Auburn (where we accidentally caught the first rehearsal of the Calgary division of the Sons of Negus, which pretty much ruled!) and, over the course of two beers and some unsatisfying hummus, we talked about comic books and movies and assorted nonsense. It was rad.
I socialise a lot, but I don't tend to hang out very much. After this show is over, I think I'm about due for a full-on guys' night.
Any takers?
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
Hopkins Happenings - March 2009
I don't know how it happened, exactly, but March is BUSY! There aren't enough hours...
(Also, how is it March already? We're three months into 2009? Geesh.)
Here's a taste of what's keeping me occupied in the next several weeks:
For a couple of years, I was the curator of filling Station magazine's flywheel reading series, which takes place on the first Thursday of each month. Now, I'm coming back as a performer!
flywheel puts the spotlight on local writers, and always features an eclectic mix of poetry, prose and... well, in my case, "miscellaneous". Hosted by ryan fitzpatrick (on his birthday!), the March edition of flywheel will feature readings by Patrick Horner, Stuart Ian McKay, Brent Schaus... and me! My performance will involve cake and wackiness. You don't want to miss out on cake and wackiness, let me tell you.
'We Should Know Each Other' - Silver Jubilee!
In February 2008, I started hosting 'We Should Know Each Other' parties at my apartment. Now, a year later, we have reached WSKEO #25! Twenty-five freakin' parties... that's a lot.
I'm going to be in a celebratory mood, so if you've been meaning to attend a WSKEO but just haven't gotten around to it, maybe this is your moment! And if you don't know what the hell I'm talking about, but you're intrigued, drop me a line and I'll give you more details.
Networking and hummus! Hooray!
There will be games, prizes, face-painting, hot dogs, hot chocolate, and a special reading of Neil's play, Gnomes, performed by Trevor Reuger, Karen Johnston-Diamond and Andy Curtis. And if you really want to get into the spirit, you can gather a team of four and compete in a series of games for the legendary Golden Finklebottom Trophy! The entry fee for a team is only $50, and there are some fantastic prizes to be won.
For more info, you can contact Neil at foilcup@telusplanet.net. It'll be good fun for a good cause!
Gross Indecency
Okay, so it's actually a staged reading, but I'm pretty psyched to try out my "actor" hat for a while. This month (March 3-22), Theatre Calgary is producing The Ideal Husband by Oscar Wilde. As a bonus for Wilde fans, they invited Maple Salsa to perform a reading of Gross Indecency: The Three Trials of Oscar Wilde by Moises Kaufman. The play interweaves actual courtroom testimonies with excerpts of Wilde's writing (notably his letters and parts of The Picture of Dorian Gray) and the words of his contemporaries. Sodomy, poetry and Victorian rivalries - what more could you want?
I'm thrilled and intimidated to be working with a kick-ass cast of local gentlemen: Peter Aitchison, Mathew Glessing, Braden Griffiths, Kevin MacDonnell, Derek Paulich, Michael Rogers, Brad Simon and Geoff Woods, under the direction of Javier Vilalta. It's a really interesting script, I'm quite proud of the work we're doing in rehearsal, and all the proceeds benefit Maple Salsa's next show. Winning combination!
To reserve seats, call 403-294-7440 ext. 1344 or email jkinch@theatrecalgary.com.
The third instalment in the 2008-09 Motel Series! Highway 63 delves into life in Fort McMurray, the heart of the oilsands and a centre for global controversy. Six theatre artists (of a rather all-star variety: Georgina Beaty, Layne Coleman, Charlotte Corbeil-Coleman, Greg Gale, John Popkin and Jonathan Seinan) have spent three weeks living in Fort Mac, meeting its residents and soaking in the reality of Northern Alberta. Based on this experience, they will perform an original creation that spotlights the people of Fort McMurray, from waitresses to riggers, social workers to labour leaders.
I'm tremendously excited about this highly topical show from a group of incredibly talented artists. It's a one-week run with a limited capacity, so make sure to snag your tickets early! To reserve, call Downstage at 403.294.7459.
Spark a Revolution
Swallow-a-Bicycle has been invited to create an original performance for the event - our Edmonton debut! If you're going to be up in E-Town, this promises to be an utterly rockin' party. And hey, you can get a tax receipt for part of the ticket price. Bonus!
You can get tickets here or by calling 780-409-1910
Even aside from all the stuff I'm personally involved in, March is simply crammed with awesomeness. There's Factory Party 5, Blitz Weekend at the playRites Festival, the premiere of Watchmen, Ayla Stephen's one-woman show Tree Hugger, the $100 Film Fest, the Improv Brier, a Francophone Poetry SLAM, Burlesque Fest, and the Curvilicious fundraiser, just to name a few. There's certainly no excuse for boredom!
Then, coming up in April, I've got Honesty with the Motel Series and Shhhh! with Swallow-a-Bicycle... ah, but those are topics for another newsletter.
Have a great March!
(Also, how is it March already? We're three months into 2009? Geesh.)
Here's a taste of what's keeping me occupied in the next several weeks:
- flywheel reading series
- 'We Should Know Each Other' - Silver Jubilee!
- Sexual Outlaws
- Loony Winter Carnival
- Gross Indecency
- Highway 63: The Fort Mac Show
- Spark a Revolution
Thursday, March 5, 7:30 pm
Pages Books on Kensington
1135 Kensington Rd NW
For a couple of years, I was the curator of filling Station magazine's flywheel reading series, which takes place on the first Thursday of each month. Now, I'm coming back as a performer!
flywheel puts the spotlight on local writers, and always features an eclectic mix of poetry, prose and... well, in my case, "miscellaneous". Hosted by ryan fitzpatrick (on his birthday!), the March edition of flywheel will feature readings by Patrick Horner, Stuart Ian McKay, Brent Schaus... and me! My performance will involve cake and wackiness. You don't want to miss out on cake and wackiness, let me tell you.
'We Should Know Each Other' - Silver Jubilee!
Sunday, March 8, 7:00-11:00 pm
Chez Mark
In February 2008, I started hosting 'We Should Know Each Other' parties at my apartment. Now, a year later, we have reached WSKEO #25! Twenty-five freakin' parties... that's a lot.
I'm going to be in a celebratory mood, so if you've been meaning to attend a WSKEO but just haven't gotten around to it, maybe this is your moment! And if you don't know what the hell I'm talking about, but you're intrigued, drop me a line and I'll give you more details.
Networking and hummus! Hooray!
Sexual Outlaws
Wow! Swallow-a-Bicycle has a brand-new website! How great is that?
*ahem*
It's been a while since the Swallow-a-Bicycle crew last got our party on, and we're due. Join us for an evening of eroticism, debauchery and dancing! The evening has a killer line-up - Kris Demeanor, The Firm Handshake, Seven Story Redhead and DJ GoodWord - not to mention some other surprise performances, sexy hosting by AJ Demers, body painting by Reia Lance and Aga Bona, and a prize raffle for sex toy packages ("His", "Hers" and "Couples").
We're going to rock the Palomino in sensual Swallow-a-Bicycle style. Hope you can be there!
Loony Winter Carnival
Saturday, March 14
Palomino Smokehouse
109 7th Ave SW
Doors at 9:00 pm, Show at 9:30 pm
Tickets $12 in advance, $15 at the door
Wow! Swallow-a-Bicycle has a brand-new website! How great is that?
*ahem*
It's been a while since the Swallow-a-Bicycle crew last got our party on, and we're due. Join us for an evening of eroticism, debauchery and dancing! The evening has a killer line-up - Kris Demeanor, The Firm Handshake, Seven Story Redhead and DJ GoodWord - not to mention some other surprise performances, sexy hosting by AJ Demers, body painting by Reia Lance and Aga Bona, and a prize raffle for sex toy packages ("His", "Hers" and "Couples").
We're going to rock the Palomino in sensual Swallow-a-Bicycle style. Hope you can be there!
Loony Winter Carnival
Sunday, March 15, 11:00 am-6:00 pm
Tuxedo Park Community Hall
202 29th Ave NE
$20 per family, or $5 per head
In April, the final show in the 2008-09 Motel Series is Honesty, a new script by Calgary's acclaimed playwright, Neil Fleming, co-presented by his new comedy company, Two Sheds Theatre. Because he's fabulous, Neil wants to pay his actors; hence the Loony Winter Carnival, an afternoon of fundraising and good, clean fun!
There will be games, prizes, face-painting, hot dogs, hot chocolate, and a special reading of Neil's play, Gnomes, performed by Trevor Reuger, Karen Johnston-Diamond and Andy Curtis. And if you really want to get into the spirit, you can gather a team of four and compete in a series of games for the legendary Golden Finklebottom Trophy! The entry fee for a team is only $50, and there are some fantastic prizes to be won.
For more info, you can contact Neil at foilcup@telusplanet.net. It'll be good fun for a good cause!
Gross Indecency
Sunday, March 15 @ 6:00 pm and Monday, March 16 @ 7:30 pm
Theatre Calgary Rehearsal Hall
EPCOR CENTRE for the Performing Arts
Pay-What-You-Can
Mark Hopkins? Performing in a script-based play? Shocking!
Okay, so it's actually a staged reading, but I'm pretty psyched to try out my "actor" hat for a while. This month (March 3-22), Theatre Calgary is producing The Ideal Husband by Oscar Wilde. As a bonus for Wilde fans, they invited Maple Salsa to perform a reading of Gross Indecency: The Three Trials of Oscar Wilde by Moises Kaufman. The play interweaves actual courtroom testimonies with excerpts of Wilde's writing (notably his letters and parts of The Picture of Dorian Gray) and the words of his contemporaries. Sodomy, poetry and Victorian rivalries - what more could you want?
I'm thrilled and intimidated to be working with a kick-ass cast of local gentlemen: Peter Aitchison, Mathew Glessing, Braden Griffiths, Kevin MacDonnell, Derek Paulich, Michael Rogers, Brad Simon and Geoff Woods, under the direction of Javier Vilalta. It's a really interesting script, I'm quite proud of the work we're doing in rehearsal, and all the proceeds benefit Maple Salsa's next show. Winning combination!
To reserve seats, call 403-294-7440 ext. 1344 or email jkinch@theatrecalgary.com.
Highway 63: The Fort Mac Show
March 24-28 @ 8:00 pm
Thursday, March 26 @ 11:00 pm
Saturday, March 28 @ 2:00 pm
Motel (across from the Big Secret Theatre)
EPCOR CENTRE for the Performing Arts
Tickets $12
www.downstage.ca
The third instalment in the 2008-09 Motel Series! Highway 63 delves into life in Fort McMurray, the heart of the oilsands and a centre for global controversy. Six theatre artists (of a rather all-star variety: Georgina Beaty, Layne Coleman, Charlotte Corbeil-Coleman, Greg Gale, John Popkin and Jonathan Seinan) have spent three weeks living in Fort Mac, meeting its residents and soaking in the reality of Northern Alberta. Based on this experience, they will perform an original creation that spotlights the people of Fort McMurray, from waitresses to riggers, social workers to labour leaders.
I'm tremendously excited about this highly topical show from a group of incredibly talented artists. It's a one-week run with a limited capacity, so make sure to snag your tickets early! To reserve, call Downstage at 403.294.7459.
Spark a Revolution
Saturday, March 28 @ 7:00 pm
Westbury Theatre, TransAlta Arts Barn
10330 84 Avenue
Edmonton, Alberta
$100
Fringe Theatre Adventures, the fine folks behind the Edmonton Fringe Festival, have put together a high-energy performance party/fundraising event, celebrating revolutionary creativity! There will be raffle prizes, live auctions and a wide diversity of theatre, music, dance and film performances.
Swallow-a-Bicycle has been invited to create an original performance for the event - our Edmonton debut! If you're going to be up in E-Town, this promises to be an utterly rockin' party. And hey, you can get a tax receipt for part of the ticket price. Bonus!
You can get tickets here or by calling 780-409-1910
- - -
Even aside from all the stuff I'm personally involved in, March is simply crammed with awesomeness. There's Factory Party 5, Blitz Weekend at the playRites Festival, the premiere of Watchmen, Ayla Stephen's one-woman show Tree Hugger, the $100 Film Fest, the Improv Brier, a Francophone Poetry SLAM, Burlesque Fest, and the Curvilicious fundraiser, just to name a few. There's certainly no excuse for boredom!
Then, coming up in April, I've got Honesty with the Motel Series and Shhhh! with Swallow-a-Bicycle... ah, but those are topics for another newsletter.
Have a great March!
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Silver
Wow. I am really bad at daily blogging.
I will soon write a post about last week's crazy-ass dinner, and a follow-up to my burlesque rant. In the meantime, I found out today that an article I published in a recent issue of U Magazine won a silver award from the Council for Advancement and Support of Education. I don't exactly know what that means, but it made me re-read the article. I'm kind of proud of how it came out.
If you have a moment, take a peek. Here it is.
I will soon write a post about last week's crazy-ass dinner, and a follow-up to my burlesque rant. In the meantime, I found out today that an article I published in a recent issue of U Magazine won a silver award from the Council for Advancement and Support of Education. I don't exactly know what that means, but it made me re-read the article. I'm kind of proud of how it came out.
If you have a moment, take a peek. Here it is.
Sunday, January 18, 2009
Thinning the Competition
In writing the previous blog post, I discovered that the illustrious Dr. Mark Hopkins has moved to Nova Scotia.
Calgary is mine!
Calgary is mine!
The Globe and Mark
I was at work this week, busy doing something, when I got a call on my cell from an unknown number. I ignored it, probably a credit card company or a stalker.
That afternoon, I checked my voicemail.
"Mark, it's Corinne calling from Harvey Weingarten's office at the University of Calgary, and I'm calling with a very late invitation. My fault, I've been away on the Christmas break, and I returned just this week.
"The editor-in-chief of the Globe & Mail, Ed Greenspon, is going to be here in Calgary on January 19, next Monday, and Harvey is taking him out for dinner. We were wondering if you would like to join them.
"There are a few other people attending as well. If you're available, can you let me know? I can also let you know who the other attendees are. Thanks Mark! Bye."
Guh?
It was almost 5:00 on Wednesday. I called back immediately, and caught Corinne before she left the office. I thanked her for the invitation and accepted. She was delighted.
After I hung up, I took a moment. Why the hell was I being invited to dine with Harvey Weingarten and Ed Greenspon?
I called my mom. She thought it was pretty cool. "What if they've got the wrong Mark Hopkins?" I asked. "So what?" she replied.
See, Mark Hopkins is a pretty common name. There's a hotel in San Francisco, a sculptor in Colorado, an American railroad magnate... and Dr. Mark Hopkins, a conductor and music instructor at the University of Calgary.
The next morning, I got an e-mail from Corinne that invited me to a seminar, featuring Ed Greenspon, for the "senior leaders and emerging leaders here on campus". It also listed the dinner attendees: a couple Associate Vice-Presidents, a Provost (?), the Dean of the Haskayne School of Businesss... and no mention whatsoever of Mark Hopkins. Further convinced that they had the wrong guy, I shot an e-mail back:
"I have to admit, not being an Associate Vice-President of anything, that I feel somewhat out of my depth in that list of names. I guess I fit into the "emerging leaders" category!"
I thought this was my out. If they had the wrong guy, this would definitely clue them off. Then I got an e-mail back from Corinne, two minutes later:
"That's great news. I will be at the seminar, so don't hesitate to come and introduce yourself to me."
Guh?
Finally, on Friday, I received the full, final list of highly Google-able attendees. We've got:
Mr. Greenspon's Wikipedia entry reveals a long history of investigative journalism (starting with unveiled corruption in the residence student government at Carleton University!). He's the co-author of Double Vision, a book about the Liberal government of Jean Chretien and Paul Martin. He's been EiC of The Globe and Mail since 2002.
Dr. Harvey P. Weingarten is the U of C's seventh President and Vice-Chancellor, a position he's held since 2001. He is a doctor of psychology, with a PhD from Yale.
Ms. Bagnell Styles worked in marketing with Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts, Canadian Airlines and Wardair before landing the External Relations gig at U of C. She's the current President of Decidedly Jazz Danceworks.
Ms. Turner is the editor over at U Magazine, which kind of makes her my boss.
Dr. Waverman holds a PhD from M.I.T., was awarded the medal of Chevalier dans les Ordres de Palme Académique by the Government of France, and came to the U of C from the London School of Business. He is apparently a "world-renowned expert in international telecommunications and resources management". Neat.
Provost! What a great, and slightly ambiguous, title. It refers to a "senior academic administrator" at an institution of higher education. Dr. Harrison (PhD in economics from the University of Essex) is a Provost twice over, first at Carleton and now at U of C. He has two kids and enjoys jazz music.
Dr. Reid is the U of C's first Tamaratt Teaching Professor in Geoscience, and is the star of an "Innovators" video produced by U of C External Relations. (Catherine Bagnell Styles, was this your doing?) She knows the difference between "using" and "utilizing", which has always mystified me.
Dr. Flanagan is senior fellow in the Fraser Institute, a "free-market think-tank", and a member of the Calgary School, which Dr. Radha Jhappan has referred to as the "department of redneckology". He's been called "The Prince of Darkness" by CBC's Ira Basen for the views expressed in his book First Nations? Second Thoughts, and "The Man Behind Stephen Harper" by The Walrus for his role as Harper's national campaign director.
Mr. Love was the Executive Assistant to Mayor Ralph Klein, and remained hitched to that wagon until he became Chief of Staff to Premier Ralph Klein. He ran unsuccessfully in a Calgary-Buffalo provincial by-election in 1992 and created Rod Love Consulting Inc. in 1998. He's a recipient of the Governor General's Medal for Outstanding Community Service, and sits on the board of governors of the University of Calgary and the Canada West Foundation.
... and ...
I've heard of this guy... doesn't he have a pompous t-shirt with his name on it?
So. Should be an interesting meal.
I still have no idea why I was invited to this event, though I suspect I'm meant to represent Calgary's "leaders of tomorrow" or something. Regardless, I'm going to print me some business cards and try not to spill any wine!
That afternoon, I checked my voicemail.
"Mark, it's Corinne calling from Harvey Weingarten's office at the University of Calgary, and I'm calling with a very late invitation. My fault, I've been away on the Christmas break, and I returned just this week.
"The editor-in-chief of the Globe & Mail, Ed Greenspon, is going to be here in Calgary on January 19, next Monday, and Harvey is taking him out for dinner. We were wondering if you would like to join them.
"There are a few other people attending as well. If you're available, can you let me know? I can also let you know who the other attendees are. Thanks Mark! Bye."
Guh?
It was almost 5:00 on Wednesday. I called back immediately, and caught Corinne before she left the office. I thanked her for the invitation and accepted. She was delighted.
After I hung up, I took a moment. Why the hell was I being invited to dine with Harvey Weingarten and Ed Greenspon?
I called my mom. She thought it was pretty cool. "What if they've got the wrong Mark Hopkins?" I asked. "So what?" she replied.
See, Mark Hopkins is a pretty common name. There's a hotel in San Francisco, a sculptor in Colorado, an American railroad magnate... and Dr. Mark Hopkins, a conductor and music instructor at the University of Calgary.
The next morning, I got an e-mail from Corinne that invited me to a seminar, featuring Ed Greenspon, for the "senior leaders and emerging leaders here on campus". It also listed the dinner attendees: a couple Associate Vice-Presidents, a Provost (?), the Dean of the Haskayne School of Businesss... and no mention whatsoever of Mark Hopkins. Further convinced that they had the wrong guy, I shot an e-mail back:
"I have to admit, not being an Associate Vice-President of anything, that I feel somewhat out of my depth in that list of names. I guess I fit into the "emerging leaders" category!"
I thought this was my out. If they had the wrong guy, this would definitely clue them off. Then I got an e-mail back from Corinne, two minutes later:
"That's great news. I will be at the seminar, so don't hesitate to come and introduce yourself to me."
Guh?
Finally, on Friday, I received the full, final list of highly Google-able attendees. We've got:
Ed Greenspon (Editor-in-Chief, The Globe and Mail)
Mr. Greenspon's Wikipedia entry reveals a long history of investigative journalism (starting with unveiled corruption in the residence student government at Carleton University!). He's the co-author of Double Vision, a book about the Liberal government of Jean Chretien and Paul Martin. He's been EiC of The Globe and Mail since 2002.
Harvey Weingarten (President and Vice-Chancellor, University of Calgary)
Dr. Harvey P. Weingarten is the U of C's seventh President and Vice-Chancellor, a position he's held since 2001. He is a doctor of psychology, with a PhD from Yale.
Catherine Bagnell Styles (Associate Vice-President, External Relations, University of Calgary)
Ms. Bagnell Styles worked in marketing with Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts, Canadian Airlines and Wardair before landing the External Relations gig at U of C. She's the current President of Decidedly Jazz Danceworks.
Colleen Turner (Associate Vice-President, Communications, University of Calgary)
Ms. Turner is the editor over at U Magazine, which kind of makes her my boss.
Len Waverman (Dean, Haskayne School of Business, University of Calgary)
Dr. Waverman holds a PhD from M.I.T., was awarded the medal of Chevalier dans les Ordres de Palme Académique by the Government of France, and came to the U of C from the London School of Business. He is apparently a "world-renowned expert in international telecommunications and resources management". Neat.
Alan Harrison (Provost and Vice-President Academic)
Provost! What a great, and slightly ambiguous, title. It refers to a "senior academic administrator" at an institution of higher education. Dr. Harrison (PhD in economics from the University of Essex) is a Provost twice over, first at Carleton and now at U of C. He has two kids and enjoys jazz music.
Leslie Reid (Faculty of Science)
Dr. Reid is the U of C's first Tamaratt Teaching Professor in Geoscience, and is the star of an "Innovators" video produced by U of C External Relations. (Catherine Bagnell Styles, was this your doing?) She knows the difference between "using" and "utilizing", which has always mystified me.
Tom Flanagan (Department of Political Science)
Dr. Flanagan is senior fellow in the Fraser Institute, a "free-market think-tank", and a member of the Calgary School, which Dr. Radha Jhappan has referred to as the "department of redneckology". He's been called "The Prince of Darkness" by CBC's Ira Basen for the views expressed in his book First Nations? Second Thoughts, and "The Man Behind Stephen Harper" by The Walrus for his role as Harper's national campaign director.
Rod Love (consultant)
Mr. Love was the Executive Assistant to Mayor Ralph Klein, and remained hitched to that wagon until he became Chief of Staff to Premier Ralph Klein. He ran unsuccessfully in a Calgary-Buffalo provincial by-election in 1992 and created Rod Love Consulting Inc. in 1998. He's a recipient of the Governor General's Medal for Outstanding Community Service, and sits on the board of governors of the University of Calgary and the Canada West Foundation.
... and ...
Mark Hopkins (local arts enthusiast, columnist for several Calgary publications, and U of C young alumni)
I've heard of this guy... doesn't he have a pompous t-shirt with his name on it?
So. Should be an interesting meal.
I still have no idea why I was invited to this event, though I suspect I'm meant to represent Calgary's "leaders of tomorrow" or something. Regardless, I'm going to print me some business cards and try not to spill any wine!
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