Hotel Indigo Haiku

After the wonderful experience flying Porter Air to Ottawa, our stay at Hotel Indigo on Metcalfe just south of the Parliament Buildings was equally blissful. The hotel has haiku posted everywhere... in English and French... how welcoming and convenient for haikugirl!! A perfect way to combine my passions of travel, blogging (using their free wireless internet) using my French and writing haiku! Here are a couple of mine followed by a collection of theirs:

Hotel Indigo
calm oasis with haiku
not just Ottawa

[A HAIKU FOR YOU]
signs were posted everywhere
enjoy these samples

[on the Room key card]
Your journey begins
First stop is relaxation
then inspiration

[on the Room key cardholder]
A landscape reborn
Flowers delight the senses
Now, enjoy the view

[on the drink coaster]
Beautiful Spring day
Take time to smell the flowers
Your drink can wait here

All of the hotel's haiku followed the 3-line, 17 syllable (5, 7, 5) structure except some of the French haiku were questionable for me. Like the first line of this one on the coaster which seemed to be one syllable short, unless you pronounce belle with two syllables like bell-uh, which you would do when reading a song lyric or poem. (Well, haikugirl, isn't a haiku a poem?)

Si belle journee
Pour sentir un jolie fleur
Le verre attendra

Haikugirl admits
Writing French haiku is tough
Comme c'est difficile!

Porter Air

What a treat to fly Porter Air to Ottawa (YOW). Everything is so simple and smooth - free shuttle bus from the Royal York, ferry to the Island Airport and a relaxing lounge with leather club chairs, free cookies and cappuccino and free wireless Internet access - whoohoo! Brought my laptop and was even able to draft this blog post before boarding.

Porter Air sublime
redefining civilized
Let's book our next flight!

HBO's Recount

Recount tells the story of an unbelievable time in U.S. history: the Florida recount following the 2000 presidential election. Chock full of A-List actors (Kevin Spacey, Tom Wilkinson, Dennis Leary, and Laura Dern playing crazymaking Katherine Harris among others) these performances are sure to be honoured at next year's Golden Globes. This film is gripping, shocking, and a sad reminder that sometimes, even when you win, you can't win.

Check out the Recount trailer and comments online and see this if you get a chance. Even though we know how it ends, it's stunning to relive the dramatic twists and turns. And despite the obvious point of view of Writer Danny Strong, you still learn more than you thought you knew, or at least get most of the facts with better packaging. Triumph of the rule of law my A**!

HBO's Recount
sure to be rewarded at
next year's Golden Globes

Drop Your Shorts 3

On Mother's Day I made the trek out to the west end to DROP MY SHORT at the Revue Cinema. I was there before 12 noon on May 11 because the first people in line could submit their short film to be screened as part of the 90-minute lineup at 7:00pm on Thursday, May 22 at the Revue Cinema, 400 Roncesvalles for the third instalment of Drop Your Shorts.

In 90 minutes we saw an interesting array of 12 films, all 15 minutes or less. I enjoyed seeing The Last Minutes of Alan Winters by my filmmaker friends from Ireland. It was great to meet the team from Scarlett Pictures - congratulations guys!

SANTE Winemakers' Dinner @ Reds Bistro

Saturday night we were at Reds Bistro as part of the 10th Annual Sante Wine Festival (which we have been attending for the past 6 years). Hosted by our friends Bernard & Sylvie at Le Sommelier (sadly we missed them that night) winemakers Fred Howard of Australia's Dog Ridge Vineyards and Keith Nichols of California were on hand to talk about their wines as we worked through a delicious 5-course dinner. I was the proud winner of a bottle of Dog Ridge The Pup Chardonnay (yummy). Then R, S, C & I broke the bank and bought 3 cases of wine together. Carmen - let us know when it arrives! This will be my excuse to buy that wine fridge I have been craving...

Ironman ROCKS

Last Friday May 9, Sam stopped in TO and we went to see Ironman at the Beach Cinemas. Robert Downey Jr found the perfect comeback vehicle as billionaire scientist and arms maker Tony Stark who has an epiphany after being held captive in the desert. Director Jon Favreau even appeared in his own film as Stark's driver and Gwyneth was "Pepper Potts", Stark's trusty assistant. Jeff Bridges was almost unrecognizable as Stark's business partner (don't worry - I won't spoil it). Ironman rocked from beginning to end, the effects were FAB and the writing was note-perfect. Definitely 4Ms from haikugirl MMMM. Robert Downey Jr was TOTALLY HOT and there was no shortage of his trademark glib humour laced with sexy innuendo. I think that should be my new mantra for future communications ... (?)javascript:void(0)

Tony's Reflections on Hot Docs

My friend Tony just posted some photos and videos from last weekend's Doc Challenge Awards night at Hot Docs in Toronto.

Or just check out Tony's blog in general. I need to post my final hot docs reviews and pics. Probably my best fest yet!