We spent the weekend in trendy Roncesvalles, Toronto. We were visiting old friends in their brand new home. While the boys were busy with renos, T & I hit the parks, boutiques and coffee shops with the babes. It is such a sweet little neighborhood. All weekend, I felt inspired and energized by the excitement of the big city.
As Jamie and I drove away from Toronto's bright lights and shiny buildings on Sunday, we couldn't help but feel a bit deflated. Good-bye restaurants and vintage clothing shops...back to little ol' Kingston!!!
It wasn't until later that evening, as we rushed around the house trying to get out the door 45 minutes after getting home, that I realized we have quite a bit going on in this one-horse town!
So, I've decided that this week, in addition to some seasonal body support, I'll be featuring the events of the week. The happenings in downtown Kingston.
I'm calling this mini-series: Out & About (pronounced Oot an' Aboot, of course!) and today I'm starting with a very special art show/book launch.
Sunday night, Jamie, Winnie and I attended the Book Launch of our friend, neighbour and my blog designer: Darryl Joel Berger. DJ Berger's new book, Punishing Ugly Children, is officially out and I have my very own signed, stolen copy! {I will pay for it Darryl, I promise!}
I can't review the book yet as I have just started to delve into DJ's compilation of short stories but The Globe and Mail has some lovely things to say: Click Here for the Review!
The launch was lots of fun. In true Berger style, the book launch was an unpretentious affair, featuring his book, artwork, beer and bucket of chips (that Winnie was glued to). I love Darryl's art. Somewhere between childish and nightmarish it evokes feelings of Alice and Wonderland or The Brothers Grimm. Winnie loved pointing out the prints of paintings that are on her wall, and I just loved it all.
There were plenty of pleasant surprises as well! I met a blog reader (there IS more than just my mother out there!! Thank you!). Jamie and I were also introduced to the man who has been caring for our NEW house for the past few years. We got the inside scoop on the house and the garden and the new 'hood. Small World?? Not really. Just small Kingston....and I have to say, I think I like it that way:)
"In his first short story collection Berger channels the whimsical imagination of a precocious child. Sentences are punchy and trip over each other in their pace, something he maybe learned growing up with six siblings in rural Saskatchewan. But the David Adams Richards Prize winner isn't just cute, his magic realism and unique narratives warrant study, many reads and a want for more".
- Telegraph-Journal
To see more of Darryl's work go to www.red-handed.blogspot.com
Happy Tuesday!
It was *great* that you guys came, Jill. Thanks.
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