DONKEYS

Anyone who knows me knows I love donkeys. In fact, I’m pretty
much obsessed with them.

Imagine my glee when I received a package the other day with
this calendar in it…..

Donkey calendar copyright Avonside Publishing Ltd.

Thank you Cory (from McMillan).

MONEY SHOTS

David Wilkins, U.S. Ambassador to Canada

We were originally going to photograph the ambassador at the
U.S. embassy. Have you ever tried to take a bunch of big bags
into that place? Believe me when I tell you…..it’s no fun. The
security is nuts, makes getting on an airplane seem like child’s
play.

So, after a bunch of e-mails and phone calls back and forth
between England (this was shot for an English client) and me
and the ambassador’s people, the shoot got switched to his
residence. High on a hill in Rockliffe, overlooking the Ottawa
River. Less hassles getting in. Whew.

The day of the shoot we pulled up to the gate there and, after
a cursory once-over from the dude there, we found ourselves
driving up the winding lane that leads to his “house”.

While we’re waiting for the shoot to begin I ask the ambassador’s
butler, Gianni, what I’m supposed to call the dude. He smiles
a knowing smile, looks down at me and says: “Why, ‘Mister
Ambassador’, of course”. I already knew that and had been
practising all weekend, saying “Mister Ambassador” right out
loud so it wouldn’t feel too weird.

The ambassador finally comes out and is, of course, a great guy.
Unassuming and gracious, as you would expect. I started off calling
him “Sir”, slipped in a few “Mister Ambassadors” but, before long, like
always, ended up calling him “Baby”.

THE FUTURE

In the movies you can always tell when the action is taking place
in the future…..the President is black, the climate is bad and the
economy is fucked.

It would seem that the future has arrived.

Whenever I think about politicians I always recall the lines from
that great song by THE WHO: “Won’t get fooled again”. Goes a
little something like this:

I’ll tip my hat to the new constitution
Take a bow for the new revolution
Smile and grin at the change all around me
Pick up my guitar and play
Just like yesterday
Then I’ll get on my knees and pray
We don’t get fooled again.

Meet the new boss
Same as the old boss.

As much as I dislike Hollywood movies (with their plot-driven
scripts and happy endings).

As much as I can relate to rock and roll cynicism (all you need
is 3 chords and the truth).

As much as I believe that humans are poorly evolved mammals
(we’re seeing our destiny unroll before our eyes).

Still, I can’t help but hope for a Hollywood ending here in real life.

Look out for hope.

LOOK OUT FOR HOPE, Robert Frank