W.H.O. Interim Statement on Booster Doses for Covid19
(In summary: bringing an end to the Pandemic in 2022 through world-wide vaccine equity is being challenged by the hoarding of doses for boosters by rich nations.)
The links below will take you to various posts marked with that particular "label" (usually with pictures or videos) in my blog. They will appear in reverse chronological order.
This will mean that, as I continue to post in 2022 and beyond, you will have to scroll down to find 2021, or use the year/month navigation at the left.
Below is a description of my life much as it had been in 2021:
My paid work this year included Crossing Guard, Standardized Patient at the Northern Ontario Medical School (c. once a month Sept. - May), Sexton (caretaker) for Gathering Table Anglican Church. Eventually, Music Care at Pioneer Ridge Home resumed with my visiting a different floor each Friday morning. As well, I played guitar for recordings the Pope John Paul II School Choir did for an Advent video.
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I continue to sing as a volunteer at Pinewood Court and Pioneer Ridge.
I am now the Past President and a Life Member of Cambrian Players, and my theatre involvement is described below. I was able to participate in our return to Treasure Island as Blind Pew, and Sound Designer. Our improv group met outside on Sunday evenings, throughout the summer, and then the studio eventually as required by the weather. Whether we will ever perform publicly again remains to be seen.
I also participated in the return of the 10x10 event, held outside this year, in the play "Dragon's Breath" by Amanda Doig. My director was Dr. Bryan MacLeod, and my fellow actor was Keri P-W, both from the improv group. It was a challenge to perform in the wind (and a bit of rain), but the wind actually gusted at a particularly appropriate point, which I milked with my reaction. Bryan received kudos for arranging such great SFX.
This year I had no volunteer camp work due to the Pandemic, except for a couple of work weekends at Camp Gitchigomee.
I also belong to the Square Book Club, which meets monthly (approximately), which includes Keri, Tamara, Anne, Natalie, Katrina, and Bryan. (Sometimes we call it "Food Club".) However, we didn't meet much in 2021.
I am employed there part-time as Sexton (i.e. caretaker), and we did meet with limited numbers, masks etc. this year. I also gave the sermon three times.
The "Music" link above will take you to various musical events. For my own gigs, click here.
Until my singing in senior homes resumed, most of my musical endeavours were with the Cheer's Open Mic Gang, usually outside around a campfire. Most weeks I would include a "Lesser Known Bob (Dylan) Song" in my contributions.
I attended a couple of small work weekends out at camp this year. At the one in July we recorded this version of the song Intermediate Directors, Mel and Tanelle, usually lead with me at campfire. It was nice to be back.
Again I did not go to MPC (or PCM) this year, though they did have a bit of programming on the Island this year. I did participate in an on-line coffee house.
Here is a video shared that evening about the camp's biggest boat, The Pioneer III:
Cambrian Players was able to stage only one play this year in person*: Treasure Island, in which I played Blind Pew, and was the Sound Designer.
We also presented an on-line version of Love/Sick by John Cariani in April, though I wasn't involved in cast or crew. It was supposed to be streamed live, but that day new restrictions came in. Fortunately, dress rehearsal had been recorded, and we were able to air that.
Cambrian's President, Eva Burkowski, also ran a Facebook series re. various long-time members of Cambrian, including me.
Here is a link to a post with the texts and pictures which you can read without visiting Facebook, if you wish.
Our improv group met outside on Sunday evenings, throughout the summer, and then the studio eventually as required by the weather. Whether we will ever perform publicly again remains to be seen.
I also participated in the return of the 10x10 event, held outside this year, in the play "Dragon's Breath" by Amanda Doig. My director was Dr. Bryan MacLeod, and my fellow actor was Keri P-W, both from the improv group. It was a challenge to perform in the wind (and a bit of rain), but the wind actually gusted at a particularly appropriate point, which I milked with my reaction. Bryan received kudos for arranging such great SFX.
In the Spring I resumed riding my bike almost every day. My goal this year was to ride all the streets in Thunder Bay I had missed last year. Except for one small neighbourhood, I did manage to get all the streets between the Expressway & the Lake, and the Kam River (south) and Hodder (north).
If you follow the link above, you will find a map showing a combination of 2020 (red) and 2021 (blue) (with purple for streets ridden in both years). I did drive sometimes drive to Gathering Table, my Mum's, or a friend's on Shuniah St. with my bike in my car, and start from there.
I did not manage to ride out to Stanley.
I spent three(?) sessions at Community Spokes where Ian taught me how to fix my bike (notably the chain, the front gears, and the front brakes). He also stressed the importance of keeping my tires fully inflated. Without this, my bike riding wouldn't have continued this year.
I attended 75th anniversary events in the summer and December.
NOTE: This year I continued to digitize and upload many of the old Dorion slides (2002 and before). Click
here and scroll down for the appropriate year (and other souvenirs and related items).
And I continued to add to this playlist of old timey Dorion songs:
I don't usually do much swimming, but especially during the hot stretch in the summer, I enjoyed swimming with the P-W family at Boulevard Lake and Centennial Park.
