Who Started The Damned Love Lock Trend Anyway?

I added in a link in yesterday's post- there are a number of places in Canada that have Beavertail outlets at least at some point during the year, so have a look if you missed it; perhaps there's a spot within a reasonable distance to you.

At her blog Paris Through My Lens this week, Virginia has been posting on the problem of these locks placed on the bridges of Paris since Wednesday. It's been awhile since I've shown this pic- the same thing is taking place here on the Corktown Bridge, a pedestrian bridge linking Centretown with the University of Ottawa. 

As time goes on, I'm finding this habit to be more and more of a problem. People seem to have no regard for the eyesore that these are becoming, the possible damage the collective weight these things can inflict on a structure, or the fact that these bridges are not their private property that they're free to do with as they like.

One Does Not Simply Have Only One Beavertail

Questions were asked the other day about what Beavertails are. I thought I'd repost two shots in explanation. Beavertails are an Ottawa based institution that's been around for years; it has a permanent place in the Byward Market and puts special huts in locations for various festivals and special days through the year. This one is on the Canal, with the Ottawa Convention Centre in the background.

They're pastry treats, fried dough in the shape of a beaver tail, with an assortment of toppings. This one is cinnamon and sugar. And yes, they are delicious.

During the last two presidential inaugurations, the company owners have gone down to DC and had these on hand at the Canadian embassy during the parade. That's something for readers in the vicinity to keep in mind the next time out. And for those of you across the country, check this link for other locations where Beavertails turn up from time to time.

Orthodoxy Inside The Museum

This  unpublished shot from my archives is also from the Museum of History. The Orthodox sanctuary that resides in Canada Hall can also be glimpsed from the side windows. For the original post, click here. Canada Hall is presently closed up (there are other exhibits available inside the place, while the Museum is reorganizing and reconfiguring, all thanks to a government mandated decree- from a government that swore it would be hands off with museums- that the museum follow its orders). The Hall will be reopened in 2017, it seems, but the sanctuary, one assumes, will continue to be part of the Hall. Whether or not the reconfiguration of Canada Hall adheres to the narrow minded view of the Prime Minister, well, that depends on the results of a federal election this year (want to guess what party I'm not voting for?).

This view of the front of the sanctuary is as close as you can get to it; from the entrance, the sanctuary is roped off.

This reminder for City Daily Photo Bloggers on the theme day for February. You must answer this question: If you had to leave forever the city from which you usually post, what would you miss most?

Five Hundred Posts Later

Today happens to be my five hundredth post. I thought I'd mark the occasion with this detail shot of Alex Janvier's mural Morning Star at the Museum of History. For those of you dealing with that winter storm, you could use some colour.

And the number five hundred brings to mind this song.

That'll stay in your head all day. 

You're welcome.

Horizontal Or Vertical

I tend to prefer taking pictures of the Canal downtown in the vertical as opposed to the horizontal. It parallels the lines of the Canal, and tends to cut down on the presence of that monstrosity to the left. That particular hideousness is the headquarters for National Defence, in other words, our Pentagon. Let's just say when they were building it, the architect must have been thinking, "just how ugly a building can I get away with designing?" The place always seems like it was hit by an ugly stick. Anyway, National Defence is in the process of pulling up stakes to new quarters out in the west end somewhere. Ideally they can demolish this eye sore and build something of significance, like a national portrait gallery (which we would have right now, if not for it being cancelled as one of the very first acts of government by the hyper-partisan lunatic in the Prime Minister's Office) or a new science and technology museum (things strictly frowned upon by the Dark Lord). Honestly, the man's hatred for the National Capital has been glaringly obvious for years. Americans might gripe about their government, but they get the idea that a national capital's institutions deserve full support. Why is that so hard for our Prime Minister to grasp?

Anyway, rant over. Before I get hauled off for speaking ill of the Not So Glorious As He Thinks Leader, Janis from Greensboro Daily Photo asked yesterday if there were any organized races on the Canal. Yes, there are, and they're both tied into Winterlude. One is a winter triathlon, so the skating portion of that is done on the ice here. The other is what's called a bed race, namely four people skating with a bed frame along a race-course with a person on top of the frame, trying to get the best time over other competitors. 

Yes. It's strange. It's something we do to get ourselves through winter.

The Evening Skate

This is taken downtown from the Mackenzie King Bridge looking over the Rideau Canal filled with skaters.

This reminder for City Daily Photo Bloggers on the theme day for February. You must answer this question: If you had to leave forever the city from which you usually post, what would you miss most?

Pass The Haggis

"There were places today that looked very like Scotland, remind me of Scotland. And I've been struck by how much the world looks like Scotland, and it just adds to my theory, you know, that we, we made the rest of the world in Scotland. We made it all, you know, we made it all in the image of our homeland." ~ Ewan McGregor, Long Way Round

"The birthplace of valour, the country of Worth; wherever I wander, wherever I rove, the hills of the Highlands for ever I love." ~ Robert Burns

"Wherever a Scotsman goes, here goes Burns. His grand whole catholic soul squares with the good of all; therefore we find him in everything, everywhere." ~ John Muir

"God help England if she had no Scots to think for her." ~ George Bernard Shaw

I thought of an appropriate photo for Robert Burns Day, and remembered this photograph of a kilt wearing piper from last summer downtown.

As for the traditional Robert Burns Day meal, well, I'm rather full, so you can have my plate of haggis. No, really, I insist, I couldn't eat another bite of anything after all that chocolate. And if I'm lying, may lightning strike...

Um, we'd better not start going off with making dares about lightning and things like that. Let's just say you have the haggis and I'll enjoy watching your grimace when you realize what it actually is. Wait, ignore that last part. 

Of Tomfoolery

I'm running low on pics (I really have to take some photographs over the weekend), and haven't been feeling well the last couple of days (I ended up with a cold), so I thought I'd add a meme to my bagpipes shot from a couple of days ago. I'll have something appropriate for Robbie Burns Day tomorrow. 

You just know that somewhere, someone has played that song on the pipes. Freddie Mercury would be spinning over in his grave.

No Trousers

I must say that it is, on such occasions, a very bad idea to ask a Scotsman three questions.

"What's with the skirt?"

"Are you wearing underwear or not?"

"Hamish, where are your trousers?"

Though if I wish to amuse myself, I could suggest my idiot ex-brother-in-law go and ask Hamish those three questions.

Hogamanay

On New Year's Eve, when I was still under the effects of painkillers and dealing with a sore leg, I went with friends to the Aberdeen Pavilion at Lansdowne Park, where a traditional Scottish New Year's Eve was taking place. Hogamanay is the Scottish word for the last day of the year, and the evening was filled with music, drink, and Scottish cooking. In a bit of a rush (and a bit of a daze), I photographed a highland bagpipe and drum band in mid-march through the pavilion.

Another take on this event tomorrow. I might need witness protection after it gets posted.