Thematman put together this promo for the She Has A Name tour.  Looking forward to uploading more interviews with the creative team and some actors in the upcoming weeks.

We’re looking for different ways to make the tour a reality.  If you have ideas, connections, or resources that would help, please drop me a line!

You can learn all about the tour here.

A few years ago I saw a poster in a hallway filled with posters at the Red Deer College.  It had a simple question: Have you ever thought of writing a play?  It was a serendipitous moment in my life, to say the least.  The question landed in me with much force.  I had an impression for a story at the time – just a seed – and I didn’t know how to write it.  It wasn’t a novel, it wasn’t even a short story.  It was centred in dialogue.  The question posed on the small 11×14 inch piece of paper helped open the door to solve the riddle that what I needed to write was a play, and it began a whole new chapter in my writing life.

Tanya Ryga is partly to blame!  As co-founder of Scripts at Work in Red Deer and an instructor for 20 years, Tanya has helped to open many such doors for people across Canada.  For me it was by being part of an incredible playwright series in central Alberta that offers opportunity to new and emerging playwrights through workshops and an annual Playwright Competition that for eight years has given writers the privilege to learn from leading Canadian theatre professionals.

If you’ve stopped by my site before, you know I like to ask questions of artists, activists, and bold thinkers.  And so I wanted to pick Tanya’s brain about theatre in central Alberta, the creative process and why she has given much of her career to championing and developing the talent in others.

I connected with her through email in Red Deer, in the lead up to the Scripts at Work annual playwright competition in the 2011/12 Series.

 Andrew Kooman: Who are some of the artists that have most inspired you in your career?

Tanya Ryga: The ‘big picture’ inspirations for me came from those out of reach: Leonard Cohen, Joni Mitchell, William Shakespeare, Tom Waits. But closer to home I’ve been fortunate to know and/ or work with artists who give me day-to-day moments of ‘gasp’ as well. Artists you might know? David More , Glynis Boultbee, Lynda Adams, definitely Larry Reese.

AK:. What do you love about theatre?

TR: Everything. Doing it, reading it, seeing it.

AK: What should people know about theatre in central Alberta that they don’t?

TR: Theatrical activity is thriving. We have more companies doing theatre than ever before – there is always something on. There are setbacks, sure, but theatre companies are very resourceful, exceedingly supportive of each other and the audiences are enthusiastic. The type of theatre available to see is broadening all the time – and that means audiences are wanting choices. In the midst of all the creativity Scripts at Work has emerged to flush out and support the growing number of playwrights in the area.

AK: What first drew you into acting? What drew you into instructing theatre artists?

TR: My father was one of Canada’s foremost playwrights but that wasn’t what did it for me. No, I thought he typed for a living. What hooked me was when Holiday Playhouse (the touring arm of the Vancouver Playhouse) brought a production of Romeo and Juliet to my school. It’s the first time I remember ever seeing a play. At twelve I signed up for summer school with that company and have never stopped doing and learning about theatre. One who loves to learn is eventually lured back to school. I’ve been an instructor at RDC for 20 years.

AK: Tell me about the beginnings of Scripts at Work: why did you start it and with who?

TR: There have always been Acting students who are also writing plays or wanting to write for theatre. During the winter of 2004 with the help of theatre faculty, current students and alumni an evening of brand new short plays was presented on campus to a surprisingly enthusiastic audience. Who knew? The idea for an annual play competition grew from there. Lynda Adams was the founding faculty member and has kept SAW going and growing since then. It has a talented Advisory Board and brings professional dramaturgs and directors to Central Alberta annually to work with our emerging playwrights and local actors. SAW playwrights have had successful productions of their works here and elsewhere plus continue to write for theatre and film.

AK: When I’ve connect with people who’ve had the fortune to work with you or learn from you, they always comment on your generosity and say you’re their biggest encouragement. What motivates you to foster and develop talent?

TR: Gosh. I could be flippant and say ‘compliments like that!’ Teachers are always in a privileged position to encourage and develop others. In the arts, working with others is always about process and creation. Something is being created and there is often no template. It’s so important to thrive in the not knowing and just trust in the talent all around. As for developing that talent, if you can see it in them so will they.

AK: Dramaturgy is a term many people aren’t familiar with. How do you define it and why is it important in the theatre world?

TR: Every province has organizations that provide supports to writers and new plays. In Alberta we have many: Alberta Playwrights Network, Scripts at Work , the Citadel and Banff Playwrights Colony to name a few. Rarely do plays go from creator to production without a dramaturgical process. Mentorship can come from any of these organizations or a dramaturg may be provided by the theatre company who is producing the new play. Together the writer and dramaturg look at every aspect of the play from theme to structure to character arc.

Scripts at Work -- Promotional Photo

A lot of questions are asked to ensure that what the writer is thinking is actually on the page. With an existing play that we are preparing to direct or rehearse we will mine the world of the play and the world of the characters to get a deeper understanding of the work. That process can also be referred to as dramaturgy.

AK: Why is Scripts at Work important for the arts in Red Deer and central Alberta?

TR: SAW has provided opportunities for over 70 playwrights and 150 actors since it began eight years ago. There are workshops such as ‘How to Write a Play’ and ‘Stand And Deliver-for actors. Two playwright Circles are offered where new plays are written, developed or adapted for film under the guidance of a professional dramaturg. SAW is most known for its development of winning plays from the annual playwright competition culminating in staged readings at the Festival of New Plays in Red Deer.

AK: What has surprised you about Scripts at Work over the last 8 years, and where do you see it going in the future?

TR: I’m surprised at the number of people wishing to write for theatre but I’m not surprised at how good the writing is. SAW has thrived due to thousands of volunteer hours and the dedication of those involved humbles and cheers me. Artists from the professional theatre community are happy to come to work with our writers and actors, or serve as jurors reading all the plays submitted to the competition and I’m always surprised and thrilled with this generosity. We get financial support annually from the Alberta Foundation of The Arts and the City of Red Deer, which helps us bring in the professional artists but everything else is done by volunteers and organizers – people who love the theatre.

I see the programs growing. We’ve very occasionally had longer intensives for the full length plays and we’d like to be able to offer more of that.

Something new for us recently is partnering with Central Alberta Theatre to showcase the plays once the SAW phase of development is complete. We dream about having the capacity to fully mount one of the SAW plays one day, but our biggest contribution continues to be encouraging writing.

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About Tanya Ryga: As a long-time instructor in the theatre program at Red Deer College, Tanya Ryga has taught many of the artists who are writing, directing and acting in theatre productions all over Canada and beyond. She received a Women of Excellence Awards for Community Building (2010) from the Red Deer & District Community Foundation for her work with Scripts at Work and two theatre companies: Butt Ugly and BITE: Body Image Theatre Education for which she is the Artistic Director.

To learn more about Scripts at work visit www.scriptsatwork.com

MP Joy Smith Proposes Criminal Code Amendments to Enhance Canada’s Trafficking In Persons Offences

Ottawa, ON: Monday, Conservative Member of Parliament Joy Smith introduced a Private Members’ Bill to make two important amendments that will help combat modern day slavery in Canada and abroad.

The Private Members’ Bill, An Act to amend the Criminal Code (trafficking in persons), will amend the current trafficking in persons offence by providing an evidentiary aid to courts that enhances the definition of exploitation.

“Currently, the definition of exploitation in the human trafficking offence does not provide specific examples of exploitive conduct. As I spoke to prosecutors and law enforcement across Canada, I began to hear of the challenges this presented,” said MP Joy Smith. “My amendment will add an evidentiary aid for the Court to provide clear examples of exploitation such as the use of threats, violence, coercion, and fraudulent means.”

Secondly, the Bill will amend the Criminal Code to enable Canadian human traffickers to be prosecuted in Canada when the offence occurs outside of Canada.

“Human trafficking is an egregious crime that is often carried out across international borders,” said MP Joy Smith. “While Canada has adopted stiff penalties for criminals who traffic victims into, through, and from Canada, it is important that we also prosecute Canadians who traffic or enslave vulnerable populations in other countries.”

MP Smith’s Private Members’ Bill has already received strong support from Canadian human trafficking experts, survivors and non-governmental organizations:

Prof. Benjamin Perrin, University of British Columbia, Faculty of Law, and author of Invisible Chains: Canada’s Underground World of Human Trafficking (Penguin, 2011)

“Human traffickers have evaded prosecution for their heinous crimes, in part, because Canada’s criminal laws are not explicit enough to clearly encompass the range of tactics employed by these serial exploiters. Member of Parliament Joy Smith is again responding to concerns by police and victims’ groups in seeking to amend our human trafficking laws to hold traffickers accountable and protect victims. I call on all Parliamentarians to support this initiative.”

Jamie McIntosh, Executive Director, International Justice Mission Canada
“The crime of human trafficking often transgresses international boundaries, with vulnerable men, women, and children subject to its devastating reach. Human traffickers, including those of Canadian nationality, will persist in their illicit trade if they believe their crimes will go unpunished. Extending authority to prosecute Canadians for human trafficking crimes committed abroad is an important step in the global fight against human trafficking. As a nation, we must commit to prosecuting Canadian nationals who commit these crimes, regardless of geographical location at the time of offence.”

Timea Nagy, Program Director, Walk With Me
“As an internationally trafficked survivor, who has been working with Canadian law enforcement to help human trafficking victims, I am absolutely thrilled to see this legislation presented by Mrs. Smith. It is clear, that Mrs. Smith has consulted professionals, experts from the field, and listened. This Bill will help Canadian law enforcement and prosecutors to be able to do their job and send a message to traffickers around the world, that Canada does not tolerate this crime against human dignity.”

K. Brian McConaghy, Founding Director, Ratanak International
“It is imperative that Canada continues to maintain and enhance a position of strength combating modern day slavery both domestic and international. It is a given that we must protect those weak among us who are at risk of being trafficked. It is no less important that we protect those in other countries from Canadian predators who would traffic in human lives. Such Canadians must be held fully accountable for their actions. This amendment, conforming to international legal norms, positions Canada to do just that and as such is to be commended.”

Shae Invidiata, Founder, [free-them]
“In conjunction with The Act and The Purpose, The United Nations deems a case to be human trafficking if ‘threatened of’ or ‘use of violence, force, coercions, fraudulent misrepresentation or fraudulent means’ is used. Without any hesitation these methods constitute exploitation and, in supporting Mrs. Smith’s Private Members Bill, should be amended into the Criminal Code of Canada.”

Prior to presenting her Private Members’ Bill today, MP Joy Smith will be recognized for her anti-human trafficking efforts. UN Women Canada National Committee will be honouring her at a special luncheon with the UN Women Canada 2011 Recognition of Achievements Award.

MP Joy Smith has placed fourth on the Order of Precedence for Private Members’ Business. The Order of Precedence consists of the items of Private Members’ Business that are scheduled for debate in the House and is chosen randomly at the beginning of each Parliament. In 2009, MP Joy Smith placed third on the Order of Precedence and brought forward Bill C-268. This legislation successfully passed into law creating Canada’s first child trafficking offence with mandatory minimum sentences.

There’s a federal election in full swing. In Red Deer, you almost wouldn’t know. Life’s been busy as of late and in all honesty, the election hasn’t been on my mind. However, on a drive between point A to B last week, I started to notice that there was only one sign in town. Wondering if there were more than a single option at the poll, I did a little tweeting and soon discovered there are actually 4 candidates: Earl Dreeshen (Conservative; Incumbent); Mason Sisson (Green Party); Andrew Lineker (Liberal); Stuart Somerville (NDP)

I also wondered how many other Red Deerians knew or did not know this fact. Like me, I’m sure many local residents get most of their news online.

Even though it was last minute, I decided to email all the candidates last week to get to know them a little bit and share their answers with you. The questions are similar to the ones I asked for the recent municipal election in Red Deer in 2010. I think it’s good to ask candidates the questions that interest you and will help get a sense of their values.

Perhaps only one or two will respond. Given the short span of the election and my tardy attempt to get informed, I may not hear from all of them, but it was worth it to me to do the due diligence.

The Process

- I don’t plan to publicly endorse any candidate for Council

- All candidates for MP were contacted and asked to respond to the same 10 Qs

- Candidates who’ve joined the fun will have As published starting 25 April, an interview published each successive day

– I’ve published the interviews as they were submitted by the candidates (imperfect grammar and all).

- Candidate interviews will be featured in the order their As came back to me

The Candidates Interviews

Stuart Sommerville (NDP Party)

Mason Sisson (Green Party)

Andrew Lineker (Liberal Party)

Earl Dreeshen (Conservative Party) – Did not respond – Elected (ironic statement here)

Helpful links

What you need to know to vote (Registration, etc.)

Where you should go to vote

Red Deer Riding demographics + statistics (CBC)

How federal elections “work” in Canada

My friends Steve and Amie Gosselin live and work in Cambodia, where they have been since 2008 when they moved to Phnom Penh to pursue meaningful work. Steve is an Electronic Systems Engineer who grew up in Saskatchewan. Amie is a Journalist from Saskatchewan and Alberta.

Steve and Aime inspire me with their panache for adventure, their habit of living simply, and their commitment to help others. I was really interested to learn from them what life is like in Cambodia, and what their unique perspective is of a country with a painful past, a country I’ve yet to see.

Andrew Kooman: What was your reason for first packing up your bags and heading to Asia?

AG: Work has been challenging and adventurous and a steep learning curve for both of us. That constitutes an adventure of sorts right? We have both been thrown into responsibility and experiences that we never expected and have grown through them – it’s terrifying and exhilirating all at the same time. We’ve also had a chance to explore more of this part of the world, learn a new language and grow more and more in love with Asia every day.

SG: I think the heart of adventure is the day to day routine. Nothing ever goes quite as planned. There are things every week that surprise us about the local culture. Traveling inside the country for work or pleasure can be difficult but never without adventure. There are daily adventures stumbling through the local language and interacting with a local culture that can possibly be understood but not easily adopted by a foreigner.

AK: How heavy does the cloud of the Khmer Rouge and the history of genocide loom over the country?

SG: The KR history still plays a major role here. On the one hand, most of the people are too young to remember anything so there is a vibrant optimism and forward thinking generation. But there are still plenty (anyone over 40) and every single one of them has a story and the story is one of pain, death, and suffering. As far as I can see it, these experiences have scarred the people involved and only through the passing of one generation to the next will people be able to truly move forward. But even after moving forward there are some things that are now built into the culture as a result of this history.

One I call the ‘survival mentality’. Growing up with parents who survived the war has instilled the notion of ‘every man for himself’ or rather every family (or network) for themselves. This is apparent by the growing polarity between the rich and poor. Everyone is getting a little richer but some are getting extremely rich and over the last 5 years have started to display their wealth and power. (Like driving Lexuses, Ferrari’s and other luxury cars, etc.)

Another example I see with this survival mentality is the lack of foresight. There is hardly any planning, investment, or saving with the local people. A coworker of mine resorts to eating a couple packs of instant noodles a day by the end of the month just living paycheck to paycheck. Dig deeper and you find that the same guy throws extravagant parties half way through the month which is great on the one hand that one would spend everything they have on friends and family but on the other hand there is no concept of next month or sometimes even next week. People will also job switch into an entirely different career for an extra $30 to their salary. Salary is everything to people who live on seasonal or contract work.

AK: How do you see the consequence of the country’s political history play out in your daily work and in every day life in Phnom Penh?

SG: The war was terrible. Cambodians don’t want war again – the 30 year reign of Cambodia’s one party state continues because of this. Cambodians vote for them because there is stability and peace, even if it means turning a blind eye to corruption and an emerging class of uber-rich Khmer elites. That is one consequence – one of the most corrupt countries in the world. So many things are done under the table, there is a huge black market, everything has a price, and you can bribe anyone for nearly everything.

Here are a couple of examples: traffic violations are solved by a) escaping from the police (they never chase if you can scoot around them), b) negotiating the price of the infraction – usually comes down to $1-$5. Importing anything into Cambodia is a nightmare of lining pockets, so is getting a driver’s license, crossing a border or getting out of a sticky situation.

AK: How has the country’s history and its current social and political reality informed your concept of justice?

AG: We’ve started to see justice more as an issue of reconciliation and peace than ever before. The government of Cambodia along with the UN has been going through KR tribunals and pursuing a very Western-oriented form of justice. And while it does set a standard for dealing with perpetrators of genocide, I’m not sure that your ordinary Cambodian has recovered from the deep and raw trauma of the KR regime. Justice goes deeper than a court case. It affects hearts and attitudes and mindsets. And we’ve been challenged living in Cambodia to see God’s world and His people, and human sin, through His eyes and not our own Western worldview.

I also think a lot about international justice. And now, more than ever before, I just don’t believe its enough to give financially to great organizations doing great work (though this is important and we do this ourselves). Charity isn’t enough. God calls us to a higher standard – where we actually believe (and make good on that through our actions) that the people on the other side of the globe who are making our clothes and growing our coffee – are of equal value. We are called to live life in such a way that we pursue justice in the multitude of decisions we make everyday – the food we eat, the clothes we wear, the money we spend, the people we love.

AK: What are some of the things you miss about living in Canada?

AG: I miss my family and I miss being cold. What I wouldn’t give to wear a sweatshirt once and awhile.

SG: I miss occasional cool weather, mountains, hiking, wilderness.

AK: What are some of the things we’re missing by living in Canada?

AG: We see global connections in hypercolour here. Cambodian women work in factories that produce American Eagle and Gap and Lulu Lemon clothing. We know how much they get paid every month – and we also know the price tag on the t-shirts and shorts and pants that are sold at home. We aren’t removed from the interconnectedness of the global economy and I think becoming aware of how decisions in the global north impact the global south has challenged us to make some lifestyle changes. Living in Cambodia we’ve learned some amazing values – like family, and community and joy.

AK: Something I’ve picked up from you as a couple is that wherever you live, in Canada or beyond, you choose to live simply. How has living in Phnom Penh made the simple life more of a reality?

SG: Simple living is easier in Phnom Penh because the local people are doing just that. Seriously, the resourcefulness is astounding. Nothing is thrown away. Everything is repaired and re-engineered.

Some daily things that show our simplicity are as follows: we bicycle a lot. Asia isn’t built for the car (thankfully). We cook from scratch a lot – ever made yogurt? wraps? refried beans? ice cream? We rely on community a lot more – can I borrow your moto? We wash clothes by hand in a bucket. We don’t have every tool we need in the kitchen and that’s ok (did you know you can live without a microwave, garlic press, oven?). It’s been exciting and remarkable to learn that we actually don’t need that much to be happy.

AK: Do you think living simply, in North America is a luxury or is it a reality? Do you have any tips for people who want to reduce their level of consumption and live a more simple life in North America?

SG: I think we could write a book on this. The concepts are pretty obvious. It is just a little counter-cultural to live them out and sometimes impossible altogether when you flow with normal everyday North American life. Things like cutting down on time in the car, home cooking, living in intentional community, sharing resources, etc… are things everyone has heard about but implementing them takes some serious life decisions. Can I live close to where I work? What if everyone is going out to eat again or going to another movie? Do I need that new kitchen contraption?

I feel like we work really hard at making things convenient in the West (driving, microwaves, coffee grinders, clothes dryers, snow blowers, dishwashers) but for what purpose? I think asking that question is a good first step at reducing consumption and living more simply. What are we freeing up the time to do? And maybe, why are we so busy in the first place? Maybe hanging clothes out to dry or washing dishes isn’t such a bad thing – can you put a price on winding down after a rough day, thinking through an issue, or turning something into a communal event?

AK: I’m no psychologist, so it might seem silly to some for me to venture into this question. But I do want to ask about the complexities I imagine that exist for you as white foreigners from wealthy countries living in a country that the US State Department describes as rife with poverty, populated with young people who face high unemployment, and rampant with corruption. Enter the Gosselins. How do you think you are seen and understood by average Cambodians?

SG: We are the upperclass, no discussion required. White skin = wealth no matter what your story is. They all know you bought the plane ticket to come and when 95% of them have never left the country, just crossing a border is something only for the upper class. Aside from that, average Cambodians are continually confused by us. Firstly they have expectations from hollywood that always fall short. If they are rich, why do they ride bicycles? Why would they want to tan their beautiful white skin? Why do they dress so casually or poorly? How could they go a meal without rice? We recently force fed peanut butter to a colleague who promptly gagged and said it was the worst culinary experience he’s had in a long time.

These perceptions are difficult to overcome. After being here for a while, you kind of want to avoid the stares and just fit in. But as time passes, I am seeing that this can never be totally possible. Even if a foreigner could take on the economic lifestyle of a regular Cambodian, there are deep relational networks of family, relatives, and friends that are extremely difficult to break into. Largely, no matter how long your stay, you will always be a visitor. Also, it is extremely rare to see a foreigner (including ourselves) who has tasted wealth and can give it up. We have the expectations of travel, eating healthy, holidays, etc… and our connections, job possibilities and skin color keeps those opportunities available.

AG: With all of this in mind, it becomes really important for foreigners to plan an exit strategy. To equip local leaders. To train. To encourage Cambodians to take on leadership. And to let go and move out when the time is right.

AK: Do you ever find that “Where you are” and “Where you are from” creates internal or external conflict, and if so, how do you negotiate it?

AG: Oh gosh, yes, everyday. Everything from traffic, to work, to buying stuff at the market, to making friends is always a reminder that we live in a country that is not our own. How do we negotiate? By trying to fit in as much as possible, and also not letting ourselves feel too guilty when it doesn’t work. We try to laugh a lot. We have become more patient with ourselves and are learning to let things roll off of our backs because there will always be that tension. And I think that tension drives us to our knees everyday. And ultimately, that’s a good thing.

AK: Steve, I’m also not a scientist, but I’m interested to hear from you about your experience as an engineer. Power (not the political kind, but the types we use to run the world and its economies and machines) is of utmost importance to nations. Why is renewable energy important to you, personally, and what, if anything, is at stake for Cambodia in this regard?

SG: Arriving at renewable energy was a long process. Most engineering jobs in Canada lead either to the electronic (mobile) communications or the oil industry and those areas soon lost their appeal for me. I worked for a couple years in the wind power industry and while this was a excellent introduction to the area, I quickly realized that the small scale community based approach was the most interesting. This type of focus is not very wide-spread in the developed world and I set my sites overseas and specifically to developing countries in Asia. It’s funny that you should compare electrical power to political power because I think in the next decades power is increasingly becoming power!

Renewable energy is largely a battle for decentralization and community based projects. Often massive energy grids are controlled by the rich and access for the poor is a long and expensive battle. In Cambodia, only 20% of people have access to the electricity grid and while this might not be the most important development compared to shelter, food, health, schooling etc.., it is often just as desired. Most of the time lighting falls second to mobile phones and TV. In a very social society and one where rural people are largely cut off from the world, communication within their family and networks is priority.

Solar energy in particular is important to me because I think it will play a huge role in the future. I like the modular and small-scale approach as well. It ‘empowers’ people and opens up many opportunities for imaginative applications and businesses. While I do care a lot about the environment, I wouldn’t say it was my primary driving force. I am more interested in the experiences at the community level and the opportunities available outside of the mainstream, big business and government way of doing things. In a tropical country like Cambodia, the energy potential is literally beating down on us every every day.

AK: Aime, a visit to your blog – Musings of a Social Conscience – reveals that your experience in Cambodia is sometimes gut wrenching and often soul searching (aka your reading list). I know from my travels there seems to be an accumulating force of experience that at some point starts to tell you something about your own self and about reality that reveals truth you might not otherwise know. How has it all added up for you, so far?

AG: When i first started traveling in high school – I was overwhelmed by poverty. Overcome with pity (for desperate people everywhere trying to survive). And burdened with an urgent desire to somehow make that right.

But I’ve learned something important. First of all how profoundly selfish I am and how that works into every single corner of my life. Secondly, I’ve learned that people don’t want pity. They want to be taken seriously. As farmers. As students. As mothers and fathers. As educators. As investors. As business people. They don’t want the Western World’s charity. They just want to have the same opportunities we’ve made (and protected) for ourselves. Like access to global markets. Like access to land and water and fuel. They want to grow their own food and not just routinely accept the cheap castoff grains the West dumps on them (if you don’t believe me, read my reading list on my blog). They want their kids to go to university. They want to transform their own countries.

I really believe that if we want to make God’s Kingdom come alive on earth as it is in Heaven, that the Body of Christ should be leading this. Going beyond pity. Going beyond charity. Staring our collective selfishness in the eye and naming it. Dying to ourselves (really and truly believing that people around the world are of equal value to us and created in the image of God), picking up our crosses (living more simply so others can simply live) and following Jesus in bringing healing, restoration and new life to the global community. I believe that is beautiful Good News.

AK: Something I can’t shy away from is your seeming fixation as a couple on Ultimate Frisbee. What gives?

SG: Ultimate frisbee goes way beyond just being a sport. Yes, the game is enjoyable but the sport is tied very strongly to good spirit and community. These are the aspects that keep us coming back for more. Some tournaments only give spirit awards! Some other defining features are the fact that the sport is self-refereed, non-contact as well as co-ed. These aspects allow everyone to participate while keeping down aggression and over-competitiveness that can result from other sports.

Ultimate is growing in Asia! I would say that people talk about at least 20 important Asian tournaments every year. February is Bangkok, March is Phnom Penh, and Kunming, April is Kuala Lumpur, June is Singapore, November Manila, December Saigon and on and on. We try to get to one or two of these a year and they are always a treat. It’s nice to travel somewhere with a purpose and also to be instantly welcomed into a community. As Cambodia is a tropical country, we also play every weekend year round!! Beats the 4-6 month season in Canada!

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Follow Aime on her blog and twitter.

You can also follow the couple on their adventures on their official website.

Did you know that in Canada, ISBNs are issued for free?

I didn’t.

The Canadian ISBN Service, overseen by Library and Archives Canada, distributes ISBNs in packages of ten, and whether you’re an established publisher, a start up, or a self-publisher, you are issued your own ISBN prefix, a process I finalized last week.  Now I’m rocking some serious book code.

I did a bunch of engine searching, of the web variety, to find it out.  The things they should really be teaching you in school, along with budgeting, ironing, and how to change the oil in your car!

I spoke with a pleasant francophone sur la telephone.  I had registered as a publisher and within a day been granted my ISBNs.  I found the website to be a little obscure, and I phoned because I wanted to verify that my numbers were legitimate, that I hadn’t somehow bucked the system and got away with a freebie when I shouldn’t have (she thought this was very honest, I just thought it wise: what if, down the road I was in possession of a number that shouldn’t be my own?)

What the website lacks in information, it makes up for in the ease with which, once an account holder, you can request, acquire, and assign ISBNs to publications.

The first number in my possession that I assigned: 978-0-9865813-0-4 for the forthcoming Disappointed by Hope: Migrants and Refugees in Search of a Better Country.

The second?  Why for God/he, of course: 978-0-9865813-1-1

If you’re in need of a handy bar-code (like the one pictured below) so your book can be scanned by those dandy infrared devices you’ll have to shell out some money for those, something any printer worth their weight in paper can arrange.

If you didn’t know or are searching for info about ISBNs I hope this post will help.  It might save you, at very least, a phone call.

My friend Amy Wegner is donating all proceeds of her illustrated book for children to relief efforts in Haiti to the Eben-ezer Clinic in Haut-Limbe.  The clinic is gathering a team and supplies to bring aid to a slum area of Port-au-Prince. I

Amy is selling the book HERE, for $15.  Click the link to learn more about the project.  All the proceeds will go directly to the Eben-ezer Clinic in Haut-Limbe and each $15 will be matched by the CIDA.

Synopsis: The extreme Haitian heat compels a young, North American boy to “wish it would rain big, splashy drops” while his family visits Haiti. Instead of rain, what he encounters reveals to him the wonders and beauty of Haiti.  Based on experiences of the author’s family, I Wish it Would Rain by Amy Wegner, is a delightful children’s picture book that shares the beauty found beyond familiar borders.

Check out the Salvation Army’s website re: human trafficking in Canada.
And, learn about The Weekend of Prayer for Victims of Sex Trafficking, September 25-27, 2009.