Now. Where was I?

Well, how about that? It seems these red shoes work. I clicked them three times, and here I am blogging again, after roughly 250 days away. It's nice to be back. Have I missed much?

For those who are curious, I was at the University of Toronto -- Massey College specifically -- on a Canadian Journalism Fellowship. This is a remarkable, wonderful opportunity for "mid-career journalists," as we're called, to audit classes and enjoy all that U of T and Massey has to offer. I met some great people, some who will be friends for life, and actually learned some things too.  Through a class called "Material Culture," a fascinating mix of anthropology, art, sociology, etc., I developed an interest in consumerism and politics which I hope to keep pursuing, here on this blog and elsewhere.  That's a work in progress.

But more immediately, I'm turning my attention this week to the looming Liberal convention. I haven't missed one since 1984, so I'm glad I'm back in time to see this one, even if it is Seinfeldian. Who doesn't love Seinfeld, anyway? I'm headed to Vancouver later today, so for the next six days or so, expect multiple postings on all things Liberal.

Past readers of this blog will also be noticing a few tweaks to this one too -- the product of some thinking and observation about this new digital journalistic age while I was away.  First thing you'll notice is a couple of new, regular features. On Mondays, I'll deal with reader email and questions. Every Friday, at week's end, I'm going to assemble something called "five things" -- rough collections of loosely related things worth reading, seeing, thinking about... Both of these features will get better with input from readers, so keep those cards and letters coming.

Comments

[Murray Campbell]

Welcome back, old friend.

[The Swine Brotherhood President]

Hey Susan, long time no... ahhh I'm too old to see. The 1984 Lib convention! I had wangled press passes to go as the Delhi News-Record politico expert, but couldn't due to, ummm, a certain national press award, a certain downtown T.O., ahem, Party (ho ho ho) that spent a whack of the money from said award and subsequent "invitation" to work at the North Bay Nugget to follow. I convinced Sam R. to be "me" in my stead. Security was trez different them daze,eh? Not a scribbler now (tears!, yes, tears!) I'm a newly minted licenced legal professional... who am I? (really.. I forget after 25 years)