Sir John A and Michael Tuesdays and Thursdays

Last week, CBC aired a biography about the critical, pre-confederation period in the life of John A. Macdonald.

This was the kind of thing CBC used to do all the time, before they started focusing on the more populist stuff. It was a good, but not perfect, film and Shawn Doyle just owned it as Macdonald. I think he’s going to go far as an actor. This was also the first film I’ve seen in a while where I’ve looked up the name of the costume designer: Mary Partridge. Seriously, look at that swelegant ass Father of Confederation right up there. She needs an award for these threads. I think I’ve seen my costume for Montreal Comic-Con next year.

I’d like to see CBC mine our history for TV projects more often. Despite what some may think, there’s a lot to work with there but I wonder if there’s a reluctance to do this stuff because of a perception that it would be cost-prohibitive. Or because they think people would rather watch Battle of the Blades. And perhaps they would but it just seems that if we’re to have a public broadcaster then this just might be the type of thing we’d want them to produce more often.

Understandably, Canadian TV and film have limited budgets to work with and yet, other countries manage to do brilliant stuff on a shoe-string. The South African District 9 was made for peanuts and yet it was better than most of the science fiction that came out of Hollywood that year. So budget isn’t always the obstacle. John A: Birth of a Country reminded me in a sense of Aaron Sorkin’s The West Wing which relied primarily on intelligent dialogue in which two characters discussed not just passing a new law but the real world consequences of that law. I think that’s a starting point. Canada is as much about ideas as it is action.

I’ve also recently started watching Michael: Tuesdays and Thursdays. The Ottawa-based sit-com, about a therapy patient and the slightly unethical therapist who’s writing a book about him, is smart, well-written and acted, and getting abysmal ratings which the show’s star cunningly describes as “intimate.” But surely if the 28th season (or whatever it is) of Two and a Half Men deserves a spot on the dial, then Micheal… has earned its place as well. And if anyone should be running it, it’s CBC, “intimate” audiences or not.

Because nobody else is commemorating 9/11

On September 11, 2001, this story was published in the Globe and Mail (I’m linking to the CBC version as I can’t find the archived Globe version). It concerned the arrest of a man suspected in the 1971 highjacking of an Air Canada plane.

I read this story at my desk at work as I began my shift at the call centre. I thought how it was interesting that you never hear of planes being highjacked anymore.

And then the rest of the day happened.

How did you get to be three years old?

Last week, you turned three. You now speak in full sentences and “This is how…” is your favourite phrase to use in one. “This is the kitchen,” you’ll say. “This is how we make our breakfast.”

You’re tall for your age, but slim. You’ve got the height genes from your mother’s side of the family, thank goodness.

We moved to a townhouse in Pointe-Claire so you’d have a bit of a yard and we’d be in a quieter neighbourhood. You’re officially a West Islander now. You may or may not resent this when you’re older.

We now spend our Friday suppers at Harvey’s (I like their veggie burgers) and our Sunday afternoons at the library. You love your books more than anything. It’s actually become a problem as you are up hours past your bed time with all your books spread out on your bed. I know that sounds like a humble brag but it’s just what it’s like right now.

You’re still talking about meeting Gi Ant from What’s Your News? at Kids CBC days two months ago. We took you to your first movie in a theatre: Winnie the Pooh.

You skipped the terrible twos but I think at three years old, you’re going to be even more of a challenge. Did we start potty training five years ago? Feels like it.

When you’re not throwing fits over potty training, you’re a pleasant easy-going kid (too easy-going, according to your instructors at day care). We have conversations now, sometimes the same ones, over and over.

This morning, I heard a report on the radio that had researchers warning us spoiling your children with everything they want is part of something called “affluenza“. This can lead to depression and other psychological problems later in life. Well, I looked at my bank account and I can promise you that, as your father, this will never ever happen.

I’m also glad that I sprang for the stain guard on the new chesterfield.

I love you.