abby paige.writer.actor

It’s been a good long time since I’ve posted an update here. The majority of this year, since June anyway, has been taken up by a big move from Montreal to Ottawa. I hesitate to call myself an Ottawan; although they are supposedly “the happiest people in Canada,” they are also — according to one editorial that appeared not long after my move — “the trouble with Ottawa.” The editorial is persuasive. There does seem to be some deficit of vision around here. Billboards near the Ottawa International Airport declare that it is the #1 airport in the world, which seems sort of like inviting friends over to admire your driveway.

Nonetheless, I’m withholding judgment. It’s early days yet, and a lack might well be an invitation, no? My personal interactions with Ottawans have been extremely pleasant, and I’m looking forward to establishing professional and creative roots here as I continue my freelance business as a writer and editor. Stay tuned for further updates!

I’m basking in the afterglow of a weekend among Franco-American artists and scholars at the University of Maine in Orono. Susan Pinette, Director of the Franco-American Studies program there, organized a deeply inspiring conference, exploring the history and future of the Franco-American community. It was a great time, and the perfect place to perform my solo show, Piecework: When We Were French. For me, the show has been an extraordinary opportunity to grow professionally (nothing like 70 minutes alone on stage to develop one’s acting chops!) and personally, as I’ve gotten in touch with my heritage and come to a greater understanding of its influence on me. This weekend was another important step in this process.

As I bask, I’ve added a bunch of Franco-American organizations, people, and other resources to my Links page, and I’ll continue to add to the list. Let me know if you have any suggestions of Franco resources in your area that should be included!

Jan Jorgensen, curator of The Lawn Chair Soiree, has planned an evening of eye-popping literary delights for you to cap off her season of events. I’ll have the honour of serving as MC for the evening, and a whole crowd of excellent Montreal writers will share their work. Come lend them your ears!

the lawn chair soiree on Tuesday, May 25th, 7 – 9 pm
le parc des princes, 5293 Ave. du Parc, Montreal

Featuring Sujata Bhatia, Coralie del Roble Duchesne, Jocelyne Dubois, Julie Mahfood, Kirsten Shute, Sandra Sjollema, Rachna Vohra, Paule Guérard and your guest M.C., Abby Paige.

I tend to get words and phrases stuck in my head the way a little bit of music would probably get caught in the mind of a musician. For the last couple of weeks, I’ve had a phrase from the Christmas carol “O Holy Night” echoing around in my head: the thrill of hope.

May the holidays bring peace and comfort to you and yours, and as you look toward the New Year, I hope you get a taste of that thrill. See you in 2010.