Context

Context is everything.

















Then again, not so much.

















Sometimes the message and the medium don't mix, regardless of context. Under the banner of Grace Church Christian Reformed, I read: "Well, it is a whole lot better than shooting each other."

Sure, the message grabbed my attention. Not because of what the sign said, but because I wondered if there wasn't a better way to say it.

I suspect the reverend tried to provoke some thought in the face of rising urban violence. And by provoking, he may have also wanted to improve the attendance ratings at his church.

Is that what it takes now?

Perspective

There it was. An anniversary announcement to beat all. The sign stood before the Château. Château trailer, that is, by the road that leads to Mitchell, a town near Stratford, Ontario, home of the Shakespeare Festival. Somehow, methinks the Bard would have loved the ribald humour in this southwestern Ontario countryside.


















But forsooth! What's this? A change in camera position (and lens) reveals a distinctive lawn greeting by a family's home. Members of the Garden Club will never be the same when they come to this address for afternoon tea.

Special Olympics

The Special Olympics are the only Olympics where contestants hug their officials. Or so it is said. I can attest. There were plenty of hugs. Lots of high-fives, bumps, and handshakes, too. But above all, I saw smiles. Miles of them. The joy was infectious. And genuine. For five days, London, Ontario hosted the 2010 Canada Summer Games of the Special Olympics. I'll never forget the experience. It was honour to be included as part of the media contingent for this event. For more photographs, please go to the Inafoto gallery for Special Olympics.

The dress shoes are those of a Yukon athlete, worn during the Opening Ceremonies at the TD Waterhouse Stadium.