A fourth wall break is what happens when a character in a film or TV show turns to face the camera and speaks directly to the audience, often while the rest of the cast either pauses for the monologue, or carries on with the action without noticing. Netflix’s House of Cards is probably the most … Continue reading 42-Prime Minister Jack…Hemp?
Grip & Grin
The next several parts of Uprising deals with Douglas Bland's views on politicians and how they think/operate. As a lifelong resident of Ottawa, I'm naturally adverse to hearing criticism of the company that keeps my town afloat. This is a government town. Take your fancy high-paying, white collar, non-unionised jobs back to Montreal or Toronto … Continue reading Grip & Grin
Supplemental Reading – Robert Falcon Ouellette on the Métis Wars
Sometimes you get lucky, and the fates conspire to hand you a gift. So I already (briefly) introduced Member of Parliament Robert Falcon Ouellette, the MP for Winnipeg Centre. He's the real life human being who stands in contrast to the underwhelming Jim Riley whom Bland has representing a similar region in the novel (Winnipeg … Continue reading Supplemental Reading – Robert Falcon Ouellette on the Métis Wars
41-Alex & Molly have thoughts about Louis…
Now that we’ve established some basic facts about Louis Riel and the ‘Riel Rebellions’ we can take a proper look at how Douglas Bland characterizes this complex man in Uprising. In my last deconstruction post Molly Grace was about to launch into her own mini-dissertation on the subject of Louis Riel. Meanwhile, one chapter earlier, … Continue reading 41-Alex & Molly have thoughts about Louis…
Louis Riel – Textbook Edition
So we're coming up on a part of the novel that's going to deal in some detail with Louis Riel, the Métis Leader, rebel, mystic, and (not paradoxically) Father of Confederation. Since there's people reading this blog from all over the world (hey everyone!) I figured I'd provide a quick, condensed history of Louis Riel … Continue reading Louis Riel – Textbook Edition
40-Brief Continuity
***Apologies in advance for the delays in posting. I have been dealing with a combination of work and illness which has made the last week exhausting.*** Oh boy…it’s another briefing! A frustrating reality about Bland’s work is that he’s going to tell most of the story from the perspective of various headquarters, and he’s going … Continue reading 40-Brief Continuity
Musical Interlude – We are the Halluci Nation
***Before we begin! In this post I discuss the belief systems of some Indigenous people in Canada and the United States. I'm doing my best to represent things properly but, as I have said before, I'm not an expert here. More importantly, the beliefs and philosophies I'm writing about here are held by some First Nations … Continue reading Musical Interlude – We are the Halluci Nation
Shame. You need it.
***The following post is a follow-on to this one in the deconstruction. My intent is to expand on some of the points I made in the post, and tie them in with some of the ideas I'd been kicking around for a Personal Philosophy post. Be warned that it deals with issues of character building in … Continue reading Shame. You need it.
39 – Molly’s Speech (Again??!!)
So the challenge has been made, and Molly Grace is about to show these clowns what leadership really is! “Backsliders!” she said in loud icy voice. Her fury sweat the table, startling the chiefs. No...actually, she's not. I'm sorry but it's going to be another speech, only there's going to be a fair bit more … Continue reading 39 – Molly’s Speech (Again??!!)
Supplemental Reading – I am Thursday/Alpharius!
So in the novel Uprising, we’re told that the Complex at Akwesasne is so secure, that people working in one part are not allowed to wander into other parts lest they see something they shouldn’t. To make sure they don’t wander, guards posted everywhere. The guards can apparently be trusted to see everything. More recently, … Continue reading Supplemental Reading – I am Thursday/Alpharius!
Putting Down Uprising 