Friday, 4 November 2022

My remembrance of Jerry Lee Lewis


Tonight I want to write about Jerry Lee Lewis, the wild man of rock ‘n’ roll. He died last Friday (Oct. 28), and by accounts I read he was the last of the rock 'n' roll pioneers. I got to see him perform live once in 1995, for the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame's opening day concert in Cleveland. The photo you see is from that concert appearance. He always gave electric performances. He endured and lived through so many challenges that were often self-inflicted, yet I believe he came out on the other side. May he Rest In Peace.

Saturday, 10 September 2022

My indirect connection to Queen Elizabeth II


I never met the Queen. The closest connection I had with her, albeit an indirect one, was the night I was presented with a Diamond Jubilee Medal in 2013. The medal commemorated her 60th anniversary as monarch. It was fellow honouree George ‘Strombo’ Stroumboulopoulos who gave me the medal. Later that night I met up with David Onley, then the Lieutenant Governor of Ontario, the Queen’s provincial representative. Years later I learned that it was Onley himself who nominated me for the medal. Though it did not come from the Queen personally, I accept it as a gift from her. I also see the medal as recognition for my participation in disability advocacy and voluntary activities.