One hour to go, and it’s time to pack everything up and get it all in the truck to go home.  Before I left the station yesterday morning, I was told two things – make sure the truck doesn’t get dirty, and don’t use the base of the internet modem because last time you were out there it came back kinda loose!  I laughed.  So…would you like me to take off my boots when I get in the car to blog?  Hold the modem out the window and type with one hand?  What, exactly, do you think I’m doing out here?

     I think I’m in the clear though.  I used the base, but it seems study.  And since the modem wasn’t working at all until about 8:00 this morning, I haven’t been in the truck much at all.  We’ll see if I’m appropriately chastised for not putting the cup holders back in the proper way tomorrow morning.  In the meantime, we’re done here.  Lots of money raised for www.operationcomehome.ca, lots of awareness created, and many terrific and generous people stopping by.

     One final thought before I pack up this computer and go – many people like to stop by and rag on the kids, complain about the government and generally place the blame on the individuals in this situation.  One lady came by last night and started yelling about “get a job, you don’t have to be out here”.  She said SHE had a fifteen year old, and that he had a job already and went to school and so forth.  I asked her if she would let her son drive her car.  She said no, he wasn’t old enough.  I asked if she would like to see him vote.  She said he had no idea what the issues were, why would he want to vote?  My point being – if a fifteen year old can’t be trusted to drive, or to vote, or to buy alcohol or to smoke cigarettes, how can anyone say they’re responsible for their own situation when they end up on the streets?

     Whether they’re there because of abusive, dangerous home lives or because they are rebellious and just want out, the situation is the same.  They’re not old enough to be expected to make the right decisions at this time in their lives, and they need the direction and guidance of people who know the ropes and know what lies ahead.  And with any luck, what lies ahead is NOT more homelessness, but an escape from life on the streets, a job, a home and a paycheck.  And that’s what Operation Come Home does.  We provide that assistance to those kids who want it.  And we’re doing it now more than ever.

     Operation Come Home has expanded immeasurably in the last few years, and we’re moving to a bigger building again this week.  That’s because more and more kids are trusting the program, seeing the results of the program, and wanting to be a part of it.  That’s an incredibly positive sign.  And it means OCH is making inroads in the community.  In fact, I can see the change in the six years I’ve been doing this – when we first started the 24 hours of homelessness campaign, many kids resented us.  They called us the “fake homeless” and felt like we were making fun of them.  In the intervening six years, the vibe has changed enormously, to the point where this year three of the kids stayed out all night with us, making sure we weren’t hassled.

     We want the trend to continue, and we want to build on this success.  So thank you so much to everyone who donated or stopped by to wish us well today.  And to those who posted friendly messages on facebook.  Messages that I managed to get as of 8:00 this morning.  OK, going home!  Thanks again!

    Just slept for about two and a half hours.  It was a better sleep today than it was last night, amazingly.  Maybe i’m just that much more tired than I was last night.  Woke up when the Mission dropped by to bring us a simple yet tremsndously satisfying pasta meal.  Couple of places to thank – The Mission, who brought us food a couple of times while we were sleeping out here.  We’re beside a Scotiabank, and Scotiabank made a substantial corporate donation to Operation Come Home this year www.operationcomehome.ca Also the street outreach program, who dropped by with hand warmers and snacks, and of course the people of Operation Come Home who brought us sleeping bags and laid out our cardboard.  In two hours, I’m going to go home and sleep in my warm-ass comfy bed, or maybe on the couch in front of a hot fire after a long hot bath.  These kids are not.  They will do this again tonight.  That’s what this is about. 

     One more thing – my buddy Van came by last night to take some pictures.  He runs a photo business, and wanted some shots for his portfolio.  Of course we accepted – you can check out all the pictures at his website, here.  Also, tune in to the CBC or CTV news at noon, we’ll be on both.  And a video will go up on the Ottawa Sun website this afternoon some time, and likely there will be a story in the paper tomorrow morning.  OK.  NOW I’m gonna try to nap.

     Because the internet is finally working out here, I’m trying to get everything in now…we’re all frozen.  Shaun was sick and had to go home.  A few of the girls had to go to work (at OCH), so they’re now in the building.  Only Thomas, Brigitte, Jess and myself remain for the moment.  Street outreach came by last night and brought us snacks and hot pockets.  The Mission came by later with sandwiches and apples.  Some kind CHEZ listeners brought coffee to all of us this morning, and the OCH crew have stopped by now and then with other accoutrements.  The support system is out there, it works, it’s just too bad it’s so badly needed.

     Let’s see…what’s happened…the snowplows woke us up at 1:00.  Then again at 3:00.  There wasn’t nearly enough snow to plow, let alone plow it twice.  The bars let out at 2:00, and some really cool kids stopped by to yell at us to get a job and go home.  What a hilarious bunch of cut-ups they were.  They were like “get a job, ya bums” and I was like “get sober – it’s Wednesday!”  Some of the kids stayed with us throughout most of the night – Phil is still wrapped in a sleeping bag and fast asleep, the others left around 3:30 or 4:00 in the morning.  They wanted to make sure people left us alone.  For the most part, they did.

     Now we’re all frozen stiff.  The toes are the worst – most of us have boots that say “good to -40 degrees”, or some such thing.  I don’t know what that is supposed to mean.  It obviously doesn’t mean it will keep your toes warm at -7.  The next thing to go are your exposed facial features.  Were I to do this for days at a time, I’m not sure how I could keep my nose from falling off my face.  I’m amazed that homeless kids in Ottawa don’t look like clones of late-life Michael Jackson.  Now my fingers are really feeling it, which is making typing difficult.  So I’m going to stop doing that, and try to get in a little nap before we’re done.  If such a thing is possible now.  www.operationcomehome.ca

     Just dropped into OCH’s drop-in centre for some breakfast.  Eggs and fries, much needed!  Cooked up some eggs for some people, now back on the street.  It occurs to me that the drop-in centre is important for many reasons, but mostly for one reason – as a gentleman showed me last night, the places where street kids congregate are a big key to helping them.  And when they congregate in a group outside McDonalds, they meet with thugs and bad people and become a part of that crowd.

     When they congregate in the drop-in centre, they are still meeting with the same people, but in an environment where the surroundings are far warmer and more condusive to change.  When they meet at OCH, they can then go upstairs to the learning centre and get an education.  Or they can learn to cook.  Or they can join Botleworks and get job experience.  Or they can join beadworks and make some legitimate money.  Or they can join Health Matters and learn to take better care of their bodies and lives. 

     The more time they spend at OCH, the better the chance that they will want to change their lives.  And OCH exists for two reasons – to get the kids to want to change their lives, and to give them a leg up when they decide to do so.  That’s why we’re expanding, yet again, to a bigger location near Laurier.  It’s not that there are MORE homeless kids than there were a few years ago, it’s that more of them are willing and wanting to seek out the help that organizations like OCH provide.  So donate money.  www.operationcomehome.ca

     Some kids came to sleep with us last night.  There are 7 of us sleeping outside this year for Operation Come Home.  Myself, Shaun Vardon of CTV and the Ottawa Senators, and 5 college kids from Algonquin and Ottawa U who work with the OCH kids regularly.  Soliciting donations at the William Street mall downtown (near the Scotiabank on Rideau).

     Last night, I took a tour around the market with an older homeless man named Dennis who, among other things, is a fantastic guitar player.  He pointed out the hangout areas to me.  Dennis has been homeless, off and on, since the age of 14.  he knows the streets.  He showed me the prostitutes and told me exactly when they turned to prostitution.  That one, a month ago.  That other one, a year ago.  Her, two weeks.  He made a good point.  When kids go to the streets to escape abusive homes, that’s one thing.  When it’s a rebellion, that’s another.  Initially it’s a rebellion that says “I’ll do what I want to do and screw you”.  And if you were to ask the prostitutes, they would say the same thing – “I do what I want, when I want”.  Of course, this isn’t quite true.  No one WANTS to be a prostitute.  But they have now confused their initial “I do what I want” rebellion with “I won’t do what you want me to do”.  It becomes a situation where NOT doing what most people do is the end in itself.  And often, at that point, it’s too late.

     A wise man, that Dennis.  Wise and homeless and too old for OCH.  That’s all we’re trying to do is prevent the young ones from becoming homeless for life.

     The following is a list of every single movie nominated for an Oscar (except for the short films, which are tough to find and see, and who cares anyway).  Click the links to see showtimes and locations for those still in theatres.

Winter’s Bone

     Available at video stores everywhere…was released on DVD in October.  Also available on Rogers On Demand. 

  Also nominated for:

Jennifer Lawrence – Actress
John Hawkes – Supporting Actor
Debra Granik & Anne Rosselini – Adapted Screenplay

The Fighter

     Still in theatres.   The World Exchange theatre has three showings a day.

  Also nominated for:

Christian Bale – Supporting Actor
Melissa Leo – Supporting Actress
Amy Adams – Supporting Actress
David O. Russell – Director
Pamela Martin – Film Editing
Four people – Original Screenplay

Inception

     Available at video stores everywhere in DVD and Blu-Ray.  Also on Rogers On Demand.  Will be screened the next few days at the Bytowne theatre.

  Also nominated for:

Art Direction
Cinematography
Music (Original Score)
Sound Editing
Sound Mixing
Visual Effects
Original Screenplay

Toy Story 3

     Available at video stores everywhere, on DVD and Blu-Ray.  Also available on Rogers On Demand. 

  Also nominated for:

Animated Feature Film
Original Song – “We Belong Together” (Randy Newman)
Sound Editing
Adapted Screenplay

True Grit

     Still in theatres.  Silver City in Gloucester has four showings daily.

  Also nominated for:

Actor – Jeff Bridges
Supporting Actress – Hailee Stanfield
Art Direction
Cinematography
Costume Design
Director – Coen Brothers
Sound Editing
Sound Mixing
Adapted Screenplay

The Social Network

     On DVD and Blu-Ray at video stores.  Doesn’t appear to be On Demand at the moment.  Screening at the Bytowne theatre.

  Also nominated for:

Actor – Jesse Eisenberg
Cinematography
Director – David Fincher
Film Editing
Music Original Score
Sound Mixing
Adapted Screenplay

127 Hours

     Still in theatres.  AMC Kanata has four showings each day.  

  Also nominated for:

Actor – James Franco
Film Editing
Music Original Score
Music Original Song – “If I Rise”
Adapted Screenplay

The Kids Are All Right

     On DVD and Blu-Ray at video stores, also On Demand. 

  Also nominated for:

Actress – Annette Bening
Supporting Actor – Mark Ruffalo
Original Screenplay

The King’s Speech

     Still in theatres.   South Keys has five showings a day.

  Also nominated for:

Actor – Colin Firth
Supporting Actor – Geoffrey Rush
Supporting Actress – Helena Bonham Carter
Director – Tom Hooper
Art Direction
Cinematography
Costume Design
Film Editing
Music Original Score
Sound Mixing
Original Screenplay

Black Swan

     Still in theatres – The Coliseum in Ottawa has three showings a day. 

  Also nominated for:

Actress – Natalie Portman
Director – Darren Aronofsky
Cinematography
Film Editing

     OTHER NOMINEES

Best foreign language film

  Incendies (Canada) – Not on DVD until April, not playing anywhere in the Ottawa region right now.

  Biutiful (Mexico) – Limited release coming up January 28th.  Check theatre listings – will likely be in Ottawa by February 11th.
     (also nominated for Best Actor – Javier Bardem)

  Dogtooth (Greece) – On DVD in some places (not Ottawa), coming to theatres in other places (maybe Ottawa, January 28th).

  In A Better World (Denmark) – Can’t find listings

  Outside The Law (Algeria) – Can’t find listings

Best Supporting Actor

  Jeremy Renner – The Town (in video stores and On Demand)

Best Actress

  Nicole Kidman – Rabbit Hole – At the World Exchange cinema only

  Michelle Williams – Blue Valentine – Opens Friday at World Exchange and Silver City

Best Supporting Actress

  Jacki Weaver – Animal Kingdom – On DVD now, video stores everywhere.

Animated Feature Film

  How To Train Your Dragon – In video stores on DVD and Blu-Ray
     (also nominated for Original Score)

  The Illusionist – Can’t find listings

Art Direction

  Alice In Wonderland – In video stores on DVD and Blu-Ray, On Demand
     (also nominated for Costume Design, Visual Effects)

  Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1 – In video stores on DVD and Blu-Ray, On Demand
     (also nominated for Visual Effects)

Costume Design

  I Am Love – On DVD in stores now.

  The Tempest – No local listings

Documentary feature film

  Exit Through the Gift Shop – On DVD in stores now

  Gasland – On DVD in stores now

  Inside Job – Not on DVD until March, no local theatre listings

  Restrepo – On DVD in stores now

  Waste Land – Not on DVD until March, no local theatre listings

Original Screenplay

  Another Year – Playing at the Bytowne this week

Visual Effects

  Iron Man 2 – On DVD and Blu-Ray at video stores

  Hereafter – Coming to DVD shelves March 15th, no local showtimes

Sound Mixing

  Salt – On DVD and Blu-Ray, On Demand

Sound Editing

  Tron: Legacy – Movie theatres all over the place

  Unstoppable – Ottawa Family Cinema and Rainbow St. Laurent right now, on DVD Feb. 15th

Original song

  Tangled – “I See The Light” – Theatres all over

  Country Strong – “Coming Home” – AMC, Silver City

Makeup

  Barney’s Version – Theatres all over

  The Way Back – No local listings, DVD release date in April

  The Wolfman – DVD and Blu-Ray at stores everywhere

     My wife has been having a recurring dream where I’m Ray Liotta in Goodfellas and I keep running around the house getting her to flush cocaine down the toilet.  She wakes up sweating and freaking out and looking for helicopters in the sky until she realizes that it was just a dream and the SWAT team is not about to kick in the door.  This has happened several times in the last week and I thought it was because she fell asleep one night watching Goodfellas and it stuck with her.

     But I now have a different theory.  I walked gingerly downstairs this morning when I woke up, and I heard a disembodied voice coming from somewhere in the dark.  I stopped, and the voice stopped.  I waited for a while, to see if the voice would return.  But it didn’t.  Until I moved again.  The voice clearly said “I’m gonna make him an offer he can’t refuse”. 

     It turns out there’s a good reason.  We bought a little Don Corleone bobblehead Godfather doll for one of the kids for Christmas a couple of years ago.  I no longer remember which kid, because whichever one it was put it on top of the TV and it’s stayed there ever since.  It used to say “I’m gonna make him an offer he can’t refuse” only when his head bobbled.  But now it appears the battery is running down.  And once every hour or so, he’ll speak up again.  This is very clearly audible only with the TV off and the house dead silent in the middle of the night.

     I know, The Godfather is not the same as Goodfellas.  So the dream doesn’t exactly match the disembodied voice.  But I think the influence of one on the other is still undeniable.  And it’s the disconnect between Godfather and Goodfellas that is the ONLY thing keeping me from finding a doll that says “I’d love to have a threeway” once an hour on the hour.  I’m thinking it will probably work, but there’s a slim chance it could go horribly wrong. 

     So in the meantime, I’m not telling her about the Godfather bobblehead, and I’m continuing to sympathize with the freaky dream about once a week.  And laughing about it when I’m alone.  In the meantime, I’m trying to figure out just how to subliminally implant the right ideas in my wife’s head while she sleeps.

  Green Bay (3.5) at Chicago – I think it says more about the way the Packers are playing than it does about the Bears that Green Bay is favoured at all.  Remember that final game of the season, where the Bears kept all their starters in, did a bang-up job on defense against Aaron Rodgers, and still managed to lose while scoring only three points in a meaningless game for Chicago?  Well, I guess it wasn’t that meaningless, since it was clear the Bears wanted to prevent the Pack from making the playoffs, simply so they could prevent today’s game from taking place.  They failed.  Packers, 24-17.

     Real final score – Packers, 21-14.  I’m SO RIGHT!

  New York Jets at Pittsburgh (3.5) – I don’t trust Ben Roethlisberger.  And I don’t mean just in social situations, I mean on the field as well.  The day will come when a jacked-up defense will hammer him, harass him and he’ll stand in too long until he makes mistakes.  Then again, I trust Mark Sanchez even less.  He starts out making mistakes, then settles down in the third quarter.  Against Pittsburgh, that may be too late.  I think this game comes down to the defenses almost entirely.  If Polamalu stays healthy throughout the game, the Steelers win, if not the Jets do.  Steelers, 21-20.

     Real final score – 24-19.  I was ALMOST exactly right.

     Went 2-2 last week.  But 3-1 against the spread, which is OK.  Now it gets even tougher, I think.

  Baltimore at Pittsburgh (3) – Pittsburgh is scary good.  With Polamalu running around back there causing all kinds of havoc, Flacco will not have a good game.  But then, I really don’t buy into the Pittsburgh offense.  And if Baltimore’s defense plays like it did against KC (you know, like they’re supposed to play), the Steelers offense will have fits also.  I said earlier in the season that Baltimore was better than Pittsburgh.  I still think they are.  Ravens, 17-14.

     Real final score – Steelers, 31-24.  What promised to be a hard-hitting powerful thriller ended up being a sloppy, painful dud.  Steelers were just awful in the first half, Ravens stunk it up even worse in the third quarter.

  Green Bay at Atlanta (2) – The lowest point spread of the weekend – are people really that convinced by Green Bay that they can take out the class of the NFC in the Georgia Dome, where they hardly ever lose?  Well, yes.  And so am I.  The Packers are a VERY scary team, and will be scaring their opponents right up to and including the Super Bowl.  Packers, 33-28.

     Real final score – Packers, 48-21.  The Pack is Super Bowl-bound.  Bet on it.

  Seattle at Chicago (10) – I don’t trust Jay Cutler in the playoffs at ALL.  I trust the Bears defense and special teams.  This could be a very exciting game, as two of the best kick returners in the world go head to head.  It will be closer than the ten.  But not much closer.  Bears, 23-14.

     Real final score – Bears, 35-24.  Okay, it was just barely MORE than ten.  Still.  Seahawks weren’t going any further than this.

  New York Jets at New England (8.5) – I said earlier in the year that the Jets were built solely to beat the Patriots.  And I still believe they were.  They just didn’t do a very good building job.  This spread is solely a result, I think, of that humiliating beatdown handed to the Jets earlier this season.  And I would say the chances of that happening again are zero.  Patriots, 23-20.

     Real final score – Jets, 28-21.  Belichick was so conscious of providing bulletin board fodder for the Jets that he benched Wes Welker for the beginning of the game.  And yet – the Jets can provide their own bulletin board fodder with the best of them.  Cromartie had to live up to all that pre-game trash talk.  And boy, did he ever.  Built. To. Beat. The. Patriots.

     2-2 on the week again.  2-2 against the spread again.  Weak!