BOB PARIS

Sorry to take so long between posts. Life has been quite full lately (more on that later).

Since my last post was about the TV show, Defying Gravity (where I had a recurring role), thought I'd give this link to to the episode where my part was expanded.

The link is to the CTV broadcast in Canada, which was posted on ABC's Defying Gravity web page.

Defying Gravity - Season One, Episode 109 - "Eve Ate the Apple"

My part begins at around 16 minutes, although I recommend watching the full episode...

And for those who were following the series, you'll know me as the Beta Team leader at the first act climax of Episode 103.

As I've written here before, working on this show was lots of fun, mainly because I got to play make-believe with a bunch of very talented people.

So... enjoy!

P.S. And if you like this show, be sure to share those feelings with ABC (and/or CTV, BBC, etc...). Although there have been plenty of rumours that it's been cancelled (at least on ABC in the U.S., where they stopped broadcasting at episode 108), my understanding is that the show's ultimate fate remains up in the air.

(Updated Aug. 4th)

Recently learned that the series I was cast in, Defying Gravity, was picked up by ABCin the US. The show will also be broadcast on CTV and SPACE in Canada, BBC in Britain and ProSeiben in Germany.

It premiers on Sunday, August 2nd.

I have a small part in episode 3 (which first airs on Sunday, August 9th) and episode 6. And then my character/part expands for episode 9, with great involvement in a key element of the plot.

This was a very cool experience, working with incredibly talented, good people - cast and crew - and I'm looking forward to more.

Tune in, tune in, tune in! And if you like what you see, let them know!

Hi Everyone,

Just returned from a wonderful summer holiday -- a splendid cross-continent road trip from my home here in the Gulf Islands of British Columbia, to Prince Edward Island, by way of my old Hoosier stomping grounds and then returning all the way across Canada.

Brian, Cole and I had quite an adventure.

Tons of family, long hikes through the woods, extensive beach combing, two or three beers (Sleeman's Honey Brown with a big chunk of lime has been this summer's fave, though in general I tend to be a loyal fan of Phillips IPA), and there was a lot singing, cutting up and rolling-in-the-grass laughter. My family - blood, in-laws and extended - is an unmitigated hoot and I am blessed to be surrounded by so much love.

As I've mentioned in previous posts, I don't drive much in my everyday life, so it's great to get out on the road a bit. I'm already plotting doing the same (or similar) cross-continent journey by bicycle; that would truly fulfill a life-long dream.

Also, many of you know that I am a voracious reader. Well, when I go on road trips I enjoy listening to books, mainly novels. Heard several on this trip and of them all, I highly recommend Life of Pi, by Yann Martel. Also, the favourite I read (in the traditional print-on-paper sense - and not while driving!) was Joseph Boyden's second novel, Through Black Spruce (I'm also a huge fan of his first novel, Three Day Road , having devoured it in one stretch the week it was released in hardcover).

Have a good one.

As a long-time advocate for (and participant in) walking and biking as a real means of getting around, no matter where one lives, I enjoyed reading PEDALING REVOLUTION by Jeff Mapes (here's a NYT review).

I feel quite fortunate that I live in, arguably, the best "active transportation" city/region in North America. I love seeing so many people here use their bodies to get around, run errands, go to and from work and school, and so forth.

Integrated with great public transportation, this is the future, unfolding right now.

I just read an intriguing article in this morning's online version of the New York Times --  discussing a video and program that's going out to schools (with great success) about the destructive cycle of North America's cultural addiction to over-consumption.

The program was created (and the video hosted) by Annie Leonard, who does a wonderful job.

So, watch the video, The Story of Stuff. Simple animation and a powerful message, reaching the generation that will have to clean up the mess their parents' generation was duped into causing.

And, on another page of the same site, a follow-up of simple suggestions: Another Way