writing

Hemingway’s villa in Cuba – Finca Vigía

January 3, 2011

Hemingway’s villa in Cuba – Finca Vigía

This is the Cuban villa where Hemingway lived from 1939-1960 and wrote many of his best known novels. It sits high in the town of San Francisco de Paula about half an hour outside Havana, and from the patio you can actually see Havana in the distance, hence the name Finca Vigía or “Lookout Farm.” The villa was discovered by Hemingway’s wife at the time, Martha Gelhorn, who was seeking somewhere spacious for the two of them to live.

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Once Upon A School – Dave Eggers and his Pirate Supply Store/Tutoring Centre

January 24, 2010

Once Upon A School – Dave Eggers and his Pirate Supply Store/Tutoring Centre

Most people have probably seen this video, but it’s worth watching again. Dave Eggers won the 2008 TED Prize for his education and literacy work with kids, and in this entertaining acceptance speech he provides a brief history of his project.

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“Put down those pens, authors! Put down those brushes, artists! Why not go into the service industry? Or banking?”

April 20, 2009

Apologies to non-Canadian readers, but I need to address our national broadcaster. Dear CBC, Canadians need much more Seán Cullen on CBC radio, and much less Stuart McLean. Why do we have to wait until summer to listen to Simply Seán on the radio?

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