Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!

I want to wish a happy holiday and Merry Christmas to all the book enthusiasts who enjoyed "Travels in a Blue Chair" over the last year!

One of the great things about promoting the book is all the wonderful people whom I meet during the course of the many events I attend.

Additionally, many of my good friends come out to assist and support me throughout the year!

So, to all the new people I have met and your families, as well as to all my friends and family...

"Merry Christmas" !!

Book Review from Abilities Magazine

I have been contacted by Jennifer from Abilities Magazine, which is the leading magazine in Canada for disabled people.

Jennifer is interested in doing a book review of "Travels in a Blue Chair", and I am really hoping that they follow through.

She just wanted to know that the book was widely available in the country and I pointed out that the book is available to order in all the book stores and is available online at Amazon, iUniverse, or via my own website at ...

www.bluechairbook.com

or from any other online retailer.

Please check out the Abilities Magazine website at...

www.abilities.ca

Thanks Jennifer, glad you found out about the book, I know your readers will enjoy learning about it and reading it!

Book Reading - Toronto Public Library Jan 12

I have been confirmed to do a book reading on Jan 12 next year to a book group in the Long Branch Public Library, in Toronto's west end.

I am really looking forward to this opportunity to meet a new group of book enthusiasts.

This should get the new year off to a great start!!

Thanks to all for the invite.

Long Branch Public Library, book group 2010

It was a great afternoon on Sunday, down at Tatsu's Bread here on the lake shore in the west end of Toronto! I met so many new friends and they all asked about "Travels in a Blue Chair", and many asked me to sign a copy of the book for them.

Also, many thanks to Tatsu, the baker and owner of the bakery, who was so welcoming. Tatsu introduced me to this wife and little daughters and all the staff kept me supplied with great coffee all afternoon long. One of Tatsu's daughters is named, Kaete, which is Japanese for "maple leaf" ! Isn't that a wonderful name?

One of the people who came in to meet me and discuss the book, was Dorota, from the Long Branch Public Library, near the border with Mississauga. Dorota had learned about my book via the posters some of my friends had put up around the neighbourhood. She asked me to sign a copy and invited me to a book discussion group she hosts at her library branch!! We are aiming for early next year.

Many thanks to all my friends who came out to talk to me that day as well as Cy and Isabelle, who worked on the posters. You guys are the best !!

Book signing on Saturday.

Don't forget to stop by Tatsu's Bread on Saturday from 1-4 pm, just one block west of Kipling on Lakeshore Blvd W in Toronto. 

I have already received lots of great feedback from people interested in coming out to have a book signed. 

See you there!

Tatsu's Bread - book signing Sat. Nov 28 1-4pm !!

Great news.  The bunch at Tatsu's Bread are going to host a book signing for "Travels in a Blue Chair", the following Saturday afternoon, the 28th from 1-4 pm.

Tatsu's is one of the best bakeries in the west end, and are famous for their artisan breads, baked with organic ingredients.  Here is their website...

www.tatsusbread.com

3180 Lake Shore Blvd W. (north side, one block west of Kipling)

Tatsu's are very well known and loved in South Etobicoke, so please come out to Tatsu's for all your holiday baked goodies!  I am a frequent customer of their great coffee and delicious pastries.

I am really looking forward to seeing lots of friends come out in a little over a week!

The positive energy rolls on...

A great Christmas gift book idea !

Don't forget to remember "Travels in a Blue Chair", as a great gift idea for all the readers on your holiday shopping list.

It is a series of over 55 funny, short stories. The reader can read a story or two before bed and then put it away until next time.

The book is light reading and is widely available on Amazon, or other online retailers. At bookshops, you can order "Travels in a Blue Chair" and it will arrive in short order!

That's one less gift you have to worry about for that hard to buy person on your list!

Disability Studies programs

I have started to email faculty members of universities which offer degree programs in Disability Studies.

So far, I have sent out about 17 messages, as a test. I am quite surprised to have received quite a bit of positive feedback with many of the professors thanking me for letting them know about the book and promising to follow up.

I will continue sending out these messages over the next few weeks to help spread the word.

Let's get all the students out there reading "Travels in a Blue Chair"!!

13 Questions - OUCH ! BBC website for disabled

I have contacted the BBC in England about possibly being interviewed on their great website for the disabled called "OUCH!".

Here is a link to the site,

http://www.bbc.co.uk/ouch/

One of their great sections is called "13 Questions", which as you might guess, is a web text interview with a disabled personality.

Earlier I did a similar interview with the CBC website, and it really motivated a lot of disabled people to at least think about travelling, where they may not have tried before.

I am hoping to hear back from OUCH! soon.

John Derringer Q-107 radio interview up now on YouTube !

Thanks to my buddy Brad, who is a technical whiz, my latest radio interview, with morning personality, John Derringer, is now available for you to hear on YouTube!

Here is the link to the audio file...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UpgPF1gvJoI

Many thanks to the morning gang at the Q !!  I hope this helps spread the word!

Boston Book Expo

I have been invited to participate in the Boston Book Expo, early next year, by my publisher, iUniverse.

I have been told that this is an important expo for libraries looking for new additions to their collections, with the new budgets for the upcoming year.

I am not sure whether I will ultimately be able to participate, but just to be invited is a great thing.

On the air this morning !

The radio interview on John Derringer's show has just aired, and by the looks of things it has had a great impact!

Hits to my website have jumped dramatically and it is apparent that many people a quite interested in "Travels in a Blue Chair".

If you would like to listen just click the link below and in the audio box, look for the "interview with Walt Balenovich"...

http://www.q107.com/DJsandShows/DerringerInTheMorning/Home.aspx

Thanks again to John, Ryan and all the gang at Q-107 !!

Q-107 Interview airs this Thursday at 7am !

I received some great news from Ryan at Q-107.  The interview recorded one month ago will be aired on Thursday at 7 am.

It was  a 6 minute interview and went quite well, here is the link...

http://www.q107.com/index.aspx

You can listen over the internet too, that would be 12 pm in Ireland and the UK, and 1 pm in Europe.

I hope it reaches out to disabled and travellers alike!

910.4 BALEN - the library code to use !

If you are looking for "Travels in a Blue Chair" in your local library, the code to use in your search is "910.4 BALEN".

I am really gratified to see that the book is now in the library at Ryerson University, for their degree program in Disability Studies!

It is also available at the Toronto and Vancouver public libraries, as well as those in Welland, Dunnville, and even 2 libraries in Washington State!

There is also a request to add it to the collection to the state library of Tasmania in Australia.

Yay, the positive energy continues to flow!

Q-107 John Derringer - not aired after one month

I am attempting to find out what is happening with the airing of my interview with John Derringer last month at this time.  It was a great 6 minute interview, but it has not aired yet?

I am hoping it will air shortly.

It is very important to me to know the schedule in advance to let the disabled listeners be aware of it ahead of time.

I hope to contact John and Ryan next week to get this great interview on the airwaves!

Richard Branson - Virgin Atlantic Airways

I got a brainstorm this week to contact Richard Branson, the owner of the "Virgin" brand, and specifically "Virgin Atlantic Airways".  As a result, I left a message to him on his website.

I know that he is a lover of adventure and I thought it might be a good idea to tell him about myself and "Travels in a Blue Chair".   

Additionally, I wanted to enquire to see if he would be interested in sponsoring a year of worldwide travel via his airline.

I am hoping to use this trip to create a documentary, in conjunction with the "Virgin Earth Challenge", to show that the disabled can travel the world independently and enjoy the planet and the many cultures on it!

It could really motivate other disabled people to travel too!

It is early days yet, and I haven't heard back....but I am hoping that I will.  

Q-107 No word on when the interview will air.

I contacted Ryan last week to ask to be notified ahead of time as to when the interview will air.  I still have not received word.

Hopefully it will be this week or next.  Stay tuned!

My talk in Dunnville

I really enjoyed my talk in Dunnville yesterday.  Everyone there was so hospitable, and Joyce had even set up some coffee and treats on a back table.

The crowd was very receptive and I even remembered to set my cell phone to beep 15 minutes before the hour was up, so that I would leave time for questions.  Many of those in attendance introduced themselves to me beforehand and already had questions or told me about their recent travel adventures!  It was so great.

The talk went quite well and when it was question time, one fellow, a library user, had already checked out "Travels in a Blue Chair" and told us how much he enjoyed it.  He had even written down some of his favourite passages and surprised me with a present - two beers! - because he said I was usually enjoying one in most of my stories.  What a neat thing to happen.

I signed many copies of the book and then talked for an hour afterwards to many of the patrons. 

Thanks so much for the invitation and the great time in Dunnville!

Interview recorded !

Yesterday morning I was interviewed on the phone by John Derringer, the morning man on Q-107!

The interview went quite well and lasted about 6 minutes.  John had lots of very good questions and, though I was a bit nervous, I tried to answer as smoothly as possible.

They will air the interview sometime next week, and they will let me know in advance so that I can let folks know ahead of time.

Q-107 has streaming audio online, so you can hear the interview via the internet wherever in the world you happen to be.

I look forward to receiving some feedback next week. Thanks to Ryan and John at Q-107 !

Dunnville Chronicle Article

Here is the text of an article published last week in the Dunnville Chronicle in advance of my visit to the library there this Sunday...

By CATHY PELLETIER , CHRONICLE STAFF WRITER 

"One of the things that interested me most when I was a disabled kid sitting in front of the TV was nature programming," reads an excerpt from Travels in a Blue Chair, a book written by world traveller, Walt Balenovich.

"It was the thrill of a lifetime when in 1993 on a visit to Kenya, my friend Wayne suggested we fly out to the Masai Mara, Kenya's portion of the Serengeti, for two days camping. I didn't know if I could do it, but if he was willing to take me, then I was definitely going to give it a try.

"I could never have imagined the wondrous beauty of this continent and I looked down," he said, describing the view from the plane, "wondering which animals were playing their daily game of life and death. The Africa of open fields and animal migration is slowly fading into history, as fences are erected and forests are brought down to clear for planting. This is exactly what happened in North America and ultimately led to the end of the buffalo and the First Nations' way of life."

In addition to vivid accounts of Masai warrior traditions and monstrous Nile perch weighing 175 pounds, the Kenya chapter describes spectacular sightings of cheetahs, hyenas, hippos, giraffes, zebras, rhinos, and lions, seen from a Land Rover during safaris.

"After two days out of my blue chair and in the front seat of this bumpy ride, my sore bum was starting to get the better of me," wrote Balenovich.

"We began to make our way back to camp and as we did, another herd of antelope seemed to gather to bid us farewell."

Diagnosed with polio at just 12 weeks old, he spent the first five years of his life in hospital. Originally from Welland, Balenovich became a self-described "I. T. geek," earning the necessary funds to travel the globe in trips spanning six months to a year.

His journey around the world began as a bench-warming athlete and coach in wheelchair basketball, rugby and sledge hockey, as well as in his capacity as a volunteer in disabled sports, as Athletic Director of the Niagara District Wheelchair Association and Vice President of the Development for the Ontario Wheelchair Sports Association.

Balenovich currently lives in the Lakeshore Village community of Toronto, and can often be spotted wheeling a 10-kilometre route through the lakeshore streets in an effort to stay fit for his trips.

He has spent significant parts of the past 15 years navigating the world, and sending humourous e-mails to friends and family about his unique adventures, from being stranded in a small boat in the dark on the Java Sea off Indonesia to falling out of his chair and breaking his leg in Victoria Falls in Zambia. Their reaction was invariably the same: "You should write a book."

Peppered with liberal doses of humour, Balenovich's tales chronicle the distinctive challenge of seeing the world from a wheelchair.

An excerpt written in November 1977 from Tokyo, reads: "As I was anticipating my date with the white throne ... I attended the washroom, which luckily has an oversized stall for the disabled. As I left the stall, I was surprised to see an elderly woman with what seemed like a handmade broom, sweeping out the men's room. She worked diligently and took no notice of me, but what really surprised me were the men at the urinals, going about their business, and taking no notice of her. My notions of the staid Japanese were immediately challenged and I realized that Asia was going to be a totally unique experience for me."

Balenovich has made numerous media appearances, including guest segments on Canada AM and Breakfast TV, sharing his adventures about backpacking --usually unaccompanied --on all six habitable continents.

The well-known author will share more exciting excerpts from his book at the Dunnville Public Library on Sunday, Sept. 20 at 2 p. m.

"I have been contacted by Joyce, the Coordinator of the Dunnville Branch of the Haldimand-Norfolk Library, about speaking there in September," he said. "Apparently, some library patrons from the community had heard me speaking last month at the Hagersville Abilities Centre and really enjoyed listening to some of my adventures. Dunnville is one of my favourite towns in Ontario, and it would be great to meet some of the disabled community along the Grand River." 

Q-107 interview - next Wednesday the 16th !!

Just got word from Ryan over at Q-107 that next Wednesday, Sept 16th is when I will go it and record the interview!

Not sure when it will air, hopefully just after that, possibly next Thursday or Friday?

I will find out and post the news here!!  Great positive energy!

The Rotarian - Polio - Stratford Rotary presentation.

I was happy to be able to speak at the Stratford Rotary Club this afternoon.  It has been a long time in the planning, but it finally happened.

The group was so welcoming and I was finally able to meet Ying, Elizabeth and Bruce.  In addition Alex and Gerry were also very accommodating.

The reaction to my presentation was very positive and tremendously enthusiastic!

I made my royalty presentation for Polio Eradication to Gerry, the treasurer, which he will submit to head office and Alex told me they would submit an article to "The Rotarian",  about my book "Travels in a Blue Chair".

I was able to answer questions and sign some books too!

Thank you to everyone at Stratford Rotary for making me so welcome!  You do great work!

Speaking Engagements - Disability

September will be a busy month with two speaking engagements on tap.

Early in the month I will be speaking to the Stratford Rotary club about my travels and how a portion of royalties from "Travels in a Blue Chair" are donated to Rotary International's program to eradicated polio in the third world.

Later in September, I will be speaking at the Dunnville public library about the book, and the capabilities of the disabled.

I am really looking forward to meeting some great new people and exchanging some stories!

I hope to see you there!

Disability Badge - Cub Scouts

My friend Paul has two sons who are very active in the scouting movement.  Also, Paul himself is a leader, and has asked me to speak about my book and some of my experiences, so that the group can help earn their badge for disability.

I think it is great that they have a disability badge these days!

Paul was concerned that since the cubs meet down some stairs, in a church hall, that they would have to find a new location.

I mentioned that I thought we should meet in the usual location and he could help me down the stairs, as he usually does.  

It will help open up the kids eyes a bit and hopefully give them a peek into my world.  I know this will be a positive experience for all of us, together!

 

My next book - Fishing in a Blue Chair (not)

Almost every time I meet someone who has read "Travels in a Blue Chair", the question that is asked the most is "when will you write another book?"

Well, maybe it will be a fishing book!?  

My latest adventure was heading up to some friends' cottage over the long weekend.  I caught a muskie!  That is the second time I have fished for them, and I have been lucky enough to catch one on both occasions.

Check out the teeth on that fish!  It was released back into the lake.

It was a lot of fun but I think I'll stick to land and life in my Blue Chair :)

Stratford Rotary meeting confirmed

I am happy that all is set for my talk at the Stratford Rotary club in Stratford Ontario on September 10th.

I will be speaking after lunch for about 20 minutes with a short question and answer session, after that.

Please check out the club's blog...

http://http://festivalcityrotary.blogspot.com/

I am looking forward to meeting many of Kevin McCann's Rotarian friends!

Note from a fellow traveller and a call from Paris!

On the weekend I received a wonderful e-mail from a woman named Carolyn, who loved "Travels in a Blue Chair". 

Carolyn, has wandered about the world on her own and has been all the way to Poland to visit the house where her father was born.  It was so nice to hear from another kindred spirit.  Way to go Carolyn!

Also on the weekend, The doctor from Paris phoned me up just to chat and ask where my next trip was going to be.  Dr. Jean also updated me on many of his patients, and the fact that he always shows them my website and blog to try and inspire them to get out and travel, while having a positive self image.

So nice to receive great feedback from all over the world! 

ekoVenture Guru webpage complete!

ekoVenture has finished creating my "Guru" page.  So here is the link;

http://http://www.ekoventure.com/users/1618/profile

There is no link to my website or blog, and no one at the website has really provided any guidance on what I am supposed to do as a "Guru", but the exposure is quite welcome.

I hope that we can reach out to some other interested disabled adventurers and travellers.

ekoVenture Guru

One of the interesting things that has come out of my entering the competition to be an Antarctic blogger, is the exposure it has brought.

Ryan, from ekoVenture, has asked me to be an online travel "guru" for their new website. I checked out their site and it actually looks pretty cool.

I will be working on my profile for ekoVenture over the next little while, and will post a link when it is up and running!

The positive energy continues!

Rotary Club - Stratford meeting in mid September

I am quite looking forward to meeting the members of the Stratford Rotary Club in midSeptember at one of their regular meetings.

Originally, I was contacted early last year by member Kevin McCann, however his untimely passing justifiably delayed my speaking to the Statford club.

Elizabeth has contacted me again and we have set a date to meet the group and many of Kevin's friends and fellow Rotarians.

My first presentation, in Welland late last year, went very well and the reaction was very positive.

I am really looking forward to being in picturesque Stratford later this summer.

Blogging my way to Antarctica...Vote for me!! Quark Expeditions

A good friend of mine sent me a link to a competition, run by Quark expeditions in the U.S., to attract votes for an opportunity to blog about a trip to Antarctica!

So far I have a whopping 7 votes! Here is the link, and what follows is the text of my introduction.

http://www.blogyourwaytoantarctica.com/blogs/view/291

The last continent for the traveller in a blue wheelchair!

Hi, My name is Walt, and I am a disabled traveller! I have travelled for 20 years when time and finances have allowed.

Most of the time I have travelled alone. This isn't too unusual until you realise that I travel the world with the use of my blue wheelchair!

I have backpacked across all 6 habitable continents and through 28 countries. The only continent that I have not been to is the one at the bottom of the earth - Antarctica.

For the most part I have flown on planes, or taken trains, but never in my life have I ever been on a cruise, much less one to the home of the Emperor penguin.

I have written a book of short stories, "Travels in a Blue Chair: Alaska to Zambia, Uluru to Ushuaia", about the hilarious adventures I have had in my travels over the years in many strange and fascinating lands.

One of the enduring threads of my travels has been the kindness and hospitality of people whom I meet along the way. Sometimes they have helped me, and sometimes they have accompanied me for a short while. When you travel alone in a blue chair lots of weird things can happen, and even the reactions I get are one-of-a-kind!
I feel that as a storyteller, you will enjoy my blog about the trip to Antarctica.

My blog will be from a unique perspective - even simple things like life about the ship will be an interesting adventure.

A polar adventure we can all share together in the spirit of all the past inspirational explorers who have ventured out into the frozen unknown.

Perhaps the only thing left of me at the end of this will be a frozen blue chair? I hope not!

Q-107 Ryan Parker : Interview in August

Just an update on my previous blog item.

Ryan contacted me by phone yesterday and let me know that he was confused about my wanting to use the phone for the interview, if possible. The station apparently has a policy about guests coming in to do the interviews.

I told him that was no problem! So, we will be touching base again in early August, when both he and John Derringer are back from their respective holidays.

It will be great to be on the Q-107 morning show. I really enjoy listening to those guys, they are funny!

Q-107 Monday's interview is off.

Well, things have taken an unexpected and unpleasant turn!

Before I left for a Canada Day camping holiday we had arranged to record an interview on Monday, July 6th.

I returned to find an email from Ryan, in my box letting me know that Q-107 "will not be able to do the interview next week", and with no comment about arranging a future date.

They had asked for a book, which as readers of this blog know, is the biggest obstacle to getting interviewed, due to the lack of books when you self-publish. I have provided a bio and link to my website, where 3 stories from "Travels in a Blue Chair" could be read. Additionally, I can provide some discussion points.

I had suggested simply phoning the interview, as it would be much easier for me than to go downtown at rush hour. But that was only a suggestion.

Oh well, that is what this blog is all about! The ups and downs, highs and lows, and trials and tribulations of trying to get the word to disabled people about the book's existence.

Ryan did say they would mention my book and try to help me out. They wanted to be updated on future happenings.

Still it would be nice to know what happened and if they are still going to follow through with the interview?

I hope so. I know that John Derringer and all the morning gang and their listeners will really enjoy learning about some of my hilarious adventures!

Michael Ignatieff enjoyed "Travels in a Blue Chair"

Last night I attended the "Party in the Park" in Mimico. It was a great night to get out and enjoy the weather, meet other authors and see all the families together.

It was also a chance to sign some books and meet some people who have enjoyed "Travels in a Blue Chair", over the last few months.

Our M.P. for Etobicoke-Lakeshore, Michael Ignatieff was in attendance. He is also the Liberal Party leader, an author, and possibly the next Prime Minister of Canada?

Michael saw me and yelled over "Walt!", he then came over to shake my hand and tell me how much he enjoyed reading my book!

Apparently his copy of "Travels in a Blue Chair" is now in Stornaway, the official residence of the Leader of the Opposition.

Always great to meet up with another author!!

Party in the Park - now at John English School

Due to the garbage strike the park will be closed, so the organisers have made alternative arrangements to hold the event at John English School.

John English School is located centrally in Mimico very close to the Mimico Memorial Park. The school is bordered by George Street and Mimico Ave.

Access to back of school field is off the north end of Central Street and off Mimico Ave.

See you there tomorrow afternoon!

Tuesday, June 23rd 5-8pm @ Mimico: Party in the Park

Once again this year, I will be appearing at the Party in the Park in Mimico on Tuesday, June 23

The event was quite successful last year despite the weather being quite thundery...it will be held at Mimico Memorial Park (bordered by Hillside, Central and George Streets).

I hope to see you there and sign a copy of "Travels in a Blue Chair", just for you!!

Toronto Reference Library.

I attended the Small Press Book Fair on the weekend at the Toronto Reference Library at Yonge and Bloor. It was an interesting experience, as there really weren't that many publishers in attendance, and there were lots of craft oriented groups.

I was able to sign 3 copies of "Travels in a Blue Chair". One was for a Kiwi just as the Fair opened, then I spoke to lots of interested people over the next 6 hours and then signed another two copies just near the end of the event.

It was nice to be able to participate, and many thanks to Terry for helping me to set up early in the morning and to Sue for dropping by near the end to help me pack up.

I know that those who received their copies will enjoy the stories!

Etobicoke South blog: www.etobicokesouth.com

Many thanks to Leigh who writes the Etobicoke South blog about all things in Toronto's great west end!

Leigh has graciously included "Travels in a Blue Chair" on her site. Here is a link to the item...

http://www.etobicokesouth.com/2009/06/author-of-travels-in-blue-chair-talks.html

If you live in the west end or are coming up to Toronto in the near future, please bookmark her great site , for all the info you need on where to eat and what to do...

Many thanks and hopefully we will meet up later this month at the Mimico event!

June book signings - one this Saturday!

I have lived along the lake shore here in S. Etobicoke for the better part of the last 25 years.

One of the greatest pleasures I am lucky enough to enjoy is the Col. Sam Smith Park, just below the Humber College's Lake Shore Campus at the foot of Kipling Avenue.

Each time I wheel through the many different natural settings, I am reminded of some of the spectacular wild settings I have backpacked all over the world. There may not be any zebras, penguins, or koalas in New Toronto, but a glimpse of the beavers, mink, coyotes, swallows or night herons resident in the wetland makes me realise that I do not always need to go half way around the world to enjoy the same thrills that tourists to our town have on offer right here.

I will be signing books at two local events this month, starting this Saturday morning...

Saturday, June 13 9am-5pm
at the Toronto Reference Library's Small Press Group Book Fair
789 Yonge St, Toronto

and,

Tuesday, June 23 5.30-8:30pm
Mimico's Party in the Park,
Mimico Memorial Park (bordered by Hillside, Central and George Streets)

I look forward to meeting you there!

Odds and sods...

I haven't heard back from John Derringer at Q-107, so not sure why he contacted me in the first place? It is a puzzle.

Also having a hard time connecting with EtobiGO for the Q and A that they had mentioned doing thru our NING web-ring for people living here in the west end of Toronto.

I have finally lined up some assistance for the Toronto Small Press Group Book Fair on Sat. June 13th 9am-5pm. My buddy Terry is going to help me get the books from my car to the table and then my friend Sue wants to stop by and bring me some lunch!! Yay. Really looking forward to the event.

Also some other events are coming together for later in the summer, but I don't want to let the cat out of the bag just yet. The weather here is shaping up to be another cool summer, so let's hope it heats up shortly!

John Derringer - Q-107 has made contact !

I received a nice email from John Derringer, the morning man at Q-107 radio, this week! John said he felt awful about missing my emails and asked me to contact him.

He said that the station employs people to review incoming emails and that it probably got overlooked. John had found his way to this blog, via a travel website.

I replied to John on Monday, so hopefully there will soon be some good news! So far, nothing yet, but here's hoping!

The positive energy continues to flow....

EtobiGO online magazine

I live in the west end of Toronto, in the former borough of Etobicoke. Recently, a new online magazine catering to those of us who live here called "EtobiGO" has started up.

I have sent the folks there my promotional blurb and am hoping to hear back from them about putting in an article on Travels in a Blue Chair.

Here is the website....

http://etobigo.ca/

Let's hope they are interested!

5,000 views!

Wow, the power of the internet never ceases to amaze me! I have surpassed 5,000 views of my various interviews on YouTube!

You can click on the videos on the lower right of this blog.

The internet is a great way to reach out to show the abilities of the disabled to the world of interested travellers.

Hopefully I can put a few more up later this year!

Quiet before the storm.

I have been a bit dormant, but still working in the background on promoting the book. I am really looking forward to next month's two events and will have more on them in the coming weeks.

For now, I have some new ideas including trying to do a book reading, which is something I have yet to do.

More to come....

Toronto Small Press Group Book Fair - June 13

I just received the poster for the Toronto Small Press Group's upcoming book fair on Saturday the 13th of June, at the Toronto Reference Library, which is located downtown.

It looks like there will be lots of authors in attendance! I have never attended such a big event and I am hoping to meet lots of new people and maybe even make some contacts and do some networking!

I hope to see you there!

St. Lawrence Market

One of the ideas that I have been toying with now that the nice weather is here, is to head down to the St. Lawrence Market on a busy Sunday to see if I can sign some books.

I have an inventory of books on hand and need to keep some available until June for the two signing that I already have scheduled. But, if there are still some left, I think it will be fun to see the reaction of people just shopping or strolling on a nice day, happening upon myself and my book!

I will try to shoot for July or August and see what happens??!!

Dunnville Library, Sunday Sept 20 at 2 pm.

I received confirmation from Joyce of the Dunnville Public Library, that I will be speaking about my adventures and experience in "Travels in a Blue Chair", on Sunday, September 20th at 2 pm.

I am really looking forward to speaking again in the area, and I really hope that we can get a great crowd out to the event.

Only 5 months to go!

Thanks to all for the wonderful invite!

Q107 Radio - John Derringer

Each morning I listen to a great classic rock radio station here in Toronto, called Q107. The morning host, John Derringer, recently interviewed a man who has travelled quite a bit, and also written a book.

A few months ago, I wrote an email to John, introducing myself to him and providing some background info on Travels in a Blue Chair. Unfortunately, I didn't hear back.

This weekend I wrote back again, and asked to be interviewed. I hope that John reads my email and gets in touch. I would be fun to relate my adventures and let the listeners find out more!

Out at the park...for cleanup day!

If anyone is out at Col. Sam Smith park and wants to pick up a signed copy of Travels in a Blue Chair, this Sunday, just show up and let me know!

I was helping out last year at this time and many people wanted some copies, but I had not brought any with me.

I won't make that mistake again! The park is at the foot of Kipling Avenue, south of Lakeshore Boulevard. Oh, and garbage bags are provided for all who want to help spruce up the park.

The weather is meant to be gorgeous, so help out Mother Earth!!

Dunnville Library

I have been contacted by Joyce, the co-ordinator of the Dunnville branch of the Haldimand-Norfolk library, about possibly speaking there in September.

Apparently, some library patrons from the community had heard me speaking last month at the Hagersville Abilities Centre, and really enjoyed listening about some of my adventures. YAY!

I really hope that I am able to appear in late summer, as Dunnville is one of my favourite towns in Ontario, and it would be great to meet some of the disabled community along the Grand River!

Spring Book Fair 2009

I was surfing the web this weekend, when I happened upon a book fair here in downtown Toronto, scheduled for the middle of June.

I decided to write in and see if I could book a half table? It seems there was space left, so I will be able to attend this event, which is hosted by the Toronto Small Press Group.

I am really looking forward to seeing all the book lovers out at the Toronto Reference Library on Yonge St. on June 13th. I'll meet you there!

Enabled Traveler

I have been contacted by Jonathan at the website Enabled Traveler. Jon wonders if I would answer a few questions for his new venture promoting travel for the disabled.

In the next week or so, I will be answering 5-10 questions. So, stay tuned and I will put up the link once the interview is complete!

Looking forward to it and always nice to meet up with another kindred spirit !

Haldimand Abilities Centre speech and signing

Last month I had the great pleasure to visit Hagersville, Ontario and speak at the new Haldimand Abilities Centre. The centre is a cooperative effort among three groups, the Canadian Institute for the Blind, the Brain Injury Association and the Alzheimer's Society.

The group invited me to sign some copies of "Travels in a Blue Chair" and to speak about some of my adventures and reactions to my travels. I arrived and was greeted by a wonderful group preparing the hall and most importantly, they found me a nice cup of coffee!

As people drifted in for lunch, I had many great conversations with all the attendees and I always asked whether they were travellers or not? If they weren't, I urged them to try out some travelling and if they were, I compared destinations!

After lunch it was time for my speech, scheduled for 1 hour. I always worry that I won't fill up the time or that I will be a huge bore. There was no clock on the wall and as a result, I lost all track of time. I ended up speaking for 1 3/4 hours! In the end, I had to conclude as some people had to meet their wheelchair transit vans home.

Everyone was so interested and I felt really bad that I had spoken for so long, but happily the audience assured me that they had enjoyed my talk. I was really unhappy that I had not left time for questions and answers.

Next time, I will.

Many thanks to all the great folks in Haldimand-Norfolk and to Janice, Katherine, Kit, Erica and everyone else at the Abilities Centre for making me feel so welcome!

I look forward to returning again in the near future.

Rotary on Twitter - no word from Rotary website

As I prepare to make my second royalty donation to the Rotary International polio eradication fund, I still have not even been contacted by Rotary's website about being included in an article to Rotarians informing them of my efforts.

I was told by the person running the Twitter account that I would be contacted, but as of yet this has not happened.

I hope that eventually we can get the word out to all the great Rotarians, with whom I have joined in trying to eliminate this disease in the four remaining countries in which the affliction is still active.

Dreamers

As you will recall from my recent trip to Chile, I met a great young Polish backpacker, who takes wonderful photographs.

I was very lucky to be included in his blog, under the category "Dreamers" ... that about sums it up ;-)

http://www.mywayaround.com/category/projects/dreamers/

Thanks Szymon! I hope we never stop dreaming!

Spina Bifida conference.

I have been contacted by Irene, of the S. Florida Spina Bifida Association, to ask if I would be available to participate in their upcoming conference.

Unfortunately, due to my commitments at home, I will be unable to attend, though it would be great to reach out and meet some other active disabled members of the community.

I am really gratified to receive the invitation and humbled by it too! I know that all who attend will have a great time and exchange lots of new and exciting ideas.

I hope that travel is one of them!

Party in the Park - June 23rd in Mimico

Again this year I have been invited to participate in Mimico's Party in the Park event for authors. I attended last year, when it was held in August. The event was marred with a huge rainstorm and most of us were holed up under tents, as the weather kept down the attendance.

Despite the clouds and rain, I still managed to sign quite a few books and I am really looking forward to returning again just before summer vacation! Many thanks to Sandy and the organizing committee for all their hard work on this event.

Let's hope the sun co-operates with us this year!!

Live Chat on "The Moose" 92.9 Radio, Thu Mar 19, 7.30am

I have been contacted by Janice of the Brain Injury Services in Hamilton, to find out if I would like to appear on a live chat show during drive time, next Thursday morning?

Of course the answer is YES. So, if you are in the Steel City area, why not tune into the John Hardy show at 92.9FM, The Moose, and listen in at 7.30am?

I am sure you will learn lots more about the book and many of my fun and wacky adventures around the world!

A chip off the old wheelchair !!

I was really happy to see on FaceBook this weekend, a picture of an FB friend of mine, Nafi, from New Zealand. Nafi is relatively recent to being in a chair, but he is determined to get out and see the world.

On his profile has been uploaded some pics from a current trip to Thailand, including one of Nafi riding atop an elephant!

Great positive waves coming here for me, and hopefully "Travels in a Blue Chair", helped give you a bit of positive energy too!

Rotary club website

I have been on Twitter (I am "bluechair", if you want to follow me) tweeting back and forth with "Rotary", the moniker for Rotary International's website.

I have asked whether they would be interested in putting some info up on their website about "Travels in a Blue Chair", as a portion of the royalties are sent to Rotary for their Polio Eradication Fund.

So far, they have not been able to receive my email....but hopefully they will tonight!

It would be great exposure to let Rotarians world wide know the capabilities of those who have had polio and are trying to do something about it.

Let's hope the message gets through to the other side tonight!

Audacity Magazine article.

Natasha at Audacity online magazine has asked me to write another article. This time she is interested in my recent trip to Chile.

Although I really wasn't backpacking this time, I should have enough material for an interesting update that all the readers will enjoy.

I'll post a link when I have submitted the info and it is up on the 'net!

Haldimand Abilities Centre.

Just as a way of tying up loose ends, Katherine contacted me and let me know my talk in late March will be held at the Haldimand Abilities Centre, in Hagersville.

Also, that it turns out that Lt. Gov. David Onley will not be able to drop by. But on the bright side, that puts less pressure on yours truly.

Looking forward to meeting Katherine and all the gang in about a month's time!

...and back at the Japanese coffee shop...

When my buddy Terry picked me up at the airport early Sunday morning, I was totally knackered, but I suggested we stop by my favourite Japanese coffee shop only a few blocks from my flat. On the weekends, some students from Humber College form an ensemble to perform some light music.

Whilst there, we bumped into Barb, a local artist and book enthusiast, who was very interested in "Travels in a Blue Chair"! Barb also has lots of contacts with in the Toronto Public Library system and promised to investigate why those books on order have never showed up. Actually, I later checked, and it seems they may have arrived! Yay!

Barb is hoping to have me out to do a reading for her book group in the near future. In addition, I am hoping to also do a reading at the bakery!

You just never know whom you'll meet after returning home from Chile!

Now Terry and I are preparing for our first live drum debut at the local Thai restaurant on Friday night. That should be good for a chuckle.

Szymon - a kindred spirit, and photographer !

One of the first people I met in S. America on my trip, was Szymon Kochanski, a fellow backpacker, but also a great photographer who documents his travels and observations with a camera. He has worked in Turkey and much of Europe as well as visiting Iran and many other out of the way destinations.

Szymon invited me to share his pasta, but then spent most of the week in bed battling a bug. Happily, he has recovered completely and is now making his way to the southern part of Chile, to see the mountains of Pucon, which I was fortunate to see and write about four years ago.

Here is a link to his travel blog. Most of the text is in Polish, but pictures are universal.

http://www.mywayaround.com/

Please bookmark Szymon's blog and follow him as he travels the world! As the banner on the blog states, “if you don’t know where you’re going, any road will take you there”.

Two continents, one Sun but many friends and smiles!

My second week in Chile was a bit more eventful than the first. As usual backpackers come and go through the highway of your life but there is a chance now to keep in contact via the internet, which was not the case when I began all these adventures some 21 years ago!

The cast of characters (friends) at the hostel, welcomed me into their transient family. Dave, Knute, Martin (aka Terry when I have had too much wine), Monty, Paddy, Julie, Enzo, Gonzalo, Susi, Tania and too many more to mention.

Most mornings were spent out on the Barrio as I explored the city and all its urban challenges along the the varied, cobbled streets. A coffee here, a broken sentence in Spanish there, a ramp to a supermarket that was kept chained shut, the helpful ladies in the bakery who always fussed over me, the dogs who barked and chased me, and always lots of smiles!

Afternoons were a time for siesta, and early evenings were spent around the pool and dinner tables or BBQs discussing our respective adventures! I have realised that these young backpackers are full of the idealistic goodness this world could do with a lot more of.

Late evenings were spent with Escudo, Chilean wines or Pisco under the constellation Orion.

I met Nikki, a very pretty English girl, who invited me to join her on a quest to visit the home of the famous Chilean poet, Pablo Neruda. Armed with a hand drawn map and Nikki's graduation from Spanish classes, we ventured forth, into the unknown.

The Metro was supposedly w/c friendly, and it was at first, but our destination station had a broken lift. Nikki used her Spanish to inform some shop staff and they duly summoned two subway employees. We giggled incessantly. As you will remember a similar situation in Tokyo from the first story in my book, the men drafted two commuters to assist and they duly lifted me out of the tunnel. We had arrived in Bella Vista!

I wheeled quite a bit under the 35C Chilean sun, but once we hit the hills and curbs, Nikki helped me up like a trooper. In the end, the last street was quite steep, but she got me there, and promptly started to faint! I gave her the last of my water and she fanned herself with a small receipt, whilst watching a stray cat attempt to unsuccessfully ambush a pigeon.

That was the good news, the bad news was that it was Monday and the house was closed. Naruda had foiled us from his grave, but we enjoyed the outside edifice and semi-amphitheater just the same.

Many thanks to Nikki for helping me to experience some literary culture on the trip, and for exposing me to the most wonderful frock in a shop window, adorned with the picture of a house! Typically Chilean.

I am home now and the Chilean sun has withdrawn from the horizon and been reborn into a Canadian star. It is the same sun we all see and it reminds us all that we are all on this planet together. We are not here to take advantage of each other, but to learn from one another and to help each other in our journeys through both the world, and life!

Viva!

Meanwhile in Santiago...

I can't say as I have done much on my first week here at Casa Roja backpackers. Firstly, Delta bent the frame of my chair slightly and then I arrived and found my ride didn't show up. No matter, I hopped on a van and went to my first hostel right on the main square, Plaza de Armas.

The hostel really had no character, but did have a friendly washroom, however the doors to the rooms had no locks and the place was quite noisy.

Next day, I wheeled the 11 blocks, with all my stuff and my wonky chair, to Barrio Brasil, to the west. And now I am here at Casa Roja.

I have been chilling out, getting out each morning for a wheel around the square, before it gets too hot, and meeting new friends here, many of whom are young backpackers out of money, working here to get free beds. Two, Justin and Rob, from Ireland left just last night, and they were so kind in letting me enjoy their homemade concoctions, as Rob is a chef! Salmon croquets on the BBQ, curries, and curried soups. We had far too much homemade Pisco Sour, but it was great.

Last evening we headed to Platypus, the bar next door for a great meal, most of mine Rob ate, but that is only fair!! Actually he raved about the raspberry rissoto.

Anyway, another week to go? Will I get to the coast or Mendoza, or just chill out here and relax in the 33C weather? Who knows?

Stay tuned.

Heading out on a new adventure!

This blog will be on hiatus for a while...tho' I may be able to update it from the road.

Tomorrow I am off to South America for a few weeks. I will meet up with some old friends and relax in the sunshine. I am not sure how much real backpacking I will be doing, but I am hoping to do a drive across the Andes, if possible.

At the very least, I will provide an update when I return! Let the adventure begin!

A kindred spirit on YouTube

Yesterday I was watching some old music videos on YouTube and I received a message through my inbox. It was a fellow from the old country with my last name. Pavle (LIKILACA on Y.T.), is a nature enthusiast who happens to own a wolf, or at least take care of one.

Pavle has begun to put up footage of his years of videos and has even made a documentary with the BBC. Anyway, he was attracted to my channel on YouTube, due to my last name and all my travels over the years.

It is always great to meet up with another adventurer via the internet! I hope someday we will have a chance to meet, and compare our adventures!

Rotary Club

I have contacted Elizabeth at the Stratford Rotary Club to try and re-arrange a presentation out there in the summertime.

Sadly, this event had to be postponed due to the untimely passing away of Kevin, the key organiser of my appearance, which was scheduled for late last year.

I am hoping to make it out to meet all the great folks, who do such wonderful work for both Rotary and Polio eradication.

Elizabeth has responded and said my timing was perfect as they were booking into July/August and September!!

At the library .. (now updated!)

I just got back from the library, which is just across the street from where I live. I wanted to ask at the desk about the reason why my books, which has been on order since April (!!), have not arrived yet?

Since it is a small suburban branch, the lady really could not answer my query, but she did show me that there is a purchase order for the books. She also printed off a list of people whom I could contact to find out more information. That was really nice of her.

I am going to ring them up and try to find out....I will keep you updated.

Monday update: I rang the lady who runs the acquisition department, and she too thought it was too long. Janet did note they had my website listed as where to order the book, however I am not a wholesaler. Additionally, Janet mentioned that sometime last year, the library had changed computer systems, so their order may have fallen through the cracks.

Janet is going to follow up at the library end of things!! Yay!

Confirmed to speak in March !! in Hamilton

I received a confirmation note today from Katherine of the Haldimand Abilities Centre to speak at their afternoon event in late March at the Haldimand Abilities Centre in Hagersville.

Also on the docket, though not yet confirmed, is Lt. Gov. David Onley, who would precede me! Wow, that is a tough act to follow!

I am really looking forward to meet all the gang in Hamilton and to letting them know about my travels, adventures and book!!

Now to prepare something for them to listen to. Starting to get nervous already!

President Barack Obama

Well, since it is January and Michael Ignatieff already has a copy of "Travels in a Blue Chair", I have decided to find out how to get a copy of the book to him in the early days of his presidency.

Maybe that way, once they get together early in his administration, they'll have something to talk about!! The book!

I am hoping that Barack Obama will appoint a disabled American to his cabinet. He seems very minority oriented, yet I do not believe a disabled person is part of his inner circle? Why this oversight?

Let's get him motivated for the next 4 years! Barack will need something to read on those long trips aboard Air Force One!!

Where are those books anyway ??!!

I checked the website of the library again recently to see if the 5 copies on order had arrived?

No they had not! It left me wondering how long the process is? I am sure that getting a book into the library is quite a bureaucratic process, but this is ridiculous.

Anyway, I wrote a note to the company which distributes books to libraries to find out the status of the order and also, to see if they wouldn't mind recommending "Travels in a Blue Chair" to other libraries.

I haven't received a reply, but there are 4 of those books on hold by some hopeful readers. I sure hope they arrive sooner rather than later!

In the underground parking lot..

Over the weekend, I was heading out into the sub-zero early year weather, when a fellow who lives in my building stopped to let me know how much he enjoyed the book!

Ken is a real friendly guy, who lives on one of the upper floors. In fact, he helped me move my new TV set into the apartment last autumn, and his mum lives next door to Angela, my biggest advocate in the neighbourhood, just a few blocks away.

Anyway, Ken asked me to sign 2 books for him....he has finished the first ("it ended up being a washroom book", he told me...lol, "so I couldn't give it to my mum"). Hence the second copy.

Just a little vignette, but an uplifting one for me and a great way to start the year!!

Participaction !

One of the programs available here, which the government has just revived, is called Participaction !!

They have an ad running on TV, encouraging people to write in their stories about how being active has affected your life in a positive way. I will definitely be submitting a story to hopefully encourage others to get out and be active, and maybe see a bit of the world!?

Meetup.com

I have been exploring the website meetup.com as this website links people with similar interests. One of the great things I have found is that there are lots of book clubs, so it is possible to make lots of contacts with book lovers!

It is also possible to contact groups of disabled and travel lovers.

Obviously, it is likely that I will primarily be making contact locally, but the potential to reach out to the world, is enormous.

2008 year in review, Regis and Kelly next ??

The first year of blogging about the adventures of publicizing the existence of the book "Travels in a Blue Chair" has come and gone!! I can't believe it, there has been so much positive energy!

Here is a brief rundown of the web based efforts;

4 TV interviews
6 Newspaper articles
1 Radio interview
3 Speaking engagements, with one being to schoolchildren, yay!
2 Book signings (one in the rain!!)
700 Profile views on YouTube
4000+ Views of my YouTube video interviews
40000+ Hits on my website http://www.bluechairbook.com
1st contribution from royalties to the Rotary Polio Eradication Fund,
and numerous magazine and online articles and interviews!

I could never have imagined all the people, from across the world as far away as New Zealand, who have contacted me to say they have enjoyed the book.

I still have work to do, especially breaking into the USA, but I am gratified with the progress we have all made together. Maybe Regis and Kelly will get interested in my book?

So hats off to 2008 and I know that the best is yet to come in whatever awaits in 2009!!