Free Things To Do In Ottawa This Winter

free –adjective
[free]
1. provided without, or not subject to, a charge or payment

As I mentioned in an earlier post, My Own Financial Crisis, I thought I would compile a list of FREE things to do in Ottawa. It looks like this is going to be an ongoing list as I am sure there are many more free things to do in Capital City then I have listed here.

So without further ado here is some free stuff to do this winter:

1) Skate The Rideau Canal Skateway
You know where it is. It’s the longest skateway in the World right? Something like that anyway...

2) Drink A Lil’ Vino
On January 23rd from 4 pm to 7 pm you can sample some wine at the LCBO located at 275 Rideau Street *hic

3) Improve Your Speaking Skills
Tuesday January 27th, 6:30 pm to 8:30 you can attend the Ottawa Toastmasters open house. You don’t have to participate, it’s free, and hey they serve refreshments.

4) Conquer Your Clutter
Join Professional Organizer, Angela Irvine for an informative workshop on the organizing basics. I'm already a bit OCD when it comes to organizing, so I'll probably skip this one.

5) Learn About Torture
No really, torture, right here in Ottawa, and it’s free! Octopus Books presents three perspectives on torture in our time.

6) Flip Through Some Photos
What's Right With This Picture, is a cross-country photo exhibit to help launch International Development Week. It’s free and they will give you refreshments and snacks, woo-hoo!

7) Get 420’d
Join Marc-Boris St-Maurice, Executive Director of NORML Canada (National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws) and Octopus Books for the National Resolution for the Legalization of Marijuana. It’s free, and you know they are going to have to have snacks, so get there early.

8) Adopt A Puppy
Looks like my semi-impulsive plan to get a dog just might come to fruition. Canadian Guide Dogs for the Blind needs some help from the public. It seems they have a whole bunch of new puppies on their hands and don’t know what to do with them. They are seeking foster families for the future guide dogs. There are a couple of stipulations:
- you must be home most of the day
- you must have a fenced yard or relief area
- you need access to a vehicle for veterinary appointments and training sessions
- and well, you have to give the dog back in 12-18 months

Don’t worry it still does qualify for the Free Things To Do In Ottawa This Winter post, as all the food and veterinary expenses are paid for. The next Information Session is on Friday, February 6, 2009.

9) Check out some of the sites at Winterlude
I've been in Capital City for about five years now and I have never done Winterlude. I think this year will be different... as long as it really is free of course, the whole broke thing you know.

10) Take a tour of one of the Capital’s many museums or galleries:

The National Gallery of Canada
Free admission Thursdays after 5 pm

The Ottawa Art Gallery
I’m not 100% sure, but I think it is free, and they have many workshops too

Bank Of Canada Currency Museum
Admission is always free. Open Tuesday to Saturday 10:30 am to 5 pm and Sunday 1 pm to 5 pm

Canada Agriculture Museum
Admission to the Animal Barns is free daily from 9 am to 5 pm

Canadian Museum of Civilization
Free general Museum admission on Thursdays after 4 pm

Canadian Museum of Contemporary Photography
Free admission on Thursdays after 5 pm

Canadian Museum of Nature
Admission is free on Saturday mornings from 9 am to 12 pm

Canadian War Museum
Free admission on Thursdays after 4 pm

Canada Aviation Museum
Admission is free daily from 4 pm to 5 pm

Library and Archives Canada
From what I understand it is always free, but who knows what they will actually let you look at.

Well that's it for now, if you Dear Reader (if anyone actually reads this) have any suggestions, feel free to leave a comment and I'll periodically update this list.

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Marley & Me - The Novel

book re⋅view –noun
[book ri-vyoo]
1. a critical description, evaluation, or analysis of a book

I have recently lost my quasi-Book Club, that was not. So you, dear reader (if there is anyone actually reading this) will have to be part of my new solo Book Club. Since the abolishment of my Book Club That Was Not I have not had the time to read a book, or at least I didn't make the time to read one.

Upon leaving Hometown to make the journey back to Capital City, my Nana offered to lend me a book "Well actually it's your Mom's book," she said. The book was John Grogan's Marley & Me.

I decided to crack the book on Friday evening, spending the night in with a book is FREE* right?
*Note: see My Own Financial Crisis

I finished the book up on Sunday afternoon, and well it was a pretty good read. It made me laugh it made me cry and it made me want to get a dog of my own. Thankfully I'm not really the impulsive type, so here I bang away at the keyboard still sans Dog.

John Grogan set out to tell the story of Marley the Dog, but what he ended up with was the story of his life, his marriage and his children, as Marley the dog was an intricate part of their lives. One of the morals that comes through in the story is a feeling that life for all of us could be much better off if we just learned to find our inner dog.

I would recommend Marley & Me to any animal lover, especially those of you that have or had a dog. If you're not the book reading type, from what I understand they have recently made a movie of the same title, so enjoy.

While reading John Grogan's story of his very bad dog it brought back many memories of my Mother's dog, Delaney.

Delaney passed away almost a year ago, and when it happened my Mom was devastated. As I am slightly emotional deficient I could not really empathize with my Mom, until I read this story.

Marley & Me brought back memories of the quiet times I would spend with Delaney, where I was convinced that she could speak and was only pretending to be a dog. I remembered her clumsiness, how she would always bash her head into chairs. I remember every time I came to visit how Delaney would great me like I was a Rock Star the moment I walked in the door. I started to understand why her death effected my Mom so much, and I selfishly thanked fate that I was not around when she passed away.

Delaney is still part of my Mom's house, she now resides in a small urn that is adorned with her collar. It sits on the mantel above the big screen television in the family room. Just like the Grogan's, my Mom and Step-Father have gotten a new dog, well actually they got two, their sisters and they are Labs. Tessa and Roxy's first couple of months of existence could have been taken straight out of Marley & Me, and I think the rest of their life may just follow the same destructive and humourous storyline.

There is nothing I can do but to bid them good luck.

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