No - right here's fine - Shawn's Sense with Shawn Loughlin

Do you ever read this column and think, wow, I can’t believe he got 600 words out of that idea? Ever think, hey, this column could have been an e-mail? Don’t think I can keep taking a small idea and spin it into a whole column? Just watch me, Bozo.

 

Earlier this week, as I was putting the finishing touches on a retrospective for the Blyth Festival’s 50th anniversary, I spoke with former Artistic Director Katherine Kaszas (1985-1991) live from London, England. She was there, I was here and we video-chatted. A big thank you to Katherine for doing that.

 

It got me thinking about some of the weirder interview circumstances I’ve encountered in my nearly 18 years with The Citizen. Earlier this year, similar to the Kaszas interview, I video-chatted with Wayne Caldwell live from Spain - he was kind enough to chat about rural Ontario from a place that’s anywhere but.

 

I know Scott had one of these circumstances earlier this year when he video-chatted with Owen Riegling from... a field. He called Owen and he was home after weeks on the road and was just lying down in a field - more than happy to show off the field to Scott. So, I think that’s one of the weirder ones, but I guess it proves one thing: that he’s outstanding in his field. Denny - that one was for you.

 

I know I’ve had more than my fair share of interviews that I’ve conducted on the side of the road in my car, knowing I’ve needed to take notes and knowing the spotty nature of cell reception in this county. I interviewed Trina McBride from the Huron Pioneer Thresher and Hobby Association from one of those ONroute stops between London and Windsor once on my way to Detroit.
Then there are the odd circumstances under which I’ve interviewed people in person. Speaking with someone in person is always my preferred method of connecting, but, as resources and time are scarce, sometimes you have to bite the bullet and do it by phone.

 

One time, I went to Auburn to interview Jim and Dorothy Schneider - they’ve both passed away now, but I remember this interview well. Why? Because I severely injured my toe mere seconds before they opened the door.

 

How? Well, it was winter and I had become quite accustomed to kicking my steel-toed boots against stone steps before I entered a house to knock off the snow. I went to do it, but forgot that I wasn’t wearing the steel-toed boots. Anyway, as blood poured out my body and into my shoe and sock, I interviewed Jim and Dorothy and if they could tell something was wrong, they didn’t say anything, so I guess I pulled it off.

 

The second one is another foot one. I went to the Brussels area to interview Bryan Morton, who’s also no longer with us, about the project that would soon become the Four Winds Barn. I promptly took my boots off in the garage, which was where he left his new puppy, so she wouldn’t bother us. Well, when we were done and I came back out, I had one boot left. The other was strewn around the garage in far too many places to still be considered one boot. I told Morton that it wasn’t a problem and that they were pretty old boots anyway. In reality, they were my favourite boots and I still miss them. Ah well, these kinds of things happen.

 

So, ya - for every interview that I’ve had with someone over a cup of coffee that’s gone really well, I’ve had another that... hasn’t. Again, it happens. 

 

Thanks to everyone who’s put up with me calling them from the side of the road or a mall food court. To any dog that’s eaten my shoe over the years, I don’t really offer my thanks.