Montreal launch was a freaking blast
October 18, 2007 @ Les 3 Minots
3812 St. Laurent Boulevard
Photos by Peggy Killeen
Mike, me, Tim Rabnett, Nic, and Matt Silver wrap up the show: five finely tuned apathy machines who still nap regularly.
| We had a great night at the Montreal launch of A Finely Tuned Apathy Machine. My brother, Mike, and Tim Rabnett were hilarious as the Dan D Lyons and had the place in hysterics. They were kind enough to write a new song in honour of the book launch, the aptly titled "Wait For The Movie". Its effect on book sales are thus far inconclusive. Mike also hosted the affair. |
Matt Silver, Nic Paterson: incapable of memorization.
| My other
brother, Nic, teamed up with Matt Silver to produce a boffo awards
presentation skit. Incapable of memorization, they wrote out their
lines in block letters on poster boards. In the moments prior to the
start of the launch, I overheard them congratulating themselves. "This
is fucking great!" Matt exclaimed. Nic patted Matt on the back. "Yeah, they're like giant cheat sheets! Genius!" "They're called cue cards," a familiar voice intoned, dripping with sarcasm, "and you're gonna need somebody to hold them." It was Monika Schmidt. Within seconds, she had the boys in line, fetching her a bubble gum martini and a bag of barbecue potato chips. |
Monkia Schmidt, despite the smile, won't accept paltry roles involving cue card-handling for much longer.
I signed some books and found out what the top of my head looks like from above. Pretty cylindrical.
A Finely Tuned Apathy Incorporated's CFO, Lynn Brown, thwarts (with a smile) yet another attempt to rob the company's coffers.
Back row: Martin Kevan, KerryAnn Cochrane, Mark "Apathy Implied" Paterson. Front: Gavin Twedily, Peggy Killeen, JR Carpenter.
This crowd shot was snapped just moments before the premises were stormed by a hoard of ruffians brandishing wooden boards and
empty metal garbage cans. They were overcome, reduced to tears, however, by the eloquent literary presentation and pledged to
only use their violent tendancies for good from that moment on. No remedy could be found, however, for their rancid tatziki breath.
The Dan D Lyons: "Wait For The Movie"
Dreaded sandwhich board duties were bravely taken care of by Lynn. She's still wiping the chalk dust from her hands.
Apathy can strike anyone, at any time.
Julie Mahfood and friend, cheaply sharing one glass of red wine. Note: the fruit drink directly in front of Julie was photoshopped in.
Mark Paterson, JR Carpenter. After these feigned pleasantries, we quickly resumed the long-standing Paterson-Carpenter
feud, a grudge that will not heal until Jessica pays me back for that falafel pita I bought at the Eaton Centre food court
in 2002. "My ATM card must be demagnetzed." Yeah, how many times have you spun that yarn?!?!
Mike Paterson, Tim Rabnett. Buying the audience's favour with potato chips again.
A Finely Tuned Apathy Incorporated's COO Natalie Vinette brings order to the event, staving off the surging crowd with her patented Palm Grip
of Death. Interestingly, the Palm Grip of Death only simulates death in its victims, so everybody gets scared for a little while and then it's cool.
A Finely Tuned Apathy Machine: available with turnable pages!
Toronto launch
October 2, 2007 @ Dora Keogh Irish Pub
141 Danforth Avenue
Photos courtesy Exile Editions
 Mark Paterson wishes to thank the
Conseil des arts et des lettres du Québec for its financial
support, making travel to the launch of my book in Toronto, Ontario
possible. |
Me (with extremely rare full pint of beer), Exile Editions Publisher Michael Callaghan, writer Matt Shaw, and artist Gabriela Campos.
Exciting action reading shot.