Okay, this is my last installment about the GG’s – but this is the “funnest” one yet, about the actual ceremony at Rideau Hall.
Quite honestly I have never experienced anything like it. Those of you in the TV industry will know that our awards ceremonies often tend to be laden with cynicism. Not so the GG’s. From the moment we arrived to the moment we departed, we were made to feel like kings and queens, and the enthusiasm and warmth of everyone there was genuine (either that or they were all very, very good actors!). Playing dress-up was a great deal of fun, and you’ll finally be able to see some photos of my dress, below – I got a zillion compliments on it. I can honestly say I have never, ever been this dressed-up in my life; on my wedding day at City Hall I got married in a $12 vintage (ie used) dress from Courage, My Love in Kensington Market!
We were taken to Rideau Hall by shuttle. Our guests took the next shuttle (my guests were husband Goran and mom Eleanor). We then did a rehearsal with a handsome man in uniform named Sylvester, and all of us looked rather panicked as it was a lot of instruction; mount the stage, bow to the GG and his wife, stand here, wait for your publisher to sing your praises, go BACK to the GG, get your BEAUTIFUL AND STUNNING hand-made bound copy of your book, don’t forget to acknowledge his wife too, do the photo op, THEN go to the podium to make your speech. Phew!! After rehearsal we were all herded into a room to wait.
(This photo below is of me in the grand foyer, tickled that there are mounties in busbys (spelling?) behind me).
When we entered the room “for real”, it was FULL of people, every chair (except ours!) taken. And we entered to a live quartet and a standing ovation. I have to say, it was pretty overwhelming. For the next hour, each recipient was introduced by his or her publisher, and then we each did our speeches. Alison Morgan of Tundra did a beautiful job introducing me and got me close to choked up. I think I remembered all the on-stage ‘moves’ just fine.
After speeches we were herded into another room for photos with the GG David Johnson and his wife. Boy, what a tough job, but they do it with aplomb. You couldn’t be a germaphobe in that line of work. Then, everyone but GG winners was escorted out of the room, and we were asked to stay. This is when we were told that, because it was the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee year, she was bestowing upon each of us a Diamond Jubilee medal. OK, that’s when I teared up – not because I’m a big monarchist, but because it was just too much. Like my husband used to say when he was having so much fun it was overwhelming, “Someone give me some green peas!” (because he hated green peas). I wanted to shout for green peas because it was all so mind-bogglingly fantastic. You could tell that all the GG winners were really blown away, getting these medals. And just to make it better, this morning I noticed it also comes with a pamphlet of instructions – how to wear it for “day use” and “evening use!” I was also told if I ever get an invitation that says “with decorations” I’m supposed to wear it. Goran and I have decided we’ll have to host a party that says “with decorations,” otherwise I’ll never get the chance!
Finally, the party and eating began. We joined our guests and all the other invitees, and it was wonderful. The food – fantastic. Set up at food stations in two long rooms. I met a lot of wonderful people, including a woman who insists she’s going to get me to Labrador next November for an arts festival they hold up there. I told her I was SO IN. (especially because I at first thought she’d said Ladner and that wasn’t so exciting!).
Here I am with Stephen King (okay, not THAT Stephen King, but a really wonderful Stephen King) and Ross King, Ross being the non-fiction winner. Just a lovely, lovely man; we had a lot of laughs, and Goran and the King brothers hit it off as well.
Best story of the night was when Bob Rae approached with his wife Arlene Perly Rae. I leaned across the table (husband beside me) and admitted to Michael Ondaatje and Linda Spalding that I have a slight crush on Bob. Michael and Linda know Bob, and when they arrived at the table there was an empty seat beside me. Michael said, “Bob, Bob, sit down! Sit there, beside Susin.” Bob looked like he really really did not want to sit down beside me. But Michael kept shouting it, with an incredibly impish look in his eye, so finally Bob sat down. Michael immediately pulled out his camera and started snapping shots of me and Bob (kind of cutting off Arlene, who’s standing behind us). Bob got up pretty quickly. 🙂 I did have a lovely talk with Arlene after that. Anyway this is probably my favourite photo of the night.
We also got to tour a bunch of the rooms and part of the green house. This is me with Goran, Alison Morgan and Mom.
At around 11 pm we all herded onto a shuttle bus and the Random House folks took us to the Chateau Laurier for champagne. It was hard to say goodnight to people like Ross and Linda (and impish Michael). They all treated me so well and didn’t make me feel like the “country mouse.”
It was a truly magical night. I felt like Cinderella at the ball.
