Blog - Page 3 of 57 - Robert W. Mackay

“The House of Wives” Launches and Hits Big

May 18, 2016 by Robert Mackay Leave a Comment

It was an exciting event on Sunday May 15th when “The House of Wives” by Simon Choa-Johnston launched in South Surrey. And just as exciting for Simon, I’m sure, was the fact that the book made the Globe and Mail best-seller list the day before!

The picture at left doesn’t really do Simon Johnston justice, but it does show crucial parts of authorship: signing a book, and a happy customer, who has his wallet out.

The story prominently features three of Simon’s ancestors: a rich Hong Kong merchant, and both his (simultaneous) wives. Early reviews point to this being a great read. I’m looking forward to it.

(photo thanks to Sheila Johnston)

Presenting “Our Navy” at St. George’s Day Lunch

May 3, 2016 by Robert Mackay Leave a Comment

On April 15th I had the pleasure of presenting “Our Navy”, a powerpoint presentation made by the Naval Association of Canada as part of its outreach program. The purpose of the presentation is to inform our fellow Canadians about the role and structure of the Royal Canadian Navy.

My hosts were the Royal Society of St. George, and the Royal Commonwealth Society. The setting was perfect–the Royal Vancouver Yacht Club overlooking English Bay. A spirited discussion and questions followed.

RVYC was a fitting location, as the NOA of BC was founded in 1919 by RN veterans who had been members of the club; and the NOABC is one of the branches of today’s Naval Association of Canada.

Australia’s Huge Submarine Expansion

April 26, 2016 by Robert Mackay Leave a Comment

Australia has announced it has contracted with a French company to build 12 diesel-electric submarines. The contract is Australia’s largest ever defence agreement. Other frontrunners to build the Aussie boats were Germany and Japan.

Japan may have lost out because Australia’s largest trading partner is China, and the Chinese currently have tense relations with Japan.

Much of the actual construction will take place in Australia. An interesting model for the Canadian Defence Policy Review to look at.

Details are available in this article.

Robert J. Wiersema speaks at CAA event in Victoria

March 3, 2016 by Robert Mackay 1 Comment

Canadian Authors Association members in Victoria sponsored a very successful event in Victoria on February 28th. Presenting was Victoria author, book reviewer and seller Robert J. Wiersema, pictured here with Liz Walker. Liz and fellow member Myrtle Siebert, assisted by Steve Szalai, were key people behind the event. Robert’s talk, “Seven Myths of the Writing Life,” attracted a roomful of interested writers and readers, including attendees from the Lower Mainland.

The Victoria group are planning more events. Stay tuned!

Supernatural Submarine

February 18, 2016 by Robert Mackay 5 Comments

For all those fans of “Supernatural” who caught last night’s episode, “The Vessel”, here’s an external photo of the amazing submarine replica built in Burnaby for the shoot.

This is director John Badham, with two of the torpedo tubes featured in the production. Hats off to the crew who put the amazing set together.

There were times when I had to shake my head to remind myself I’m not back aboard USS RASHER. This is a mockup, and the flames in the corner of the control room are real flames, but will be turned off once the cameras have the shot.

Completing the Submarine Circle

February 13, 2016 by Robert Mackay Leave a Comment

In late 2015 I was hired as technical adviser for an episode of “Supernatural”, the episode itself directed by legendary Hollywood director John Badham. The episode, entitled “The Vessel”, is due to be shown on Wednesday, February 17th on the CW network locally.

The action takes place partially in a World War II United States navy submarine, BLUEFIN, and hence the need for a submariner as adviser.

It was a fascinating experience, as I’d never hung around a working set and shoot before. What made it especially interesting for me was that way back in 1964, as a green-around-the-gills sublieutenant in the Royal Canadian Navy, I had spent two weeks at sea in a US Navy submarine, USS RASHER (AGSS 269)–BLUEFIN’s real-life counterpart. RASHER’s Commanding Officer commented in a letter that I had “participated actively in the conduct of our exercises as assistant to the ship’s conning officer”. I guess that’s what I was doing when the photo of me on the periscope was snapped, although I look like I was reacting to a joke from one of the very professional but–being submariners–informal American crew.

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