James Conway Burns, a freelance writer, landed in Orr Lake, Ontario, Canada, on July 31st, 2004. He still doesn't know why.
Orr Lake is a very, very small rural settlement an hour and a half north of Toronto, inbetween the towns of Barrie, Midland, Elmvale and the unlikely-named Penetanguishene and close to the Townships of Tay and Tiny.
Having spent the previous 15 years of his life in London, England, this was a culture shock of the very highest order.
Since February of 2005, having acquired his permanent resident status and a social insurance number, he has been entertaining the readers of the Midland Free Press with stories, anecdotes, opinions and downright nonsense. He also writes serious stuff for them.
In July he was interviewed on CBC Radio's Ontario Today, commenting on a scandal at a local public hospital that was looking to become Catholic-run and therefore providing less services to the public. It was a lot of fun and he also got paid, which was nice.
This site is dedicated to his columns and also his journalism; you can read any selection of his archive pieces by, cunningly, clicking on the Archives pages. Similarly, you can read a selection of his journalism articles by, you guessed it, clicking on Journalism.
James has also written several novels and screenplays, details of which can be found on the portfolio page.
All articles on this website are copyright James Conway Burns. All rights reserved.
For reproduction/syndication enquiries, to contact him or merely to tell him exactly what you think of him, in no uncertain terms, please send your emails/hate mail to james@orrlakealien.com.
