THIS! Christine

Fate?

2006-11-18T02:26:00.000-08:00

WTF?... I swear I had the best of intentions.

I also swear I normally lead a very humdrum life, but this last week has been utterly insane.

Apart from Monday night (which was taken up with continuing man-loving), I've been out of house every night!!!! This is seriously cutting into my do nothing go no-where assertions. The weekend isn't holding out much hope for more word count either. Tomorrow I have two 'Dikes" who insist on a rum night, and Sunday I have my 'baby sister/movie producer (yes I know, shameless name dropping) arriving in town for a fly by night meet and greet. So, fuck it! Gonna enjoy people whilst I have them. word count shmord count. We're talking real life people here to interact with instead of the critters in my head. So, syonara (sp?) nanu-nanu--for now.

X

Celebration part deux

2006-11-09T01:09:00.000-08:00

Sorry for the hiatus on reporting word count.

The DHM came home after a six week absence. Will get back to you after I can walk again.

X

Sad, Sad, Sad.

2006-11-03T00:41:00.000-08:00

I managed a whole paragraph tonight... about 70 words, how pathetic is that?... but I did help a friend with an interview process, so it wasn't a total waste.

here's to doing better tomorrow night.

Cheers,

X

I Write the Songs (or in this case, the books.)

2006-11-01T23:03:00.000-08:00

I've decided to participate in the November writing month, or as I call it, Nanu-Nanu.

500 words tonight. Not a great start, but hey, as it's the first thing I've written seriously for months--besides notes and outlines--I'll take it. I'll try to at least post word count achieved every night.

Good luck to everyone participating. I hope you meet your goals.

X

Out of Step.

2006-10-24T22:13:00.000-07:00

I'm actually the exact opposite of the lyrics to this song. But hey, the title you know?

Ever have that feeling that you're simply existing in a world almost entirely out of sync with you? I've been feeling that a lot lately, probably due to all the small trips I've taken recently.

1. I feel like I'm the only person on the face of the planet who resents being felt up every time I want to get on a plane. (This is a problem I only have with our 'local' small airport security)... The gist is, too many staff and not enough volume of passengers, which results in the secondary random searching becoming commonplace for commuters. I'm actually starting to develop a phobia about travelling, and it has nothing to do with terrorists. The security 'fondling' is my terror these days. It shouldn't be necessary that I be molested every time I want to get on a plane.

I actually went to the website of the government department to complain about this issue, but they wanted so much personal information it was too Orwellian and i chickened out. Regardless, this rant will probably get its own blog one of these days when I feel safe enough that I won't have security stasi breaking down my door for daring to criticise. (-ise, ize? I've been living in NA too long, I can't remember the exceptions anymore).

2. Our society's obsession with health, weight, food. And why we need to fear everything in our environment and blame, threaten and disenfranchise those poor few who aren't as enlightened. A subject I've ranted on in many blogs, but it bears repeating... leave my fucking dairy section ALONE!

3. Animals. Now I like animals. When I was a kid we had a veritable menagerie of pets over the years. Hell if I lived in a different climate I'd probably have a menagerie again--BUT, the difference between me and everyone else it seems, is I don't lurrrrve animals. I don't dress them up in cute widdle outfits. I don't treat them like adored, cosseted or over-indulged children. And I don't expect my friends to sit on the fucking dog blanket covering the furniture when they come to visit. To me there is a clear line between animals and people, and the two are not treated the same. It's actually been my observation that many people who revere animals despise people. You might chortle to youself that by that yardstick I must be the frickin president of PETA, not so. To put it into some persepctive I read an article yesterday about an organisation that is rescuing pets in, Afghanistan. How admirable, you may think. Now picture a small child on the streets devastated by war--yes let's make him an orphan--hungry, frightened, and this rescue van pulls up (I have no idea how the rehabilitation of animals in this country takes place).. out leaps the rescuers to save--not little orphan Ali, but a little scruffy mutt.

I've used an extreme example but it really pisses me off when animals are put before people. You may disagree with me, in fact I'm sure you will. But I'll bet you dollars to donuts, the vast majority of people who donated funds to save the poor animals in Afghanistan wouldn't even have considered donating for people. I mean come on, how many times have you sat in front of the TV watching the news and veiwing a scene of utter horror, and then they pan to a cat or dog looking totally miserable and everyone in the room goes, "aww", hell I've done it myself.

Oh crap there were a few more things I wanted to rant about, but that last one wound me up... I have to go drink now. Heavily.

X

Bad Company.

2006-10-19T08:52:00.000-07:00

Don't ever doubt the influence you have on your children.

Yesterday while doing schoolwork, The Spawn, had to write an assessment of the module he'd just completed for Language Arts (formerly known as English). It was a section on poetry and expressive writing. The Spawn doesn't like writing at the best of times. I should amend, he likes writing, but more as an artform--everything must be just so. But his written answering style is more monosyllabic, less being, well, less. Why use ten words when one will do?
Sadly, that much hasn't changed over the years. Teachers still want hundred word answers when five would suffice. So what did this chip off the old block answer when asked what he felt about the poetry module? (I won't even go into how painful it was to explain the need to express feelings in writing--he's a boy after all). His answer? "It's the best thing I've ever written."

Egotistical and sarcastic. Brings a proud tear to the eye doesn't it?

X

Born to be Mild.

2006-10-17T22:08:00.000-07:00

I'm back, yet again.

I was out of town for a week. The Spawn, DHM and I went to Edmonton for a command appearance at a family gathering. A reunion of siblings and cousins you might say. It was a nice time, but I'm not the best traveller and we were staying well out of the city, so snow and rain made for some very tense driving situations (at least for me). I spent a lot of my time commuting and being afraid. Yes, I know, I'm a total wuss.

Anyway, I'm home and safe and cosy in my lovely house, and already I can feel the tension falling away from my shoulders.

Will try and think of something to write about tomorrow. I'm sure some asshat will piss me off about one thing or another, the world, sadly, being populated as it is by far too many stupid people.

X

The Moral of the Story.

2006-10-12T23:22:00.000-07:00

okay, I'm experiencing a sense of 'moral' outrage, over the predominance of 'my morals are better than yours' mentality that is so pervasive and devisive these days.

I was sent to a link to some asshat politician's site Fred Head, (I swear to God, that's his name, and no, I won't link to it.) some hopeful in Texas who is bashing his opponent for being a writer of pornography. This pornopraphic writer (this phrase is repeated, well, repeatedly during the diatribe on his site) dared to write a book with a sex scene in it. Yes folks, she wrote a romance. Okay, that pissed me off initially, but the more I thought about it my anger shifted to the whole 'she's morally corrupt' aspect.

What yardstick are we using here to rate ourselves against. (no, not ourselves because our morals are not in question, everyone elses then). Whose morals can bare any close scrutiny and come away squeaky clean? I know mine wouldn't. Does that make me a bad person, well by today's impossible standards of perfection I guess it does.

When this tactic is constantly used by our supposed leaders though, it makes me grit my teeth. In one swoop they damn the opponent as morally reprehensible, and by association anyone who would support that opponent. That's an awful lot of the electorate you're attacking there. It's dumb and counterproductive.

It's one thing I have to commend Prime Minister Steven Harper for. Going into the election I thoroughly despised him, was very leery of his party and their agenda, but I have to concede, his dogged determination to stick to the message of his policies and not engage in character or moral attacks on his opponents, made me view him with greater respect. He absolutley kicked his bleating, blaming, fear mongering, opponent's asses in every debate.

So leaders everywhere, please take note. I don't need you to preach morals to me. I need and want you to lead by example (if you don't cuss, state it simply, don't add on, that you think people who do are... (fill in the blank). Don't pontificate how you think I or my neighbour SHOULD conduct ourselves, we can make those decisions, right or wrong, on our own.

Thus endeth the rant.

X

Cambodia

2006-09-26T23:28:00.000-07:00

Cambodia, Pakistan, close enough to make the whole song title theme work!

Sometimes Jon Stewart just rocks my world.

Tonight he had on as his guest, Pervez Musharraf, President of Pakistan. How cool is that!?!

I really want to know (and yet, I also want to think this was a coup!!!), how many other shows this prestigious guest appeared on, before or after, The Daily Show.

X

Hero.(es)

2006-09-26T10:00:00.000-07:00

I watched two new shows last night. Smith and Heroes, and both of them left me wanting--a little.

Smith. Okay I missed the pilot episode, but I have to say I was a little disappointed in the angle the show chose to take. For some reason I thought the show would be kind of cool--about a master thief ala Thomas Crowne meets the Italian Job, and every episode would be the planning and execution of a heist. I think I can be forgiven based on the previews I managed to catch. Very well dressed people, going over plans and organisation and then slick execution (with some hi-tech help) of the 'job'.(At least this is what I surmized from the previews). Man was I wrong. These guys are not exactly heroes of their own story. He (and his team) are just criminals with little or no redeeming qualities and I can't see how the show can survive if they continue to botch jobs and shoot it out and give the viewer nothing to connect with. Frankly, the characterisation alone isn't enough to hold my interest enough to continue watching.

On to a show I knew even less about,

Heroes. What was I expecting? A six degrees of separation thing with ordinary people doing (not even heroic) uplifting acts that change lives/a life. A feel good show. Again, couldn't be more wrong. We got us real live super heroes. Which, okay, kinda cool. Quite enjoyed the first half of the pilot introducing the characters and an over view of their stories. I enjoyed how some of the characters were aware yet unaware that they had super powers, like web cam stripper mom seeing another her in the mirror, a reflection out of sync. Disturbing her (and me). A big, 'What's this all about' storyline. Cheerleader chick, same thing. Look I can't die! Not for a moment seeing this as a super power. Dude who paints the future and it pains him. But then on the flip side we have Hiro. A Japanese uber geek. An adorably exuberant character who not only KNOWS what his power is but embraces it and actively seeks recognition from his friend. Everything about him was likable. I also liked seeing the little connections as the show progressed. Er, web-cam stripper's kid reading a comic that later we see Japanese uber-geek reading. And then later, uber geek's friend watching web cam stripper. 'I think I can fly', guy getting into the cab driven by, way hot, (and has the accent to prove it) dude who is looking for clues as to the death/murder of his father--a brilliant geneticist who wound up in NYC looking for... what?... patient zero??? Intriguing storyline there. So I settled in to discover what the scoop was, what everyone's super power was, and how these seemingly random storylines/characters connected.

What didn't I like about the show. I did not like the bad guy storyline. I was fine with it when he was simply the guy who murdered the scientist father (for reasons as yet unknown), but when he showed up as cheerleader chicks Dad, well there were way too many X-files, cigarette smoking man, overtones for me to be comfortable with. I just felt like the show was going so well. The character conflicts, their struggle as they explore their super powers, and what their purpose is, is enough to go on with without throwing in a government (secret cult?) conspiricist already.

I'll watch this show again to see the second half of the pilot, and probably the first episode after the pilot, but if conspiracy guy is given too much foreshadowing I think I'll have to pass on this show.

X

I'd Rather...

2006-09-09T23:21:00.000-07:00

Thank goodness there's a song with this title.

So we're sitting around drinking some wine (yes, shocking I know), and we start laughing about our favourite I'd rather sayings that friends have said over the years. Like...

I'd rather be sodomized.

I'd rather get my nails clipped with a quisinart.

(my personal favourite) I'd rather suck the juice out of the bottom of the garbage bag.

K if you still have your lunch, what are some of your memorable, 'I'd Rather' sayings?

X

I am Alive

2006-09-09T00:15:00.000-07:00

Yes, yes. I'm back from yet another trip. (I refuse to call them vacations because if it doesn't last longer than 3 weeks it doesn't count). This one was a visit to a friend's lake house just outside Yellowknife. We spent the long weekend there and unbeknownst to me there were two other couples present. people we'd known from years ago here... even better, they both had teenage boys so, The Spawn, had someone to entertain him instead of badgering me like I'm frickin Julie from the love boat.

Needless to say, when the young'uns are occupied a great many more drinks are consumed. A great time was had by me in any case.

So I got back on Wednesday, sans DHM, and on Thursday I was back out at the airport to pick up two guests who were up for the DHM's annual fishing camp trip. Did I mention that DHM wasn't here? Not a huge problem, one of the guests was a dear friend from years ago (well he's still a dear friend, he just doesn't live here anymore). The other guest a friend of his. Okay fishermen here. check. pilot to fly them out to camp. not check.

The story gets better. This fishing trip has been going on for over 9 years. different people in different numbers, but always the first or second weekend in September. It's DHM's bond-with-the-boys weekend. Grunt, make fire, catch own food, primal roots sort of weekend. To be fair, DHM has been extremely busy with his business this year, but jayz, he could have told them he didn't insure the plane. The plane isn't even in the water yet (and won't be this season, not this late)... so these guys have been looking forward to this trip for months, and it aint happening. Happily they quickly found alternative options and are now at a cabin on Ya Ya lakes (above the treeline.. which is freaky weird).

Okay that's my lament for the night. In other news I just finished watching V for Vendetta. I knew it would disturb me, and I was right (as always). I'm torn between making the obvious parallel between the Bush govts. rule of fear, and the perspective of life in a society from the dissident's point of view. I still haven't decided which I'm more comfortable with.

What else is new? Umm my house was once again used as cookout central whilst I was away. I can't really complain as they leave the kitchen cleaner than I do... but the left overs are always suspect, ya know?

K that's it for me, for now.

X

The AAR Top 100 Romance Novels Meme

2006-08-25T10:32:00.000-07:00

Actually this is a pretty sad (and dare I say, limited?) list. But in the spirit of playing the game, I'll bold those I've read.

1. Lord of Scoundrels by Loretta Chase
2. Flowers From the Storm by Laura Kinsale
3. Welcome to Temptation by Jennifer Crusie
4. As You Desire by Connie Brockway
5. Bet Me by Jennifer Crusie
6. Dreaming of You by Lisa Kleypas
7. Outlander by Diana Gabaldon Oh, to be so wordy.
8. Over the Edge by Suzanne Brockmann
9. All Through the Night by Connie Brockway
10. Sea Swept by Nora Roberts
11. It Had to be You by Susan Elizabeth Phillips
12. A Summer to Remember by Mary Balogh
13. Morning Glory by LaVyrle Spencer
14. The Proposition by Judith Ivory
15. A Kingdom of Dreams by Judith McNaught A lovely romance. A fabulous plot.
16. Ravished by Amanda Quick
17. Frederica by Georgette Heyer
18. Mrs. Drew Plays Her Hand by Carla Kelly
19. MacKenzie’s Mountain by Linda Howard
20. Mr. Perfect by Linda Howard
21. The Grand Sophy by Georgette Heyer
22. Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
23. The Bride by Julie Garwood
24. Devil’s Bride by Stephanie Laurens
25. To Have and to Hold by Patricia Gaffney
26. Born in Fire by Nora Roberts
27. Winter Garden by Adele Ashworth
28. Gone Too Far by Suzanne Brockmann
29. The Viscount Who Loved Me by Julia Quinn
30. Saving Grace by Julie Garwood
31. My Dearest Enemy by Connie Brockway
32. In the Midnight Rain by Barbara Samuel
33. The Windflower by Laura London
34. Naked in Death by J.D. Robb
35. Whitney, My Love by Judith McNaught
36. Nobody’s Baby but Mine by Susan Elizabeth Phillips
37. A Knight in Shining Armor by Jude Deveraux
38. Paradise by Judith McNaught
39. The Shadow and the Star by Laura Kinsale
40. Dream Man by Linda Howard
41. Out of Control by Suzanne Brockmann
42. Silk and Shadows by Mary Jo Putney
43. See Jane Score by Rachel Gibson
44. Shattered Rainbows by Mary Jo Putney
45. Thunder and Roses by Mary Jo Putney
46. The Duke and I by Julia Quinn
47. Heart Throb by Suzanne Brockmann
48. For My Lady’s Heart by Laura Kinsale
49. Honor’s Splendor by Julie Garwood
50. Lord Carew’s Bride by Mary Balogh
51. Untie my Heart by Judith Ivory
52. Dream a Little Dream by Susan Elizabeth Phillips
53. The Secret by Julie Garwood This book set me back on the romance tracks after years of abstaining due to completely prickish Heroes. Thank you Ms garwood for giving me a hero I worthy of being loved.
54. This is All I Ask by Lynn Kurland
55. Slightly Dangerous by Mary Balogh
56. One Perfect Rose by Mary Jo Putney
57. To Love and to Cherish by Patricia Gaffney
58. Kiss an Angel by Susan Elizabeth Phillips
59. Heaven, Texas by Susan Elizabeth Phillips
60. Venetia by Georgette Heyer
61. Daughter of the Game by Tracy Grant
62. The Prize by Julie Garwood
63. Reforming Lord Ragsdale by Carla Kelly
64. Prince Joe by Suzanne Brockmann
65. The Notorious Rake by Mary Balogh
66. Heartless by Mary Balogh
67. Son of the Morning by Linda Howard
68. Sleeping Beauty by Judith Ivory
69. Where Dreams Begin by Lisa Kleypas
70. The Devil’s Cub by Georgette Heyer How this beat out 'These Old Shades' is beyond me
71. The Bronze Horseman by Paullina Simons
72. The Time Traveler’s Wife by Audrey Niffenegar
73. With This Ring by Carla Kelly
74. The Lion’s Lady by Julie Garwood
75. The Rake by Mary Jo Putney
76. Fallen from Grace by Laura Leone
77. Always to Remember by Lorraine Heath
78. Castles by Julie Garwood The beginning of the end. Heroines too sweetly perfect for words.
79. One Good Turn by Carla Kelly
80. Chesapeake Blue by Nora Roberts
81. By Arrangement by Madeline Hunter
82. Perfect by Judith McNaught
83. My Darling Caroline by Adele Ashworth
84. The Defiant Hero by Suzanne Brockmann
85. The Unsung Hero by Suzanne Brockmann
86. Guilty Pleasures by Laura Lee Guhrke
87. Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte One of my favourites. 1st person POVers could learn from this example.
88. Kill and Tell by Linda Howard
89. After the Night by Linda Howard
90. More than a Mistress by Mary Balogh
91. Born in Ice by Nora Roberts
92. Miss Wonderful by Loretta Chase
93. The Charm School by Susan Wiggs
94. Scoundrel by Elizabeth Elliott
95. How to Marry a Marquis by Julia Quinn
96. Angel Rogue by Mary Jo Putney
97. Trust Me by Jayne Ann Krentz
98. Dancing on the Wind by Mary Jo Putney
99. Once and Always by Judith McNaught
100. This Heart of Mine by Susan Elizabeth Phillips

Fat Bottomed Girls

2006-08-24T20:38:00.000-07:00

Does obesity = obscene?

I've listened to at least three pieces this week on obesity. Two were local news snippets on their 'health beat', and one was an interview piece on a radio talk show talking to a nutritionist.

Now I'm not disputing any claims or statistics spouted during these pieces, (although I tend to dispute statistics fairly regularly). What I'm curious about is the overall message so gently said and repeated on nearly every network and radio channel on the continent at one time or another. 'Being overweight is bad for your health.' Now according to all these programs an overwhelming number of people in this small town, or that Province, or even North America, are obese. I want to emphasise how gently these health reprimands are couched. It's not the person of larger proportions that's the problem. no no. it's the fat's fault. That's what we're attacking here. The fat. not the person.

At least, not yet.

I really wonder about why the message is out there? Is it so everyone will live a long and healthy life, surely that's a noble motive, a message we as society can all get behind? But then I have to ask myself.. well, why do you care how any one else chooses to live their life? Is it perhaps because obese people may be a drain on medical resources? in which case the message isn't nearly as noble or gentle.

No matter how caring it's portrayed the gentle drip drip drip method of the message gets louder and more insistent: YOU MUST CHANGE. I am becoming increasingly convinced that it is an intrusion and judgement in and on people's choices. It's a cruel and relentless attack on a 'large portion' of society.

X

Don't Worry. Be Happy.

2006-08-18T10:08:00.000-07:00

Of Conferences and things.

Just to give you a little bit of background, I worked in the telecommunications area for 10 years, and attended several conferences and trade shows wearing that cap. So RWANat wasn't the huge shock to me that it is to some, although many aspects were (and still are) real eye openers.

RWA National Conference is an interesting beast to attend. This year in Atlanta was my fourth time experiencing this phenomena and for purely personal reasons it was also my best.

New York was the first Nationals conference I attended. It was in an unofficial capacity as I missed the registration deadline, and frankly I went there to meet all the people who had assisted me in my writing over the years. I had a wonderful time, and, listening to all the glowing reports on what the seminars offered, I vowed that next year I would attend officially.

Next year the conference was in Dallas (shudder). I was official, I was caught up in all the excitement along with everyone else and basically acted like a hick. I tried to cram in every seminar on offer (simply not possible) and was disappointed in about 95% of them because they were a rehash of knowledge I'd already gathered in my quest to improve my writing. Not the seminars fault... more my ability to select pertinent seminars. Then came Reno... I had a bit more experience now, (and a few more books under my belt) and feeling much more comfortable about how to comport myself at these events. I chose seminars focused on the publishing industry instead of writing techniques and got far more out of that conference experience than previous.

Then came Atlanta. In many ways Atlanta mirrored my New York experience except now I had many more contacts to meet and greet. I only attended two seminars both were a disappointment to me, BUT, beyond the seminars there was the social aspect. And this is where my previous (otherlife) conference experience finally kicked in. You hear time and again how networking is vital in this business (writing). Well, that's what I did this year. I was relaxed, I talked to everyone and anyone--and rarely about their books. I slipped back into my familiar hostess mode, asking about their lives etc and generally felt as if THIS year I came away with some solid benefit. By listening to these people I learned about what was happening in the industry and for the first time felt myself on solid ground.

To bring this back to my original comment about conferences.

With those conferences or trade shows I was the customer. My business was being courted or my expertise being sought. I learned about new trends, technoligies, and regulations at the seminars that may affect my business or how we operate. RWA Nationals is the total opposite. I (the writer) am the vendor. RWA gathers potential customers (publishers, agents, booksellers) together for me to strut my wares. The 'industry' and its inner workings is spoken of in hushed tones for fear of potentially offending our 'customers'. These conversations inevitably take place in small social gatherings. Never in an official fact giving seminar. Industry news from publishers are given in their 'Spotlight' sessions. Essentially glowing press releases which doesn't exactly arm the writer with the pros and cons.

It's an oddity, and I'm not sure it can change to better meet and educate the budding author (I'm not even certain if it should). What I do know is that I'm finding it increasingly frustrating to gather the information I feel I need at this time.

I probably will not be attending the conference next year (it's in Dallas (shudder) again) unless I sell. In which case I may have to revisit the idea. Anyway thems is my thoughts on RWA's National Conference.

X

Hotel California--Inuvik

2006-08-15T23:36:00.000-07:00

'cept we don't kill anyone with our steely knifes.

Many (urban) friends have shared their amazement at my house-come-bed and breakfast.

So, here's the 411. We live in a very remote, very unique area of the world. You're all familiar with the term 'six degrees of separation', well that's how many folks come to us. A friend of a friend knows someone who's travelling to this region and gives our name and or number as a contact when they get here. Nine times out of ten these people end up staying with us, not because of obligation but more because that's the way it is. We meet them, we talk, and we convince them that staying here is more comfortable than the alternatives--hotel, bed and breakfast, or camp grounds.

We meet the most interesting people. from US Senators, to oil execs, to plumbers, and contractors. (whom we try very hard to convince to hang around and help with our remodelling). Regardless we tend to enjoy them all, and oddly enough, they seem to enjoy our slapshod hospitality.

So if you're ever up this way, give us a call... we're in the book.

X

ABSENCE MAKES THE HEART GROW FONDER (or, yes I really am a lazy bitch)

2006-08-15T15:05:00.000-07:00

It's been nigh on two months since I last posted.

Yikes what a time I've had. Since then I've hosted a houseful of guests attending the oilmans conference. Had one of the Spawn's friends stay for two weeks (and two teenage boys are hell on wheels to entertain, even though I did encourage them to build a raft and act like Huck Finn. Celebrated my 20th wedding anniversary--twice.(we got the date wrong). Took a week long trip to Yellowknife. Had more guests after we got back. Did the arts festival annual deck and drinks extravaganza. and finally did RWA Nationals.

There. now we're all caught up.

X

Happy Anniversary To Me.

2006-06-12T22:49:00.000-07:00

I think I passed my one year milestone with a whimper, not a bang. Meh

I'm like that. Dates don't mean much to me. hell, remembering to blog at all is a milestone in my life, so the one year mark passed me by unlamented and unnoticed. In other news though, I have sun. I have a tan. I have flowers! I may even (if the gods are kind) manage to salvage my lawn from the destruction of the last two years of construction, and the havoc that was caused by trailers, loaders, and lumber being stacked on the front lawn.

That's what I did this weekend, gardened, gardened, gardened. We have a very brief season here, and my skills... well I describe them as enthusiastic rather than knowledgeable, but I find something very soothing about sinking my hands into soil (no namby pamby gloves for this gal). My seedlings are robust by now, almost ready to put into pots, but this weekend I played landscaper. Both to the small amount of greenspace surrounding our office building, and to our own front lawn. It was a gloriously sunny weekend. Temperatures into the high 20s (that's about 75-80 to you F type people). I can't just sit and soak up the sun, I have to be doing something, whether it be pulling weeds, mowing, tilling, planting... must be doing something.

Also happening this week is the annual oilmens tradeshow. Busy time for us. Lots of entertaining and gadding about. I hope the weather holds.

Ciao bellas

X

The Nature of Things.

2006-06-08T23:56:00.000-07:00

Most of my imaginery (online) friends live in urban settings. So this post, Im sure, will draw a few oohs and awws.

I live surrounded by nature. To me it's not a wonderous thing to visit and admire on weekends, it's something that has to be dealt with every day. Take yesterday morning.

6:00am I wake up. This is unusual. I don't even wake up when the stupid smoke detector goes off becaues DHM is burning yet another aluminum tea kettle. So I wake up for no reason I can detect as yet... seeing as I'm awake I go potty. But I lay back in bed and start pondering why the hell I woke me up, cause I just don't wake up at 6am no matter how full my bladder may be (and it wasn't that full).

Ears are on alert. What roused me from my glorious needed sleep? I hear random tap thwack thunds... hmm perhaps the Spawn is up and about. Except I don't hear the comforting rhythm of his steps accompanying those odd thwacks... hmm not the spawn then. What could it be?

OMG! someone is in the house. That must have been what woke me. I heard the front door go, and now I'm hearing someone rustling through our stuff... not so. I get up to investigate, and just as I enter the living room I a see a bird make three fast runs at our living room window. Thunk, thunk, thunk.

Yes, yes, procede with your awws here. Stupid bloody bird. He's been making this same attempt for over a half hour by now with the same results. Being as I'm a compassionate person, I went and opened the window so whatever reflection he thought he was seeing would be obscured... It's 6:30 folks. I'm tired, and by now just a little testy. I go back to bed hoping to get another hours sleep. I hear several more thwacks and think 'fuck it', just die if you're that stupid.

haven't seen the Robin since, and no, there's no carcass unerneath the window. I checked.

X

Virgin State of Mind.

2006-06-06T22:56:00.000-07:00

The waning blog posts, what can I say. I offered excuses upon excuses, but here's the real reason.

I've been watching the news. Worse! I've been taking it seriously. It starts so insidiously with me. A story will catch my attention during the 5 minute factoid on the radio. If it doesn't take too much time, effort or commitment, I'll look for more indepth details on the net. If it still interests me, I may mention it to DHM during the lunch hour. If he's interested enough we'll catch the evening news... that's how it starts.

Pretty soon I'm listening to full news broadcasts, and from there it doesn't take long until I'm watching or listening to at least 3 news broadcasts a day. And then the psychosis sets in and I start talking back to the news. Reporters are idiots, they don't ask at least three questions I need the answers to, if they ask any intelligent questions to the subject at all... (example of idiot question. Emergency response personel cleaning up after a disaster... reporter asks, Do you feel sorry for the families of these victims? My screaming response to the TV.. 'No you moron, I don't feel sorry for them at all. In fact if they weren't such cheap bastards (making them take the train, or live in a trailer) their loved ones would still be alive!) Seriously, how does any sentient being respond to such assinine questions?

Then we have lurid reporting or as I like to call it, the Valdez Supposition--always fun. A train derailment, a ferry collision, a domestic dispute, the reporter just has to get in that police have not ruled out Alcohol as a contributing factor. At the point in time of the report, the police haven't ruled out little green men from mars as a cause, but no, lets immediately speculate whether the perpetrator[s] had been drinking.

The result of my global edification is that after time it manages to suck every last bit of joy out of me. I can barely find humour let alone joy in life. That's when it's time for a vacation, preferably to some remote region of the world. That's when I get my attitude adjusted, and my perspective checked. Vacation for me is to escape the pit of the rat race I've fallen into. That the news has simply amplified. What are the trends, what I should eat, how much I should exercise, what I should be afraid of (apparently everything, including breathing). On vacation I come to understand that i can live quite happily in a thatched roof cottage, welcoming the geckos (they eat the other nasties), and my greatest concern is a cold beer in the hammock. Western news and concerns are a million miles away, and I'm content once more.

I come home refreshed and replenished, and full of life.

So guess what I'm doing for the next little while? Yep. Planning a vacation. Any destination ideas... must be warm and have a beach.

Big River Ice.

2006-05-30T22:35:00.000-07:00

A river chock full of ice.

Up close and personal.

Pictures

2006-05-29T21:56:00.000-07:00

Aklavik: Downriver from us.

Lousy Picture of the ice. We did get closer, but DHM hasn't downloaded them yet, and his camera is at the office. That red thing on the ice... that's a fuel tank that somehow got dragged along by breaking ice. All the water in the foreground covers the intown airstrip.

Arctic Red (Tsigitchic): these buildings are about 30' higher than the river.. well not right now, but normally you have to go down quite a slope to get to the ferry crossing.

The other great flood.

2006-05-28T23:34:00.000-07:00

It's been quite exciting here the past few days.

A small community downriver was evacuated due to flooding. A community upriver situated on a ramparts of all things, is not under water but the water level is extremely high, and our little burg had the very rare treat of seeing big river ice jam, grind, tumble and then move along at a fast clip when it finally broke free.

It's break up. That time of year when our ice road-closed down due to thin ice- breaks up and is replaced for a few months by the east arm of the Mackenzie River. I've lived here over twenty years, and I've never seen ice like this. It was really something to see.

I'll try and post pictures tomorrow of the three communities. We got quite a few today of our town, the department of highways sent one on Friday showing the high water of the town up river, and a friend took extensive photos of the evacuated community. They seem to have escaped unscathed because none of the houses appear to be under water, although there's water everywhere.

I guess this seems pretty boring when you can't see it for yourself... but yikes it really was exciting today. The river full to the gunnels of blocks of ice and ice floes. Watching huge chunks toss tree trunks stripped bare like itty bitty cabers.

X

Of Scotch and Women

2006-05-26T00:12:00.000-07:00

K, not a song title but it should be.

I think better under the influence. Unrestrained by trifling details, like morality and, well reason. I can come up with the most outrageious solutions to any problem.

There's a saying in the writing community KISS (keep it simple stupid)... under the influence I boil all of the worlds problems down to its simplest form.

So there's been much discussion in the last week about our community's future... where we'll be in 50 years. There were some fairly grandiose visions, and there's nothing wrong with that, but when it comes to municipal planning you really don't need to project modern advancements so much as you need to stick the basics of urban human needs (KISS). To that end I put the kybosh on facilities for electric cars and a mega mall (with a proposed population of 10k). People need, (we're talking urban here), a transportation facility, (roads). Water (preferably potable). And sewer. If you plan those three things well, the growth of the town will rarely have major impact on the quality of life. In other words if you plan well for a population of 10 thousand in the year 2050, it really doesn't matter if you reach the goal or not. You've accomadated for the growth in your plan.

Many didn't want to hear this mundane approach when they were hip deep in hover cars, and vertical parking (as if???) and yet, it's nice, in the scotch buzz, to be right every now and again.

X

Chicken Dance, or (John's Chicken Paprika)

2006-05-19T21:59:00.000-07:00

Sunny Lyn suggested the name change (don't wanna mess with my theme)

This recipe is legend and passed down the family (and now into my family). It was first made for me by an older hungarian man who couldn't seem to cook a small batch of anything. He taught me how to fish, and I fell a little in love with him. Every time we eat it we have to tell stories of John and his twisted english. This meal takes some effort to prepare, a wonderful meal to cook with friends during an afternoon, drink some wine while preparing then sit down and watch a movie whilst it finishes cooking.

Now I can't do all the fancy stuff like Doug does, and I don't have the actual recipe written down anywhere--this is from memory, so I'll try to bold the ingredients as I go.

You'll need a large, heavy bottomed stew pot.

On medium heat melt 2T Butter, add 2 Lg White Onions, halved and sliced thin. Add 1 Lg Red Pepper, 1 Lg Yellow Pepper.sliced as per onions. (this is flexible, red or yellow, it matters not so long as you have two of them.) Add 2 Lg Cloves Crushed Garlic. While that is saute-ing slowly. Slice 3 Med Tomatoes, add to pot. Stir and add Paprika. (Now this is tricky, the Paprika I use is called Spanish Paprika, it's a deep dark red, and a little spicy, I use at least 2T of it... at least. Depending on the size of the pot you may want to go as high as a 1/4 C).

Okay where were we? right .. Paprika. By this time the Onions and Peppers should be very soft and reducing nicely, stir and cover the pot. While you're waiting get the chicken ready. Now you know your guests best, and what else you'll be serving, but this recipe will feed six, nicely, so I'd probably put in 6 Chicken Drumsticks and 6 Chicken thighs. Trim off the excess skin and fat, ignore the slight burning smell coming from the pot, (turn the pot if your burners cook unevenly). By the time the chicken is ready, so should the pot. What you're looking for is a blackened bottom, but not charred, I slight nuance I know, but so long as the burner was on medium the whole time, this shouldn't take more than 10-20 minutes.. the amount of time it takes you to prepare the chicken, see?

Move the onion/pepper mixture out of the way and place the chicken pieces, skin side down, on the blackened bottom. Cover chicken with the onion mixture, add 1/2 jar of hot pickled peppers(without the juice, we're saving that for later) and replace the lid. You can add more, or less peppers here, depending on your palate. Add some pickled jalapeños, red chilli peppers, up to you. This is where the heat comes from.

Saute, covered about 5 minutes, check to see if the skin has taken the colour from the bottom, if it hasn't, cover and wait a few more minutes. Never scrape the bottom. When the chicken has good colour to it loosen from bottom. Add, 1/2 of the juice, from the pickle jar. 1/2t dry Dillweed, 1/2t Salt. Stir, cover, reduce heat. Simmer gently for an 1- 1 1/2 hours. Just before serving stir in 2C sour cream, add more salt if needed... gastronomical orgasms to follow.

This is not a weight conscious meal. Indulge yourself. Homemade egg noodles are divine (hunt down a recipe), John's son, (the heir to the recipe) serves it with creamy cucumber salad, also divine. Trés easy recipe there, slice a cucumber realy thin, let it soak in some of the pepper pickle juice or barring that, vinegar, jalapeno, tobasco and pepper, just before serving drain off vinegar and add whipping cream. You'll lick the bowl I promise. Another idea is to serve with fresh crusty bread. The sauce over the chicken is--well I can't say enough about how good this sauce is--don't be shy about dipping a slice of bread in and sopping it up.

X

Hard Days Night.

2006-05-10T00:31:00.000-07:00

K, I'm back in the saddle after nursing my red wine hangover yesterday. It wasn't as bad as I deserved, just enough to make me lethargic, and useless for the day.

So what exciting things happened in my world today? er, the snow is off the roof. The leaks should stop shortly, and then it's the monumental task of fixing the deck. Blech!

What else? The Spawn finally cracked his times table matrix in under three minutes. Yay, kid. When he gets it down to under two minutes, I get to mess with him and jumble the numbers.

In plant news, every thing but my flower seedlings are doing well. Herbs, check. Vegetables, check. Flowers, not so much. I'm quite despondant about them, I'm not quite sure what I've done wrong this year that's different from other years. I get sprouts, but then they die, or a nasty yellow fungus covers the soil. I so wanted them to be a success this year, sigh, guess it's going to be another expensive sale for the greenhouse. Maybe next year I'll do better.

Well that wasn't very exciting. I could link you to a audio file of a CBC broadcast that casts a slightly different view of the 5 Chinese detainees released to Albania, but that would take time, effort and commitment. Meh.

X

PS if you really want it I'll dig it up tomorrow. too tired now.

X, again

Thank You For Being A Friend.

2006-05-07T23:51:00.000-07:00

I had the best night.

My two favouritist menfolk in the world came over and cooked me dinner and entertained me royally tonight.

I've said it before, but it can't be said enough--I have the best friends!!!!

Chicken paprika (hungarian, and hot), creamy cucumber salad (also hot), and noodles that sadly turned out to be dumplings due to grabbing the flour in the wrong cannister (self-raising instead of plain flour) but it was all good. Copious amounts of wine, solved all the socio-political ills of the world, and still managed a card game.

Is there anything better?

X

I So Clever.

2006-05-07T00:30:00.000-07:00

Look what I did!

Isn't it purty? This is what I've been doing the past few days.

This bureau was DHM's Grandfather's. After handling the piece for the past few days, I have a feeling this was hand made (not by a mastercraftsman). A school project perhaps? beginner carpenter? Best I can age it, without phoning the MIL is 1920's-40's about.

I started the job on Friday, stripped off all the ghastly green paint (why is furniture needing to be stripped always green?), and sanded the wood down to a lovely smooth surface. I didn't remove all the dings , but that's part of its aged charm. Then, because I couldn't sleep last night, I got both coats of staining done. All I had to do today was oil, and oil and oil. On Monday I have to run out and get a buffer, but it be done.

And another project is crossed off the list.

X

The Great Flood of 2006.

2006-05-04T23:57:00.000-07:00

I've sprung a leak. Well, several really.

You may recall that last year we did some renovations to our house. An addition, the roof, and the siding. There were some teensy jobs we knew we still had to do, but gosh, the lions share was done, and summer came, and long story short they never did get done.

That decision has come back to bite me in the ass. The deck, which was supposed to be resealed after the siding was put in place, was merely patched. (Mostly my fault, I'd been under construction for so long, and it was summer time, and I wanted to have one place that wasn't a work zone. I wanted to put my flowers out and enjoy the sun.) We did a quick bandaid job, and thought we'd got the areas that needed work (and only those areas). Not so. Well I'm paying for my indulgence now.

There's pooling water due to rapidly melting snow covering the deck. Being water, it's trying to find the lowest point possible. I've got water everywhere... okay buckets, but if it weren't for buckets I'd have water everywhere. There are three rooms downstairs that are affected, and are directly related to the deck. All I can do for now, is keep emptying the pans, and shovel as much snow as I can.

Sigh, sometimes life isn't a bowl of cherries.

On the plus side though, the sun is shining so brightly and the temperature is rising. If it keeps up like this all the snow should be melted by the end of the weekend. And with the sun coming back, so has my energy levels. I'm a freakin' whirling dervish around the house this week. Projects that have been sitting and waiting for months to get done, have been accomplished in days. So far there's no end in sight to my burst of activity.

Ciao Bellas

X

How Many Times Can you Watch A Movie Before it Gets Old?

2006-05-03T11:47:00.000-07:00

I'm an unashamed movie fiend.

Love them, love them, love them. And I don't require much of them, only that they entertain me for a couple of hours. I've even started a DVD collection, gathering together my favourite movies so I can take them out and watch them whenever I want. (You'll hear my scream if they defunct DVDs any time soon). It's this collection that has brought me to the realisation that there are some madcaps out there that don't share my enthusiasm.

Dearest Husband of Mine, is one of them. He doesn't see the point in revisiting a cinematic experience, (I know, it boggles my mind too.) The good news is he can never remember what he's watched, and he is incapable of remembering a title, so more often than not I get to watch my favourites, and he doesn't even realise until about 45 minutes into the movie that he's seen it before.

But there are some movies I can't stop myself from watching. Some I don't even really like, and yet every time they're on I find myself tuning to that channel. So here is a list, with no particular preference, of movies I've watched over and over and over.

The Net

Practical Magic

Speed (k guess I had a Sandra Bullock thing going)

Starship Troopers (I honestly don't know why this movie holds such fascination for me)
Pulp Fiction

The Ref

The Craft

Hackers

Sleepers

The Andromeda Strain

The Last Starfighter

Jurassic Park

Absolutely ANY gladiator movie that used stop fram animation ("Release the Kracken!" Best line. Evar.) Plus they have those perfectly dreadful voice overs. Pure gold.

Long Kiss Goodnight.

Army of Darkness ("Give me some sugar, baby.")

The Day After Tomorrow

Toy Soldiers

The Breakfast Club

Beverly Hills Cop

Okay, now I'm making myself ill. LOL. If only half of these shows played during a single weekend I'd have an anxiety attack trying to decide which ones to watch. After looking at the list, I can only see three movies which would make my top 10 favourite list.

And no I'm not going to tell you.

A girl has to have some mystery after all.

X

I Swear I Love You.

2006-05-02T13:27:00.000-07:00

Fuck!

Got your attention didn't it? I've had a few discussions with friends lately, regarding swearing, cussing and profanity in books and our own writing. How much to use it, when, why. That sort of thing. It made me mentally analyze books with varying degrees of swearing in them.

Here are a few examples that came to mind.

One character, a bit player in the story, never opened his mouth unless 'God damn bitch' (or whore, or a variation thereof), came out. He was a belligerent, unpleasant person, and his cussing (toward the heroine) merely reinforced my reasons not to like him. But he shared maybe three scenes with the heroine total, and two with other players. As I recall, the heroine in that story didn't swear. A few other characters did, including the hero, but some of it was internal monologue. Does that count? Over all I didn't think the story was filled with 'profanity' and when it was used, it worked well with the emotional impact of the scene.

Then there's Nora Roberts' 'in Death' Characters, Eve and Roarke. Eve swears far more than Roarke, but her Idiot! can come across harsher than a well placed fuck. Roarke swears when he's really pissed (usually at Eve). These books are my first real experience where the heroine cusses on a regular basis, and is in fact part of her character, for me it works. It emphasises her impatience with the rest of the human race.

I know when I'm writing an intense scene (probably an argument) my characters will use God damn, and dammit every frickin line... Happily I clean it up during second and third read-throughs, but to get the impact down initially, yeah they swear like troopers. However, if, after several read-throughs, I still found an over-abundance of swearing, my anal retentive bean counting personality would insist that I limit the amount of cussing done to a finite number. Like six per character. Then I'd have to pour over the scenes to sprinkle the swearing in the most crucial places. Seriously, this is how my brain works.

But the point... yes there was one, just took me a hell of a long time to get there. The use of swearing in books does not bother me so long as it works for the character and the situation. It actually bothers me more to have 'gratuitous' swearing in movies... er, except the movie, 'The Commitments'. Somehow, fuck you coming out of everyone's mouth (in an Irish accent) all the time didn't seem out of place at all. In fact I came out of the theatre trying to imitate exactly how the characters pronounced it. Sort of a fook yer.

X

Mona Lisa

2006-04-30T20:40:00.000-07:00

So I read, 'The Da Vinci Code' last week and spent most of today watching National Geographic channel exploring all kinds of grail myths, and supposed Bible cover ups.

Sadly the book doesn't live up to its hype. Under other circumstances (ie no hype) I think I would have loved it. Perhaps that's the way new comers to JK Rowlins feel, that, 'what's with all the big whoop?' sentiment. But I was lucky enough to get in on the ground floor of that elevator. I appreciated the scope of the imaginary world she created, and delighted in reading it to the Spawn. Now however, I hesitate to even mention my liking for the books because there is such a literary backlash surrounding her [the books] success.

Back to the Da Vinci Code. The ancient 'secret' really appealed to my anti-catholic church sentiments, and the oppression of my feminine self. (well females in general, but it IS all about me.) Then there was the whole, modern day, cloak and dagger aspect of it. Two poor schmos on the run, not knowing who they can trust. The well crafted scenario that the very people one would normally turn to for help, people in power, with the knowledge to help, being the very place they can't turn, even suspects themselves.

Juicy stuff.

But there was all that hype and, well, I expected more. I'm not sure what exactly. More of an attack against the church. More finger pointing at the church in the present day murder. Just more to justify all the outrage surrounding the story. Unless of course the outrage is to do with the fictional secret, (no I don't believe it.)

My advice? If you like well crafted conspiracy mysteries, wait five years, I'm sure you'll really enjoy it then, when all the hoopla is but a dim memory.

As for the shows I watched, well some had merit, some were simply lurid sensationalism. Okay, I'm predisposed to look upon the teachings of Christianity with a very jaundiced eye. I was blessed with a questioning mind, and as a child questioned everything that didn't 'make sense', which is basically the whole Bible LOL. Sadly, for my immortal soul, the answers given by mostly ill prepared and condescending adults were unsatisfactory. And so they lost me, as, over the years, I supplied my own answers. So watching programs about the gnosis writings, disregarded gospels, and investigations on the truth of the da vinci code secret, really leant credence to all my deep rooted mistrust of everything 'churchified'. And church representatives do nothing to further their arguments--their rightness (at least not to me). When will they learn to just shut up. Don't they understand yet that their denials have less credibility than the CIAs? And like the CIA have in fact become big flaming admissions.

So that's how I spent my weekend, what did you do?

X

If music be the food of love, iPod is the bubble gum.

2006-04-27T11:07:00.000-07:00

Do the Ipod Shuffle

I stole this from Mel, who stole from Shannon etc, but dang it's fun and ironic and at times weirdly apropos

Put your iTunes/iPod on shuffle. Say the following questions aloud, and press play. Use the song title as the answer to the question. Next question, next song. NO CHEATING.

1. How does the world see you? You're In My Heart by Rod Stewart (I kid you not!)

2. Will I have a happy life? I'd Rather Be In Love by Michelle Branch (Apparently we can't have both.)

3. What do my friends think of me? An Innocent Man by Billy Joel (No, really? I think my friends are smoking the happy weed again)

4. Do people secretly lust after me? Runaway by Del Shannon (Them? Me? what? This is very ambiguous.)

5. How can I make myself happy? Full Force Gale by Van Morrison (er, I have nothing to say to this.)

6. What should I do with my life? Foolish Games by Jewel (AAAHAHAHAHAAAAA Because what I'm doing now makes so much sense... oh that was a lung loser, that one.)

7. Will I ever have children? Alison by Elvis Costello (perhaps there's a sex change op in our future???)

8. What is some good advice for me? Wild Horses by Rolling Stones (In a full force gale perhaps?)

9. How will I be remembered? Oh My by Big Wreck (AAAAHAHAHAHAAAAAA again! The only way this could be funnier... Big Wreck by Oh My.)

10. What’s my signature dancing song? Haunted by Evanescence (No.)

11. What’s my current theme song? X & Y Coldplay (Again, no.)

12. What do others think is my current theme song? But Not For Me by Rod Stewart (Me either.)

13. What shall they play at my funeral? Mystify by INXS (ROFLMAO.)

14. What type of men do I like? Embraceable You by Rod Stewart (Aww, that's sweet.)

15. How’s my love life? Dazed and Confused by Led Zeppelin (This week, you bet.)

Who else wants to play? Leave a note in comments, I'd love to read them.

X

Meme: A retropsective.

2006-04-26T20:48:00.000-07:00

Lyn is responsible for this inspirational post.

20 years ago:
1986, Ah... I was young and thin. I may even have been wrinkle free. Does it matter what else happened? Oh all right... I was planning my wedding around that time. We would be married the following June. I didn't plan much as I recall. It was going to be a quasi elopement without actually leaving town, an outside civil ceremony with no bells or whistles, no guests except witnesses--much to the chagrin of DHM's family... friends arranged things slightly differently (as our friends are wont to do). Good times, good times.

10 years ago:
1996, This one reawakened a few dormant brain cells. DHM and I were touring around California after the big NCTA conference. We drove up from LA along the coast road. Stopped in San Luis Obisbo(sp?). DHM lived there for a while, long before he met me, But I think it was a good time in his life as he speaks often of his exploits there. It was a rediscovery trip on may levels as I remember. We'd left the Spawn with his grandma, and DHM and I got to act like we were a couple again instead of Mummy, and Daddy. It was my first trip to San Fransisco. DHM was eager to show me all the sights, but I much preferred Sausalito.

Things went all to hell when we got back, but that trip was a success.

5 years ago:
April 2001, would have been about the time I began writing. It was still pretty much a lark, a determination to see if I could be in the 1% who actually finished a book. Well I did, and I'm still writing, and it doesn't seem so damn funny anymore.. so you. the person who dared me in the first place, thank you very bloody much for beginning an obsession that won't let me go.

1 year ago:
April 2005, Homeschooling was in full swing. Raised the Spawn's reading level by two grades. Trying to figure out a strategy for more independent study on his part. (still working on that btw)

1 Month ago:
er.. let's see, that would be March 26th, pretty sure I was doing what I usually do. Might have had guests, might not. Who can remember?

Yesterday:
See previous post.

The Long and Winding Road

2006-04-25T22:53:00.000-07:00

Wow, it's been a week already.

I've been wandering around the house rather at loose ends wondering what to do with myself, and always with the vague feeling that I'm not doing something I SHOULD! and I just realised today that I don't have any guests at the moment, nor any expected. My time has been my own and I had no idea what to do with it. Seriously, I've been reduced to doing housework (Horrors!)

That said, it has taken the Spawn and I a while to get back to pre-vacation hours, so my day's have been going to hell from the time I wake up; lessons spill over into the afternoon, and then I'm pretty much going flat out until supper time. Then there's friends popping over randomly (cause they missed me... aw shucks), not every night, but often enough that solid me time has been unattainable... and, well, that's my excuse and I'm sticking to it.

Then there's DHM, who seems to be under the impression I'm superwoman (or simply that I'm not busy enough), and every lunch hour comes home and heaps a few more things on my list of things to do. Now I rarely criticise him, he's a keeper for sure. But today he would have looked lovely wearing my cast iron pan as a head adornment. Suggestions for today included, (and please keep in mind we had yet to finish lessons), that I print out and take care of the insurance forms and send them out to our agent, get the deck shoveled of snow, (so he could take care of the leaky roof, before it begins to leak in earnest), pop on down to the office and help the payroll clerk with the new payroll software, oh yeah, and if I could, get the rest of the screws and nails out of the exposed beams/studs in the spare bedroom so we can put up the new walls. Some how I was to manage all this between 1-5, have the house tidy, and supper ready by 6 (these last two are not his dictates but my own)... now I'm good, at times, dare I say, exceptional. But even I can't manage all that in 4 hours. Sigh, I managed one of his little tasks, and all of mine.

Some good news on the writing front however, I have been writing. I wrote while I was on vacation, and even since I got back. I'm using a note book for most of this story. Because the beginning is hugely narrative/descriptive world building, the scenes don't flow as I'm used to and I pause often to mull things over. I find the notebook allows my eyes the freedom to ignore crap that's staring right at me, unlike the computer screen (if you could see my appalling hand writing you'd understand, I could have been a doctor with my scrawl (Sorry, Doug.)). The challenge now is to transcribe everything while it's still fresh; before I forget what I was trying to convey, and I can no longer decipher my squiggly scratchings.

And i think I've run out of things to say, and the DHM is wanting sex.

Cinderella, Cinderella...

X

Viva Las Vegas!

2006-04-18T10:41:00.000-07:00

Yes, I'm back.

Lots to tell about the trip, many fun adventures. So where to start? Our journey began with a lengthy delay at the airport caused by bad weather in the midwest US (a portent?). Instead of leaving at 2pm we left at 6pm missing our connection in Denver (by 10 lousy minutes and a lung losing dash through the airport)... overnight in Denver. Depart at some unnatural hour and arrive in Las Vegas shortly after 8am--too early to check into any civilized hotel. Fortunately, we weren't booked into a civilized hotel (sidenote: Don't wait until the last minute to book a hotel room for a mega sized conference, you WILL be disappointed). Ah, Somerset House Motel... if you go to hotel websites and travel advisory sites, the phrase, 'affordable and clean' are repeated often. Affordable, yes. Clean? Well the sheets and towels were changed daily, but this place was clean like my house is tidy. Under normal circumstances we wouldn't even have considered this place, but as I already stated, late booking and proximity to the convention centre made this motel appealing. But not for long.

Now this was an impromptu trip, DHM included the spawn and I in part because he'd been travelling so much and in part because we haven't been away together as a family since 2000. The thought was, we could soak up some sun, play in a pool, and at night see the sights together... the best laid plans. The pool at Somerset House was out of service, and any other amenities this motel offered were mean at best, so the spawn and I wandered the streets of Las Vegas by day, and were generally foot sore and very tired by night, not a great start to our 'vacation'. But on a positive note, there is so much to see and do in Vegas, there was no way we could cram it all in.

On the Wednesday, (the day the conference was scheduled to start) I phoned around to some other hotels hoping for last minute cancellations. I scored at the Hilton, but they wouldn't have a room until Thursday, still it was looking up. The spawn and I finally got two days beside a pool, and really, it wasn't nearly long enough, but another positive note, I didn't get burned to a crisp.

On Saturday we rented a car (a red sporty convertable) perfect for touring around the Mohave desert (yes, I'm being sarcastic). Actually this was the really fun part of our trip. We love driving around, getting off the highways and visiting little out of the way places. Our destination was Palm Springs, but we weren't leaving there until Monday, so we had lots of time to putz around. The last time we were in Vegas, we travelled north, up through Utah, then down into Arizona, and back to Vegas... this time we went South. The terrain was different, starker, not as impressive or imposing as going north, but gosh I liked it. The heat, the expanse, it reminded me a lot of where I grew up (South Australia). We drove into Palm Springs around 6pm on Sunday evening and returned to Canada without incident. Okay DHM changed his schedule and went on to whitehorse instead of accomanying us to Edmonton, so a small incident.

Edmonton. LOL, What day was it, the 9th? I intended to spend a few days shopping and return home no later than Friday, which is what I told everyone. But geez, the sun was shining so brightly, the temperature was primed for spring, I'd just spent a week in lovely, lovely dry heat. I knew I'd be returning to 2 more months of winter yet, soooo...

Friday morning I was up. We were packed. The spawn was loading the luggage into the car. My sister-in-law was helping and waiting in the garage while I smoked a last cigarette before we hit the road for the airport when my mother-in-law had a bright idea to tease my SIL/travel agent (yes she's also a very talented travel agent, Somerset house notwithstanding). MIL went into the garage and asked if she could change my tickets because I didn't want to leave just yet. Keep in mind we're 2 hours from flight time. SIL comes rushing out to confirm if this is what I really want to do. Friends, it's 7am. I'm still sucking back my first coffee and my eyes are barely open, of course I said, 'sure.'

So she rushed in to change my tickets again, and I spent a lovely, sunny weekend in Edmonton.

And that was my trip.

X

Leaving On A Jet Plane

2006-04-03T10:52:00.000-07:00

I'm out of town for a week, I'm not sure if I'll have inet access at my destination. (Vegas)
but a week by a pool while DHM goes conferencing wasn't to be passed up.

Catch ya later, dudes, and hopefully I'll get a bit of sun. My, Tide-ultra-bright-white skin needs some colour.

X

Forgiveness.

2006-03-29T15:19:00.000-08:00

Twice this week I've had conversations with my writing friends regarding forgiveness and the importance of forgiving. So I thought the subject would make a good blog.

This happens more in category than in other genres, but it does happen.

The thing is, in a book I tend to immerse myself in the character's problems, and too often I find that at the end, the character almost betrays my support by turning around and forgiving the very person I've been trained/encouraged/expected to loathe.

Parents that cannot be pleased and left the character with life long inadequacies.
A father denying his daughter a place in his business because he only sees her as a decoration.
A self absorbed mother, threatened that her daughter may eclipse her. Or worse, unforgivable things.
Lies that break up a marriage.
Lies regarding a pregnancy, or parentage.
Lies about an affair.

So these acts are performed against our characters. The results ruined their lives and usually are a great part of what holds them back from finding their happiness in the present situation. Sometimes the character is aware of the treachery or problem from page one, other times we learn of it right along with him/her, yet almost always, by the resolution, the character has confronted the wrong doer and if not forgiven them, let go of the pain. And frankly, I don't get it. I don't get the psychology (if that is even the right term), of a few words erasing years of pain and making everyone better. I don't get the whole trend that forgiveness is part of the growth of the character (like a 12 step program), a tying up of the loose ends of the story. That somehow the character isn't complete unless understanding or forgiveness takes place during the confrontation. Or, if they don't, there's an implication they aren't a good person.

Maybe, it's that it isn't done well enough to ring true. Almost like a, gosh we're near the end and she hasn't resolved her issues with daddy yet--must resolve those... and my burning question is why? Or why is forgiveness practically always the only acceptable option to make him/her a decent human being? Rarely is the solution to accept that your parents suck, to say, guess what, I'm going to have a good life regardless. No, by the end we have to have happy families, or the seeds planted that the relationship will be saved in the future.

So again I ask why? Why do our characters need to forgive?

Any and all answers will be greatly appreciated.

X

The Ugly American

2006-03-26T14:15:00.000-08:00

Don't be afraid, it ends well.

Before 9/11, before the war in Iraq, Americans had a pretty bad rep overseas. I'd witnessed it, been appaled* by it and yet I could never quite reconcile what I personally knew of Americans with this other ugly image.

I've been to the States many times, on vacation, for business. I have so many wonderful American friends whom I treasure, and, friend or stranger I've never been treated less than graciously in the US, so it's easy for me to see how many of my US friends are puzzled by their bad reputation. It wasn't until recently I thought I may have stumbled upon part of the answer. A theory anyway.

It happened one night when a friend was complaining about poor service he'd received at a check-in counter at an airport. The conversation went to service in general and examples of good and bad service we'd received at different times in our lives. Without exception our collective experience of great service occured whilst in the States, and we admired how spoilt and catered to we felt when in the States.

You live in a commerce driven society. The customer is always right, and keeping the customer happy generates repeat business. (I'm going to amend here with an 'in general' because, of course, we've all had bad experiences. but in general, the service in the States is excellent). This level of service is a treat for the rest of us, you guys (Americans) live with it everyday. You probably don't even realise how unique it is. Now let's transplant an average Joe American with that expectation of service into a society where commerce is not the driving factor, where the customer doesn't reign supreme, and you can see where I'm going with this.

There's affront that servers aren't going the extra distance to meet your needs (whatever those may be). Frustration, and a little bewilderment that they (the servers) don't seem to care one way or another if you spend your money in their place of business. Is it any wonder then, that these frustrations boil over? From your view, these people are rude, lazy and incompetent. But. From their view, you are rude, arrogant and demanding for expecting to be treated 'special' because you're waving money around. After all, none of their other customers are acting this way, and they have money to spend too. Of course Americans don't expect to be treated specially from everyone else, they simply expect the same level of service they'd get back home, and therein lies the problem.

There is a difference in how other societies expect to interact with each other within that society. Neither view is right or wrong, it is just different. Anyway, that's my theory to partly explain the ugly American moniker. For my part, I love going to the states and being treated like a pampered princess, it's nothing less than my due afterall.

X

*apalled? meh I can't figure out the spell checker, and i just don't care enough to look it up in my dictionary...so shoot me.

P.S. I may have figured out my blogger probs. Apparently I've been using the wrong browser, and a lot of functions don't work with Safari... switching to Firefox.

It's in His Kiss

2006-03-23T15:37:00.000-08:00

Courtesy of Ann, a blog thing.

Your Famous Movie Kiss is from Spiderman

"I have always been standing in your doorway. Isn't it about time somebody saved your life?"

What Famous Movie Kiss Are You?

Who knew I'd go for sweetly devoted?

X

Blogger Alert

2006-03-23T15:23:00.000-08:00

Heads up.

You might want to check out your letter verification aspect in comments.

A friend tried to post to my blog last night and couldn't because the letter verification kept failing, oddly enough this happened at the same time I was trying to comment on someone elses (Kris', darned smetina)blog without luck. Anyway I turned of that function on my blog and everything was fine.

X

The Secret Life of X

2006-03-22T20:27:00.000-08:00

I've travelled quite a bit. I'm not a stranger to the routines of hotels, planes, and airports. What I'm about to tell you I've never told another living soul, but my secret life revolves around the cab ride to or from the airport.

For the most part I'm an honest person--For the most part.

But something happens to me when I get inside a cab and a whole other world opens up to me.

"So where have you been?" The cabbie might ask, or, "So, what do you do for a living?"

Those two little questions release an habitual liar inside an otherwise straight shooter. Either of those questions and away I go, into a fantastical morass of lies about a make believe life, that I'm sure is a product of constantly creating characters in my head... in the cab, suddenly, I can become any fictional character I want.

For a fairly private person, having the unbridled freedom to simply make shit up to a captive audience is.... It is nothing less than exhilirating.

In these magical taxi rides I've been a human resources manager for an oil company, coming back from a training seminar. I've returned from Bahrain where my husband is stationed, (he's an engineer helping with the latest water capture and storage systems), I've worked for the forestry industry, been a buyer for a designer (specialising in leather) the lies are never ending. And so much damn fun.

There's also the terror of discovery. Can I pull it off this time? Will this be the ride where the person I'm talking to actually knows something about the bullshit I'm shovelling? What will I do if I'm called on it, confess all? Brazen it out?

So, wanna come on a cab ride with me and be anyone you want? I'll back you up, promise.

X

Blogging,

2006-03-11T16:27:00.000-08:00

seems to be the hardest word.

or, a funny thing happened to me on the way to my blog.

Both these are appropriate. I've visited my dashboard about 4 times in an attempt to post something to my blog this week and every time I was distracted by the lure of procrastination... 'ooh look, Doug has a new post--with links', that'll kill an hour. "Katie-poo, is on a tear again, and look. More links.' One night I actually had a solid idea for a blog, post about my transcendent experiences in Office Supply stores, except just thinking about it sent me off in a trance as I imagined the pen aisle, all the neat post it crap in a crayon box of colours, but the kicker was the virtual smell of the Sharpies... mmm Sharpies.

oops sorry, nearly lost me again.

So here I am blogging about my inability to blog and the question is, why? Why am I finding it so difficult? I mean, good grief, it's not like I don't enjoy talking about myself. It's my favourite freakin subject, and yet I come here and I feel restrained somehow. I realise this is all in my mind and yet, my early experiences with message boards have sort of indoctrinated me with a generic posting personality... Yeah, there's the odd fuck you (woo hoo, I'm a rebel), but nothing too controversial. Nothing confrontational, and heaven forfend I should actually take a stand and really voice my opinion.. (cause I have one or two you know, very strong ones LOL).

Then there's the whole, writer website = potential sale. I mean the reason I began blogging in the first place was to have a presence on the web, (cause, I was gonna sell any day now, you know), and so I had to be neat as a new pin. Likeable, interesting, but not offensive or controversial... and this is the restraint I feel. Could also be why I've lost a lot of interest in getting published. Cause I don't want to be a writer if I have to be this plastic person (ie, not be/act myself). But that's a wee bit off track and obviously there's much room for many more blogs on THIS subject...

But back to interesting posts and my fear of them. Sure I'll agree, or add a different perspective to a subject on somebody elses blog, but hey, they're the ones getting the hate mail if they piss someone off, not me. they're the ones that went out on the limb to discuss 'that' subject, not me.

And dammit, it should be about ME. Me me me me!

So we'll see if I can come out of my shell. Leave the tea party mentality behind and invite you all over for a cosy chat which includes wine, swearing, hard liquor, and the occassional 'my tits are bigger than yours' game.

X

After Posted: Why, why, WHY! do I always spell this with two s? occassional???

Hurts So Good

2006-02-28T11:34:00.000-08:00

Enjoying yourself is fine, but only if it is beneficial, or so moderate as to barely raise a brow of the meanest fitnik. This seems to be the prevailing message these days.

So many people I talk to feel the need to qualify any desultory indulgence they may participate in, and it drives me nuts. Why this need to explain anything that isn't deemed 'good' for you? Why does everything we do HAVE to be good for us? The answer of course is, it doesn't have to be good for us, but there are some who think it should.

Health is the latest social religion, or perhaps it more accurate to say, the latest class system, and believers are zealous in spreading the gospel of Mania, Lean, and Jog. The elite are of course the fit, the trim, the beautiful. The untouchables are people like me, who refuse to buy into the doctrine. There's been a significant shift in the last twenty or so years. Have you noticed how people aren't fat anymore? they're certainly not overweight--they're obese. Society is obligated to try and convert these individuals, if they refuse the doctrine, they should be looked down on, after all it's only their own slovenly choices that have put them in the 'class' they're in. Which brings me to the next part of my rant.

Underlying all these messages, all these beliefs, is that poor health is preventable. This is quite possibly true to some extent, but I'm watching with growing concern a movement in this country to qualify healthcare and there's a sinister undertone to it. Anyone who gets sick only has themselves to blame. It's also quite alright to blame them, to deny them... to look down on them as lesser than the vitamin popping, gym going brigade. After all, if the fitniks get sick it couldn't possibly be anything 'they' did wrong. And yet, I can't quite blame them entirely. It's an easy brainwashing pit to fall into.

Food ads are always pimping some latest, vitamin of the month, ingredient (right now it's omega 3). There are drugs for whatever ails ya, or better yet, drugs for what doesn't ail ya, (and if you take these drugs/vitamins it never will). A day doesn't go by when you're not being informed of a latest study on this or that, telling you (dare we say, proving) that Y may prevent (name anything), or Z greatly increases your chances of getting (name anything, but it's always juicier, if you use the C word).

So it's not terribly surprising, this need to excuse those other, less healthy choices, with so many messages being broadcast daily about our health and healthy living. But let's face it, guilt and I are barely nodding aquaintances, and it is beyond me to feel guilty or ashamed for enjoying this life I've been given. So, just so we're all clear, here are my most unguilty pleasures.

I eat fat. All sorts, and what the healthniks have done to the dairy section of our grocery stores is a crime against food (I'm sorry, if you actually think it's possible to have fat free yoghurt, you have no understanding of what yoghurt is, ditto milk & cream. Turn vegan. Take a freakin calcium tablet, but leave the dairy section alone).

I drink. Not a delicate glass or two of red wine over dinner either. I've been known to get roaring drunk. I've curled up around a toilet. I've phoned a friend at 3 am. I've even taken over a karaoke bar. And had a grand time doing it. (okay the toilet thing maybe not so much, but I sure enjoyed myself before that!)

I watch TV, unbelievably crappy TV. Yes, even those dreadful reality shows. Bite me. There's a very comfy dent in my couch to prove my TV watching prediliction.

I have done reckless things in my life, I may even have run with scissors, okay the last two, not so much a guilty pleasures, just proving that I don't live in an hermatically sealed bubble of health and wellness.

And that's my rant for the week.

X

If I Had a Million Dollars

2006-02-28T00:42:00.000-08:00

Found this quiz over at Kris' place (yes I know it's supposed to be Kris's these days, fuck off.)

9 lasts:
last cigarette: 15 minutes ago
last beverage: A very fine single malt Scotch
last kiss: DHM
last movie seen: The Constant Gardener
last phone call: Dentist
last cd played: Joss Stone
last bubble bath: gosh, years and years??? (No bath tub as yet, still using showers)
last time you cried: This morning, reading a sappy novel.

8 have you evers:
have you ever dated one of your best friends: No
have you ever skinny dipped: Yes
have you ever kissed somebody and regretted it: Yes
have you ever fallen in love: Duh! Yes
have you ever lost someone you loved: Yes
have you ever been depressed: Yes
have you ever been drunk and thrown up: Olympic gold medalist

7 states you've been to:
1. California
2. New York
3. Nevada
4. Utah
5. Arizona
6. Washington
7. Louisianna

6 things you've done today:
1. Dentist appointment
2. laundry
3. potted
4. cooked
5. played chess with the Spawn
6. blog whored

5 favorite things in no order:
1. Wild monkey sex that recalls the stamina of my youth
2. eating with friends
3. drinking with friends
4. arguing/debating/conversing with friends
5. Movie nights

4 people you can tell [almost] anything to:
1. Chenda
2. Russell
3. Paul
4. Carrie

3 wishes:
1. Have a beautiful garden
2. Live somehwere temperate
3. Write a bestseller

2 things you want to do before you die:
1. See the wonders of the world (ancient or modern or natural, it matters not)
2. Become adventurous

1 thing you regret:
1. I gave up every opportunity to learn a musical instrument

A Hard Rain's Gonna Fall

2006-02-27T22:45:00.000-08:00

Since we last met, gentle reader, I've once more entered the mysterious realm of the home gardening enthusiast. Again I'm filled with hope that THIS year I'll have a bumper crop of seedlings. Of my previous efforts (and I've done this off and on for about ten years now) I've had success once. Once in ten years. How pathetic is that? All I can say is I'm really glad there's not an activist group like, PETA, for plants, cause I'd be on their hit list.

Other things that have captured my attention this week.

Dan brown is being sued for plagurism of an historical tome... apparently some historians did some research and wrote a book on their findings. This isn't really news to anyone in literary circles, but it's interesting nonetheless. Dan Brown, that bastard, was so struck by this research that he wrote a 'fictional' story and made pots of money on it, much more than those fusty old historians. Bitterness ensues, and I'm agog to learn the outcome of this case.

Canadian olympiads were being chastised for reaming the competition. This could only happen in Canada, where a team (women's hockey) were being criticised for totally anihilating the opposition. With the national attitude being 'go for the bronze', and to apologise for being better than someone at something, you can kinda, sorta, see where this is coming from, but still, it boggles the mind.

Oh crap, there were about five things I wanted to discuss when I started writing this blog, now I can't remember the half of them.

Oh yeah, apparently we're all just seconds away from death when we fly, due to near misses (emphasis on near) above our busiest airports. It's stories like this that make me absolutely crazy, and why, when I watch the news, I end up arguing at an inanimate object. The TV. Whatever happened to the notion that the news would be full of, oh, what's the word I'm looking for... facts. Silly me, these days, the news is filled with hypotheticals. It could happen here! What if it did happen here?! Spare me!!!! (extra points for, Doug). No really, I shouldn't watch the news. It does nothing but raise my blood pressure and make me want to hurl something large at the TV. I loathe mainstream newscasts that treat everything like a very bad version TLC's 'World's Greatest (insert parameter here) Disasters'.

And last but not least, I almost, very nearly, opened my WIP document this weekend. I haven't written nought but a line (which literally had me leaping out of bed to find my notebook so I could jot it down), since November. I'm not sure what the block is there. I have the beast almost entirely plotted out, yet for some reason I can't bring myself to face it. I think I'm daunted by the scope and perhaps intimidated by the amount of work involved to bring this story to life. Mayhap I'll have to stick to the note book for a little while longer.

Well that's it for me for a while. How was your week?

X

Keep Myself Awake

2006-02-19T23:27:00.000-08:00

Did I mention my new computer?

I spent the weekend battling with the transfer of files. All I have to say is, Steve Jobs has a lot to answer for for turning my miraculous Macs into fucking PCs. I'll spare you the mental rant (verging on tears) that occured during this process, suffice to say if I had a list like the FBI most wanted, or Bill O'Reilly, Steve Jobs would probably top it right about now.

In other news. My precious wonderous book files are once again safely housed and accessible. Strange how I haven't even looked at them since November, but boy oh boy, the mere possibility that I couldn't access them sent me into a serious anxiety moment.

Blog whoring going well. I got so involved reading an online discussion I even spent a portion of my time searching out and learning about fiat currency (yes this is how anal I am).

The weekend went as most of my weekends have gone lately. Friends over and far too much red wine consumed followed by a killer hangover on Sunday. Red wine, while excellent going down, should not be consumed by the multiple bottles. The body objects strongly on so many levels. I blame this all on my men folk who troll the liquor store looking for new 'labels' to try. The Bastards!

What else, what else. oh yeah. I'm registered for the Atlanta conference. So that will be great, to see all my writing buddies and crit partners (sometimes they're one and the same) again. These are people I share something so private, so intimate with... honestly, sex has less exposure than I have with these women. And when you think about it. The trust involved in baring your creative sweat to others... wow. It just makes me appreciate them that much more. For their support, encouragement, and absolute empathy. Perhaps only another artist could understand.

Merciful Zeus, I started out whiny and ended up maudlin. Time for another scothc, and to sign out methinks.

Cheers,

X

I've Got The Music In Me.

2006-02-17T15:36:00.000-08:00

The new computer arrived. Yay!

I have to wait until Dearest Husband of Mine gets home with his laptop to begin transfering all my book files. So I've spent most of the afternoon trying to figure out how to transfer my music files over (priorities, man). Thanks to the wonderful program developer of Senuti, I managed to transfer directly from my ipod (great big hugs) I'm so squee at the moment. At least my reading this afternoon informed me a little more on the intricacies of itunes and music libraries and such. Annoyed and frustrated but a bit better educated.
Don't get me wrong. I LOVE being able to purchase just one song. What I detest is the automatic assumption that I will get up to criminal activity with this music, and the built in protections to prevent this. It's very very insulting. So on the one hand, yay! being able to purchase just the great songs off an album, on the other, I want to boycott the whole thing.

Yes I'm fickle.

X

Added after post: I swear, sometimes I am too stupid to live. For the last week my blog has looked funny to me. the side bar disappeared to the bottom of the posts. Just now I grabbed the expander tab at the bottom right of the window and made the window larger and my sidebar popped back to where it was supposed to be. sigh. Somedays, I tell ya...

The Ayes Have It.

2006-02-15T23:39:00.000-08:00

There are a lot of political blogs out there these days. Some with excellent coverage and informed readership. A repetitive theme on a lot of these blogs is the erosion or undermining of the principals of democracy. An incident happened up my way recently which made me think about how easy most of us have it when we exercise our democratic rights.

Any regular of my blog knows that our area is knee deep in hearings regarding a proposed pipeline to transport our natural gas to the south. One small community along the route held a vote last week to decide if they would allow the pipeline to pass through their land. This is a fairly small, isolated community and this issue has been a divisive one. Some people in positions of power and influence have been applying pressure in this community to vote against the pipeline. So what's the big deal about that, you might ask? Let the democratic process take its course.

The vote went 104/80 against the pipeline. I was disappointed in the results, but didn't think any more of it; they'd exercised their rights and the decision was made. That is until I found out it was a public vote by a show of hands.

Knowing how strongly some people feel about the pipeline and how frightening some people's passions can be, I had to rethink my views on that democratic process. What an uncomfortable, maybe frightening position to be in. And I really have to applaud the courage of those 80 people who stood up in a public meeting and went against the leaders. They were marked and noted, and I'm sure, for some, the next little while will not be easy or comfortable for them.

But it made me wonder about my own principals. would I be brave enough to vote for what I believe in in the face of overwhelming condemnation, and perhaps reprisals? I don't think I like the answer. Do you?

X

Age of Aquarius

2006-02-12T17:30:00.000-08:00

Kate's got thirty inches.

And as I was over at her blog showing a complete lack of sympathy for her plight, I was reminded that the sun has come back. Yay! and I'm daily being treated to a spectacular colour display due to our hours long sunsets that dazzle the horizon every afternoon. Perhaps soon I'll even get out of this miserable funk and stop being a snarling bitch to everyone. I may even get back to being a fun gal to be around. Here's hoping.

Oh, and the new computer should be here next week. No more struggling with this 'very' large keyboard. No more typos that aren't liquor induced. )although I'm promising nothing)

X

Lazy Blog

2006-02-08T10:16:00.000-08:00

Go on, take the test. You know you want to.

At the Hop

2006-02-06T22:15:00.000-08:00

No idea why this title, just felt kind of peppy.
Been blog whoring a lot the last several days. Bopping around some truly awesome current affairs blogs and reading many articulate arguments on a number of subjects. Which I will not bore you with here. Suffice to say it satisfied my eternal need for informed discourse.

On the weekend I broke my laptop. It's still laying in several pieces on my living room floor mocking my ineptitude (it may be fixable, but not by me). And so I'm borrowing himself's puter for a little bit. We do have another, table-top computer, but man it's awkward to sit at (at least it seems that way now). Plus we use the TV as the monitor, so access to that puter is always at the whim of the viewing masses.

What else has been happening around here? I'm refurbishing a small chest of drawers. From everything I've gathered online I can't rush to make it pretty, I have to get all the paint off (which is a pain in the ass) and do all the repairs before doing any staining etc. This unit isn't exactly dazzling in it's beauty, it is very old, and very plain, but I think once it's gussied up it will look very stylish where ever I put it. Right now it's in the upstairs storing candles and notepads and... crap. LOL (the drawers are fairly small, not even high enough to store DVDs in (which would have been wonderful but alas...)).

I've also finally made a move to get some work done on our walk in closet, well I've remeasured the area, and made some preliminary drawings of where I want the hangers to be. Hopefully, on the weekend, dearest husband of mine will cut the melamine and we can hang up our clothes, yay!

Spawn is coping somewhat with being a mean-ager. Mum not so much. Why can't we put these kids on Prozac, why WHY? Seriously, I'm getting tired of going from angelic helper to watching his head spin around his neck. Of course the worst is never knowing which one you'll meet when you ask him anything, Angel or demon? And this has just begun whimper-whine-I-wanna-curl-up-until-he-goes-to-college-whine-whimper.

So since I last posted I've
Inhaled way too much paint stripper
had 37 power struggles with the Spawn (btw, that's just a rough estimate, I'm sure the actual figure is much much higher)
contemplated using the table saw (thankfully some latent ,common sense gene, woke up kicking and screaming and I walked away from that one)
Settled for drafting the plans for the WIC
Gone to the hospital 3 times in abortive attempt to get a urine test done (for insurance purposes)
Played transportation monitor whilst DHM travelled the ice road and due to a miscommunication nearly sent up a red flag when I 'thought' they were an hour and a half over due (turns out my phone went dead just as DHM was relaying the pertinent info to let me know they'd hit a snag and would be very late)... 3 am I went off duty, everyone home safe and sound.

So that's the weekend round-up for me.

What did you do?

X

Why don't you all? Why don't you all? Why don't you all get fucked!

2006-02-02T22:42:00.000-08:00

Hey it beats running up the nearest clock tower with an AK47.

Vile, bitching. Pisser! of a mood these days. No idea why, the only time in my life I've been more vile has been those times I tried to give up smoking. Uberevilbitchdemonfromthesixthlevelofhell.
Methinks little suzy homemaker is trying to wear too many hats and wearing them all poorly. I don't deal well with inadequacy. Being a pathetic overacheiver my whole life, failing in any area burns me something fierce. So for the next little while don't expect any sweetness and light or reasonable counsel from this quarter.

X
Wallowing.

Of course, I could just be PMSing.

I Always Knew.

2006-01-29T23:00:00.000-08:00

Doug's comment here gave me an idea for this post.

Home remedies. (sorry Doug I have no clue what one would use chinese elm sap for, or even what a chinese elm is).

I grew up on home remedies. In the days pre-dating universal healthcare, a lower income family didn't dash to the out patients clinic for every little sniffle, scrape, and inflammation. If blood wasn't spurting out of a major artery, or a limb wasn't dangling at an odd angle, Nurse (mum) Ratchet dealt with it, (or worse, Dr. (dad) Moreau).

Earaches (this will probably give Doug fits), were usually dealt with by my Mum. She'd put some olive oil on a teaspoon and wave a match under it a few times to warm it up. Then she'd pour it in our ears. wad in a piece of cotton wool and that was the end of it. Well no, there was the incessant lecture 'I told you not to go out in the cold' etc. Oddly enough it always worked. It was simply a wee ache, no infection involved, (but then I can't ever remember any of us kids being on antibiotics, we were extremely healthy). The home remedy involved? Keep your ears dry. Never go out into the cold with water in your ears.

You may scoff, but my son, a freak compared to his peers, didn't have a single ear infection until he was four. That's it, one ear infection at 4 when all his friends it seems got them as regularly as colds. I always dried his ears and hair before we went out (or we wouldn't go until all was dry), and I always ensured he wore his hat. Thankfully I had a very passive child, nothing much phased him and he wasn't constantly pulling at his hats. (Didn't hurt that -40º temps tend to encourage kids to leave the damn things on).

Salt water. I can't remember a single cut or scrape that wasn't cleansed with salt water before a bandaid was placed on it. If the area around the cut looked red and angry the scab was soaked off, the wound cleaned, and salve placed on it. I can't even remember what these salves were but they were over the counter. Wounds were treated morning and night until a nice 'healthy' scab grew over. For larger bodily injuries, oh let's say you went head first over the handle bars of your bike and scraped your entire right side on the asphalt. Well, weather permitting you were marched down to the beach to soak, if it was winter, salt was poured into the tub and Mum worried at getting the dirt out (trust me the beach was by far the better option).

Every Sunday us kids were lined up and dosed with three things: a tblsp of cod liver oil (but we didn't have those lovely measuring spoons available today, this was a frickin ladle, a large serving spoon that looked more like a shovel load as it approached your mouth). Something called milk of magnesia. I have no idea what it is or what it does, or what it was meant to prevent. And last but not least, a powder that tasted somehwat like licorice (although Mum called it sulphur powder or somesuch). Weird i know, but did I mention how healthy we were as kids?

Chest congestions were treated with vicks salve (shudder) a slathering of it over your chest, and if that didn't ease your breathing, you got a (double shudder) mustard plaster put on your chest.

We were a rambunctious lot, and the folks couldn't be dashing down and getting stitches for every little thing that required it. The cure? after stopping the majority of the blood and cleansing thoroughly, the skin was pinched together and taped closed. As horrified as you may be, again this worked 99% of the time. The key, as my Mum reiterated time and again, was to ensure that the wound remained CLEAN.

I am not by any means suggesting anyone should substitute seeking a doctor, just that in my parent's day home remedies were the first line of defense. If things got worse, of course they sought medical help. They were poor not stupid. But My mum's medicine cabinet was chocker block full of stuff and I'm ashamed to say that my own small supply of medicines pale in comparison. She even had an eye bath, and a small enamel kidney basin. There were cheesecloth as well as tensor bandages. She always had a box of cotton balls, as well as a roll of cotton wool (do any of you even remember what those looked like?). There were treated plasters that came in tins, some for burns some for other stuff that thankfully was never used on me. Tweezers, several kinds, a thermometer that no one could read (if indeed anyone even knew what normal body temperature was), just that 100º+ was bad. It was never used btw, Mum (and now I) just used her lips to determine if we were abnormally hot. Fevers were treated with tepid baths to bring our temperatures down, as often as was required. (and two years ago this came in very handy with my son who had a raging temp, and we had to give him baths before he could take his meds, otherwise he'd just throw everything up again)

I guess none of these are home remedies so much as first aid. Yet it's held up well as I've dealt with my own child's ailments and oopsies over the years. Thankfully, the spawn is apparently as healthy as I was as a child. There are more, and I wish I could remember them all. I know on more than one occassion the spawn has been ailing and I thought back to what my mother did--9 times out of 10 her 'remedy' worked.

So share some of your own home rememdies, or home first aid with me.

X

Thursday Thirteen

2006-01-26T12:09:00.000-08:00

Thirteen Things about THIS! Christine

1. Doug is a pain in the ass. (Oh right, this is supposed to be about me). I think Doug is a pain in the ass.

2. I'm Australian.

3. For a million years I bitched we only had one (all talk) radio station up here. Now we have about fifty to choose from, via satellite, and I never listen to any of them.

4. I'm afraid of bugs. Big skittering bugs. Big, flying bugs. Hate them with a passion. One of the only things in life guaranteed to set me squealing like a girl.

5. I love lists, verging on obsessive compulsive.

6. I love the vocal stylings of Charles Aznavour.

7. Beware of ever inviting me to sing--because I will. And I won't shut up. This is even more true if a microphone and a karaoke machine is involved.

8. My left eyebrow quirks when I don't believe (doubt the validity of) what I'm hearing.

9. If you want to see my OCD kick into high gear, ask me a 'do you know' question about something I absolutely do NOT know, and I will spend the better part of the day trying to find the answer.

10. For some reason I'm hesitant (verging on anxiety) about read new authors. But if I deem an author readable, it takes a lot to sway my loyalty. Maybe i should explore this 'almost phobia' in a separate blog?

11. For someone as self absorbed as I am, I'm finding it remarkably difficult to come up with 13 facts about me.

12. I have no adventure in my soul. In fact I'm a craven coward.

13. I have no self control when it comes to art or jewellery. (okay, some of you may know that one)

Links to other Thursday Thirteens!
(leave your link in comments, I’ll add you here! If I fugure out how to do that)

Better Days

2006-01-26T10:25:00.000-08:00

Pretty exciting times in our little town these days.

The NEB (National Energy Board) is in town holding public hearings on the proposed, Mackenzie Valley Pipeline. Well it's exciting if your idea of fun is sitting and listening to technical report after report, spitting out figures and statistics ad nauseum. Still at least something is happening and there might come a time when we actually have an economy instead of sucking off the government teat whilst the carrot of prosperity is dangled just out of our reach.

Thirty years ago, Justice Berger, recommened a moratorium on oil and gas development giving native groups time to settle land claims and, basically, get their shit together. In 1986 COPE made a land mark settlement with the Canadian Government, and the Inuvialuit Development Corporation was born. The Gwich'in followed suit. Since then the Inuvialuit and the Gwich'in have both expanded their business interests for their recipients. And now they'd like to reap the benefits of the natural resources on their land, on their terms.

Many in the south hold the view that the entire north should be held inviolate, become lika a national park for... well I'm not sure why they want to make it a national park. The phrase, 'preserved for future generations' is often bandied about, but that seems misleading because they sure don't want people up here. (at least not the wrong kind of people). To me it smacks of the same old paternalism. Only now it's couched in environmental concern. (can't come right out and say the natives need protecting from themselves now can they?)

And what of the future of northern generations? What are their prospects if we don't get some prosperity in the region? Yes traditional lifestyles are important and I know both groups are working hard to preserve their cultures, but as their leaders have proven very well, traditional lifestyle doesn't have to be sacrificed for modern careers. Now with access to internet and the world, our young people see, as never before, the opportunities that can be available to them. But if the interest groups in the south have their way, the only choices our young people will have are traditional, welfare, or oh yeah, move to the south.

Gosh. okay that was my social commentary for the year. Cheers

X

Satisfaction

2006-01-20T22:44:00.000-08:00

and I can't get no....

Bummed yet happy at the same time. An online friend called for a girls night tonight, and I was so excited because I've been missing my online buds sooooooo much. I emailed back immediately saying I was in, that I may be expecting some company but I wasn't sure if they were showing up today or Monday. So there we are an hour before girls night, none of the others have shown (showed?) up yet... and my expected yet unexpected guest showed up, minus one spouse, but here all the same.

Now these friends are beloved and the last 'real' friends I had in this town (seriously, I don't have the energy to go out and invest emotionally in another set of friends who are just going to up and leave in a year or two). So when one half shows up I'm thrilled, and yet I keep looking longingly at my puter, knowing that, but a click away is another social event happening without me. wah wah wah!

I signed online as soon as real friend left but alas the online party was already over. How bummed I am. And apparently channelling Yoda.

sigh.

So here's to all the friends we have. All the ones we wish we could talk to right now. If you can, call them, or IM them, let them know how special they are to you.

X

Pretty Ghastly in Pink

2006-01-20T09:39:00.000-08:00

I want the Pepto Bismol ad off my TV.

Not only is it annoying, but every time I see it I'm sad for all concerned. The congregation at the office water cooler doing that epileptic gyration was bad enough, but this new 'hip' hop one (hoping to appeal to a younger clientele? (Although why younger people would even need pepto bismol is beyond me... but I digress)) is just. so. bad.

I simply can't imagine the sales meeting that came up with this dreadful concept, and then it had to be approved by some executive/s at pepto-land. Unbelievable.

On the flip side. The ad where the woman mispronounces jalepeño (sp?) just cracks me up. That is so something I would do. reminds me of the first time I saw the word canapés which I promptly pronounced ca-napes (I'm certain the dash was missing, or perhaps it's never present and you just have to know by instinct the e is pronounced ay) regardless, it has given my friends minutes of entertainment rehashing that gaff. Or the first time I actually heard someone say facade, and they pronounced it fa-kay-d. To this day I'm unsure of the correct pronounciation but I'm going to stick to my way, fa-sahd.

So have any of you had fun (embarrassing) moments with words? C'mon, fess up, humiliate yourself in public.

Boy, did that post ever segue.

X

Alone Again.

2006-01-18T19:44:00.000-08:00

It's over, and the sweet sounds of... nothing and no one are deafening.

I just got back from taking Mumsy to Vancouver and seeing that she was okay for her long flight back to Oz. Dearest Husband of mine is once again away on business so until the end of the week it's just the Spawn and me.... never thought that could be such bliss.

Hopefully I'll be having an early night tonight so I can get a good start tomorow and get back into a workable routine, (I didn't sleep at all last night and was up at the butt crack of dawn for my flight back here). Spawn stayed with his aunt in Whitehorse while I was away so he too should sleep well tonight. (very early start for him too). Anyway, we're back and both of us are enjoying the solitude.

On the writing front, well I don't have to tell you there hasn't been much going on. Very frustrating to constantly have this storyline running through my head and be unable to translate it onto the blank puter. A producer friend of mine suggested I try writing it as a screenplay (if I was that stuck). The only things I know about screenplays are they're 120pgs and you have to think visually. But perhaps writing it short will at least get me to all the pertinent scenes and, perhaps, it may inspire me to flesh it out from there. At this point anything is worth a shot.

Wish me luck.

Oh it's good to be back with y'all.

Ciao Bellas

X

Thanks for the Memories

2006-01-06T22:02:00.000-08:00

Okay, I know I've been away for a long time when Doug sends out an SOS.

I swear when I started this blog I thought I'd have nothing but time to devote to it. My life really isn't that exciting... except, ever since I started it my life has been anything but normal. Honestly I don't think a week hasn't gone by since last June, when I haven't received a phone call from someone telling me, 'Hey I'll be in the area, would love to drop by and visit with you and [the other half]'. Of course dropping by means staying with us for a few days. I love it, having guests, don't get me wrong. It's always fabulous to catch up with friends. But recently I feel like a bed and breakfast. I so want my boring mundane existence back.

In my defense it has been an insane year. what with the ongoing construction. Dearest Husband gone 50% of the time and my newly discovered clean-freakiness, internet access has been a low priority.

'k, whine over. maybe.

Having said all that. I do need to apologise to all the friends in my other life. My internet life. I'm so very fortunate to have all of you out there. Online day or night depending on the continent and always willing to share a conversation and a laugh. And of late I've been neglecting you horribly. Believe me, I feel it too. not being online makes my fingers itchy and all of me quite antsy. And please trust me when I say that neglecting you for fucking housework is simply wrong on so many levels I may actually need therapy to cope.

Obviously, my New Years resolution (and one I have a glimmer of keeping) is to sit on my ass more and talk to y'all instead of becoming a neurotic neat freak.

... I'll drink to that. Cheers.

So, did any of you make New Years resolutions, impossible or otherwise? Share please.

X

Just Mumsy and Me

2005-12-28T14:07:00.000-08:00

Xmas is almost over.

Most of my guests have departed. I have half a jigsaw to complete, the leftovers are dwindling (gasp, I may have to cook again soon) and Mumsy has a very nasty cold, the poor dear. Apart from the drop ins during the evening, it's just Mumsy and me in the house now. The spawn is generally off skidooing, and Dearest Husband of mine (who simply cannot be still) is about 'fixing' this and that.

Xmas was (still is) simply wonderful. The socialising that that occurs at this time of year has a very different 'feel' to it. Truly there is a goodwill toward men smell in the air. Our house has been barraged, almost nightly, with visitors popping in for some xmas cheer or just to get their asses kicked in a full-insult card game.

I appreciated (finally) the barn Dearest Husband built, because it allowed us to spread out into seperate areas of entertainment without tripping all over each other, yet still close enough that we could shout out to each other. Nice.

I hope everyone had a delightful Xmas, and that the time you spent with your nearest and dearest was as pleasant as mine.

Next up... Exercise January. Where I try to scale back this enormous ass I grew.

X

The Festival of Food

2005-12-21T09:34:00.000-08:00

Feeding people apparently fulfills some deep rooted need in me to be content.

I have a houseful. I have a fully stocked fridge and freezer, so I'm happier than a pig in shit continually serving up snacks etal whilst we play cards, games, or do jigsaw puzzles.

Three of my favourite snackables are, Ham & Asparagus roll-ups. Cheeses and deli meats/sausages. And smoked salmon capers and cr cheese. yummmm. another quick and easy appetizer is those pre cooked meat balls and then just whip up a soy/brown sugar sauce and bake them. Of course there's also a gazillion 'throw in the oven' type hors d'ouvres out there as well.
And let's not count the amount of wee bowls scattered about the house containing nuts, trail mix, chocolates, cookies etc. LOL I love feeding people.
I'm beginning my Christmas Dinner menu, but apart from deciding on a buffet, which animals we'll be having for the ritual sacrifice, and a few pies, I'm drawing a blank. So far the head count for Xmas Dinner is 12 confirmed, that of course doesn't take into account whatever Christmas orphans may wander in at the last minute. Not a problem. Lack of food is not even a consideration. It's what food to serve?

So far I have.

Smallish Turkey w/stuffing and gravy
Ham
Middling sz Roast Beef (this is for me... not keen on two turkey dinners so close together)

Tossed Green Salad?

Honey Glazed Carrots

Cherry Pie
Pumpkin Pie
Butter tarts
Christmas Pudding (also for me. hey, it's my culture, man.)

So what Veggies do you serve with your festive meals? any ideas would be appreciated.

X

Honey, I'm Home!

2005-12-16T14:36:00.000-08:00

Hey all.

I'm home after a whirlwind tour of Edmonton and Vancouver (and no, I didn't drive).

Got in some Xmas shopping and then went over to Vancouver to meet Mumsy off the plane from Australia. Delivered a parka to her and dragged her back to the the great white north for Christmas.

what else? well the Xmas concert was a raging success I hear. I wasn't there personally as I flew out the afternoon of the concert, but I'm told by those that attended it was wunnerful. sigh, after all my bitching I really really wish I'd been there to sing along with the rest of them.

The week before I left I had house guests so computer time was quite limited and devoted to writing and not my blog whoring ways.

I missed the season finale of Amazing Race, Survivor, and The Apprentice, after torturing myself all season by watching all three. How stupidly lame is that!?! Oh well, I'll cath up at Television Without Pity to find out how lame they all were and console myself that I really didn't miss much, right? Right! (man I must be tired because the word 'right' suddenly looks wrong, like some weird ass German word I may be channeling.)

better sign off before everything goes askew on me.

Ciao for now,

X

It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas

2005-11-29T14:25:00.000-08:00

Yep yep.

Preparations are going well for the Christmas Concert. Finally!

Small towns are hysterical when trying to organise events like this. Keeping in mind that I didn't have a lot of lead time to begin with, I have 10 days to the concert and groups are just now getting back to me. It's like first you have to plant the idea, then the mulling process begins, and then they jump on board.

I'm fairly certain I'll have someone phoning me at the last minute to be included. But that is simply the nature of the beast.

It is a huge relief though to have any response at all. I have enough community groups, and soloists committed to fill an hour. Everything after this is gravy.

In writing news... it continues. Yay!

On the homefront... reclaiming the living space is slowly but surely being accomplished. Two plants died, one fish--and not the bulgy eyed one either. It was the algae eater. I think it starved to death the poor poor thing. I didn't even notice it was in any distress until it was too late, by the time I did, he was too weak to eat. sigh.

World peace? Still working on it.

X

Song of Joy!

2005-11-22T09:25:00.000-08:00

Today I get to SQUEEEEEEEEEEEEE my heart out and dance around like a loon.

My CP, my mentor, my friend, SOLD. Dee is an amazing, talented, (sometimes annoyingly prolific) writer and it has been my privilege over the last two years to read her books with a critical eye.
Everything I know about technique I learned from, Dee, because she slowly, painstakingly explained things to me--even when I'm sure she wanted to hit me upside the head with a 2x4. The hours upon hours we spent on IM discussing plot points, motivations and just about anything under the sun have been some of the most stimulating, inspiring conversations I've ever had.

Dee, my little black rain cloud, today the sun shines on you. Enjoy Dollface.

X

It's My Party (and I'll cry if I want to.)

2005-11-17T13:10:00.000-08:00

I have to come up with a way to manage my time better.

I love that I'm writing again, it's such a rush. And yet something else is sacrificed for those precious hours (and often everything is sacrificed).

The one thing I don't cheap out on is the morning lessons with my son. The afternoons are generally devoted to the house, and completing certain projects per day or week as I deem necessary. Then there are errands etc... which really only leaves the evening to write for a good solid block. I know, wah wah wah, cry me a river. But this is my 5 minutes of whining, and I'm going to wallow in it, thank you very much.

More and more I'm feeling as though there's no ME time. I've been missing bopping around the blogs commenting here and there. I've missed out on some great posts, some wonderful celebrations, and a whole lot of fun. IM too. I just realised that I haven't turned on yahoo messenger for a week. MSN? I get to say hi and then all is silence. I miss the silly gab sessions. The mindless laughing and talking about nothing in particular... just having fun.

Yes indeedy, gonna have to come up with a better time management plan. All work and no play makes X a testy girl.

X

Celebration!

2005-11-16T18:10:00.000-08:00

Break out the champagne and the tooty horns.

A very dear friend of mine just sold to Samhain, you can check out her story over at Raecy's Place.

Cheers my dear, this couldn't have happened at a better time. And I'm so unbelievably happy for you!

Love ya Doll Face,

X

Walk the Walk.

2005-11-14T21:47:00.000-08:00

I am an Amazing Race junky.

This season has been full of surprises considering it is the Family Edition. but the reason I mention AR isn't the race itself but one team of racers that generate so much animosity within me: the Weavers. (They call themselves Christians. Gack!) It's a similar feeling I get whenever anyone says, "I rely on my faith to make decisions", because it automatically places you[me] on the defensive or on potentially shaky ground, that in questioning/disagreeing with that decision, you are attacking their faith (Shrub did this in the past to great advantage, btw, although it seems to have worn thin now.... and I've digressed,)

I've spent the better part of the day over at Television Without Pity reading all the wonderful snark on this truly hideous family and some of it has helped me reconcile what it is about the phrase, 'I'm a Christian' that makes my hackles rise.

1. It's generally unsought personal information, so having it announced always takes you aback. Like, 'Hi my name's Mary, and I pick my nose."
2. Because it's unsought it always sounds boastful, smug... superior. I graduated from Yale, I make 100k a year, I'm white!!!

Most Christians bleat that they're labelled as hypocrites. guess what, you are. I will tell you up front, that I'm a insensitive, irreverent, sarcastic, bitch, (actually I wouldn't have to tell you. Five minutes in my company and you'd know). I won't disappoint you by acting differently. But you're a Christian.

If you were to announce you were Catholic, or Baptist, or even that you're church-going, it's implied that you attend a facility that tries to interpret the teachings of Christ. There's no standard to live up to, you can fall and fail and get back up and try again, all without being a hypocrite... but under the generally accepted definition of Christian, (and the perception of what a Christian should be) you are a hypocrite. Here's the important section of that definition: showing character consistent with Christ's teachings.

You may well argue that no one is perfect. True. But the vast majority aren't announcing their higher standard either, so when you fall, you're gonna fall far.

Christian is beyond anything as limiting and fallible as any one church. Christian is the ideal, and using it to define you is like a graduating diploma. Well, the first time you [the self proclaimed Christian] act in an unChristian-like manner, be prepared to be called on it.

And I only hope, that this new upswelling of Christianity doesn't redefine and water down a wonderful definition, else we'll all lose something truly important. A goal that we as a society can strive for in our behavior toward each other... (well not me, I'll still be sitting at the bar heckling the bad hair and fashion crimes)

X

Quimsucking Queafweasels

2005-11-11T00:14:00.000-08:00

Sorry gang, had to turn on the letter verify function.

Which I utterly loathe as I'm usually tipsy when I respond to y'all's blogs, but the mothering spammers are getting too much for me.

Sawwy

X

The things I think while you're speaking.

2005-11-09T00:13:00.000-08:00

** Thank you. We're all refreshed and challenged by your unique point of view.
** The fact that no one understands you doesn't mean you're creative.
** Any connection between your reality and mine is purely coincidental.
** I have plenty of talent and vision. I just don't give a damn.
** You sound reasonable...Time to up my medication.
** I like you. You remind me of when I was young and stupid.
** What am I? Flypaper for freaks!?
** I'm already visualizing the duct tape over your mouth.
** Ahhh...I see the screw-up fairy has visited us again...
** I will always cherish the initial misconceptions I had about you.
** It's a thankless job, but I've got a lot of Karma to burn off.
** Yes, I am an agent of Satan, but my duties are largely ceremonial. ... take note, remember.
** How about never? Is never good for you?
** I'm really easy to get along with once you people learn to worship me.
** I'll try being nicer if you'll try being smarter. Pure X.. but I won't try very hard
** It might look like I'm doing nothing, but at the cellular level I'm really quite busy. This one cracks me up
** At least I have a positive attitude about my destructive habits.
** You are validating my inherent mistrust of strangers.
** I see you've set aside this special time to humiliate yourself in public.
** Someday, we'll look back on this, laugh nervously and change the subject. Oh yeah. Happened several time

Okay, so I'm digging into my well of stored funny emails, give me a break, I'm writing... but I do think these things (or similar sentiments)

X

It's Magic Part Deux

2005-11-08T09:46:00.000-08:00

Still going

I love the beginning stages of a story. The high energy rush where you're frantic to get it all down.

Being that I'm not officially a part of Nanunanu (yes, yes, I know that's not how its spelled), I've taken some time out to organise the manuscript into Act overviews, Chapters etc. inserted the scenes I had written randomly over the years into the correct act, (Did I mention I've been thinking about this story on and off for two years?)

Anyway, it's all fun for now. The suckmonster doesn't usually come to visit until the end of Act 2, beginning of Act 3. So I'm going to enjoy this story for a while yet.

X

It's Magic

2005-11-01T19:07:00.000-08:00

Eight pages so far.

It's nice to be back in the driver's seat. With at least 4 more hours of writing to go, I'm feeling pretty good about this start.

X

Staying Alive.

2005-10-31T23:23:00.000-08:00

The widdle fishy liveth.

Don't ask me how. But he's still swimming around, perkier than he has been in a while. I think, if he survives, I'll call him cockroach.

And in other news. I began a new story today... well not that new. I've got about 5 pages of scenes plotted out, and I've been stewing over this particular story for about 2 years. It's a sci-fi fantasy, so, quite the departure from contemporary romance. We'll see how it goes.

Best of luck to everyone involved in nanunanu month (or whatever the hell it's called)... the writing thing. I haven't signed up, just because i was too lazy to find out what it was all about/sign up for it. But I wish everyone who did, well.

Ciao.

X

One Fish, Two Fish.

2005-10-30T19:45:00.000-08:00

I've got screwed fish.

I don't think my sick fish is long for this world. The one with the ever expanding eye? I found him wedged under the log. He'd managed to scrape off a lot of the scales along his gills, and now he's taken to floating upside down. If you tap the glass he'll move but there's no real enthusiasm there.

Which brings me to my moral dilemma... should the fish have a name before he's flushed? And if so, what name. Can't make it too great, cause, hey, he's about to get deep sixed.

Any suggestions?

X

All Of Me-me

2005-10-30T13:44:00.000-08:00

Julie, has tagged me with a Meme, the bitch.

Three screen names that you've had: zaccad, thischristinex, xchristinez

Three things you like about yourself: Crap, only three?... I'm direct. A great sense of humour. I love to learn.

Three things you don't like about yourself: Self absorbed. Too direct sometimes. Lazy.

Three parts of your heritage: The French part is arrogant, the German part is aggressive, and the English part balances the other two with good manners.

Three things that scare you: Bugs. Skittering critters (you know, the ones that are too small and fast to whack with a 2x4). Drowning.

Three of your everyday essentials: Cigarettes, coke(the cola, people! sheesh), coffee

Three things you are wearing right now: Jammies, watch, bracelets

Three of your favorite songs: The Way You Look Tonight, Insenstitive, Pretty Enough.

Three things you want in a relationship: Respect, Humour, Intellegence.

Two truths and a lie: I've appeared on TV. Starred in a major Musical. Sung live on the Radio.

Three things you can't live without: Books. Computer. Internet.

Three places you want to go on vacation: Europe. Africa. Maldives

Three things you just can't do: Cartwheel, Whistle (with any talent), quit smoking.

Three kids names: Huh? er, Larry, Moe and Curly (I'm sure they were kids once.)

Three things you want to do before you die: See the Pyramids. Go to Europe. Own an island.

Three celeb crushes: Julian McMahon, Oh crap, I don't know.

Three of your favorite musicians: David Bowie. God, I'm bored... Queen, Zepplin.

Three physical things about the opposite sex that appeals to you: Eyes, hands, face.

Three of your favorite hobbies: Puzzles, watching movies, cooking

Three things you really want to do badly right now: Eat. Watch a good movie. Eat.

Three careers you're considering/you've considered: TV Producer, Researcher, Mistress

Three ways that you are stereotypically a boy: Just one. Celebrating dates is not important to me.

Three ways that you are stereotypically a girl: Shoes. Sparklies. Expensive shit.

Three people that I would like to see post this meme: Let's see, who has incurred my wrath recently... I'll get back to you on that.

Ding. Fries Are Done.

2005-10-29T01:23:00.000-07:00

The season is coming. And to set you down the right path, (and because of the raging success of my numanuma dance link.) I present to you, Skipper, with this amazingly festive carol.

Play it. Go on. Then play it again, and again... it only gets better.

X

Numanuma

2005-10-27T21:18:00.000-07:00

Now THIS! guy knows how to enjoy his internet experience. Go on, click on the link.

X

Sweet Mother of God!

2005-10-27T14:38:00.000-07:00

How could ten days have passed since I last blogged.

So let's recap. Dearest Husband of mine was gone for most of that. He got back Tuesday, so I only have an excuse for yesterday--mini honeymoon doncha know.
The house/barn has been occupying a lot (okay, all.) of my energies. Specifically the Spawn's room. We moved him into his new room-cum-den. Well we moved the bed in, and emptied the walk-in-closet of all the building materials. (which are now sitting in the spacious foyer/mud room). We've sanded and painted the built in shelving area. Hung curtains, and moved the rest of the furniture in. Upstairs, I've hung more paintings, put out non painting type artwork, assembled the bed in the guest bedroom, and pretty much got that ready for occupation. I've cooked mountains of soup, and spaghetti sauce for the winter (actually had to go buy some plastic containers to store it all in).

I discovered I can bake cookies.

I've been nursing some sick fish (pop eye) with little success, but they haven't gotten worse so that is somewhat encouraging. A friend gave us these fish/tank/everything, about a month and a half ago. The big black ones (fancy goldfish), immediately developed this alarming bulge around the eyes, (one looks like it's gonna blow at any second). DH sent fish medicine from Whitehorse, but like I said. no perceptible improvement as yet.

Two plants died... sigh.

Let's see, cooking, house, I've done some critting... oh yeah, community choir. Gack! Can you believe it's that time already. This year I'm going to palm the Christmas concert off on someone else. See if I can just do the singing part... all the fun, none of the responsibility.

And I rambled about my love of language over at Belfry today.

k I promise to be here more often.

X

If I Only...

2005-10-17T19:12:00.000-07:00

Had a few more thoughts in my head I could blog here... sadly I used the one brain cell set aside for these matters on the Belfry blog today, so I highly recommend you go there.

X

Bad Girls

2005-10-14T10:45:00.000-07:00

I guess that's me.

There's a discussion going on over at Smart Bitches, regarding royalties for e-books and major print houses. I have to take some credit (er, shit stirring responsibility) for this as it was 'I' who contacted Candy about this issue. I had no idea it was so taboo to speak of money or contract matters.

The few authors that have commented on the subject (those with traditional print publishers at least) are very reluctant to discuss anything to do with contracts. My impression is that they don't want to appear militant, or be labeled as 'difficult to work with'. Nice Girls.

This is where my enormous naivety of the publishing world kicks in. Frankly I find the whole 'don't ask don't tell' attitude annoying and immature. Prior to devoting my time to writing I worked in business for 20 years. Contracts, distribution agreements, joint partnerships were a way of life, and equitable to both parties (otherwise there's no incentive to sign on the dotted line). I was never treated like a slightly backward airhead given a pat on the head and a 'there there dear, trust us, this is as good as it gets' spin. Which is why the secrecy/mystique surrounding publishing contracts ticks me off... empowered with the complicity of the authors themselves. It's like some underworld masonic cheer leaders cult, and they will sanction 'hits' on you.

Why is asking questions bad? I'm not attacking anyone. If the way this company is doing business is fair and equitable, fine and dandy.. tell me that. Tell me, tell me! But don't answer me with 'we don't talk about it because we don't want to be seen as trouble makers'.. All that does is make me wonder, trouble for whom? if everything is above board--fair and equitable, why would there be trouble?

Perhaps I'm coming at this from a slightly different angle than most. Publishing is not my God. If I'm never published the world will still turn, and I'll continue to write my stories. Writing is my passion, publication is just a nice bonus.

I'll keep asking my questions. I'll find out everything I can. And I will walk away from a deal that sucks eggs.

There, I've outed myself. I'm an opinionated Bad Girl.

Enjoy,

X

It's Over

2005-10-12T15:57:00.000-07:00

Belfry Author Day came and went.

It was frickin awesome. It was so hopping and happening, I was exhausted after my stint as moderator. But it couldn't have gone better (well apart from a few yahell snafus but they didn't last long). Readers, editors, authors, all seemed to have a grand time.

I've heard so many horror stories of Author chats where there's no traffic at all, or one author monopolises the room, but again, my gals being the awesome professionals they are, this didn't happen. Everyone got their moment in the sun, everyone got that fabulosa ego stroke from an appreciative fan or fans... I just want to gush--oh hang on, I am!

For a first foray (sorry about the alliteration) into promotion I'd say we did a bang up job.

X

AUTHOR DAY

2005-10-10T11:10:00.000-07:00

Is almost here.

I'm getting so excited about this. A chance to show off my wonderful critique group. The Belfry Collective began with 12 members and one purpose.-to get Published. We formed in February of 2004. At that time we had 3 published authors in our ranks. Since then we've expanded our members to 17 and now can boast 12 published authors. So our plan for world bat domination is working.

Tomorrow is the BIG day. Our authors are going to strut their stuff (us unpubs get a crack too), The doors for the Author Day open at 6am tomorrow morning (EST) and you can find us here, I'm hosting the last two hours, so pop in and say hi, win some prizes and read some great stories.

Here's a sneak peek at some of what's in store for y'all. Hope to see you there.

X

World Clock Configuration
In order for us to coordinate the Aussie & American contingents:
6 am New York (EST) = 8 pm Canberra, Australia

6 am-7 am– Sweet Romance & Confessions, Highlighting Gerrie Shepard

7 am-8 am Women’s Fiction & Christmas Stories. Hosted by Gerrie Shepard
Authors highlighted in this hour are, Bobby Cole, Gerrie Shepard, and Merry Stahel

8 am-9 am Time Travel, Mystery, & Intrigue Hosted by Merry Stahel
Authors highlighted in this hour are, Merry Stahel, Donica Covey, and Liz Wolfe

9 am-10 am Erotic Romance Hosted by Lyn Cash
Authors highlighted in this hour are, Lyn Cash and Ann Wesley Hardin

10 am-11 am Romantic Suspense and Thriller Hosted by author, Liz Wolfe
Authors highlighted in this hour are, Liz Wolfe, and Bronwyn Parry

11 am–Noon Mainstream and Suspense. Hosted by author Merry Stahel
Authors highlighted in this hour are, Bobby Cole, Donica Covey and Shara Jones

12 pm-1 pm Suspense and Mainstream cont. Hosted by author Shara Jones
Authors highlighted in this hour are, Shara Jones, Sheila Holloway

1 pm-2 pm Hen lit and Chick lit Mysteries. Hosted by author Liz Wolfe
Authors highlighted in this hour are, Liz Wolfe and Bobby Cole

2 pm-3 pm Romance, Mystery, & Mayhem. Hosted by author Shara Jones
Authors highlighted in this hour are, Heather Rae Scott, Liz Wolfe and Lyn Cash

3 pm-4 pm Another hour of Erotic Romance. Hosted by author Lyn Cash
Authors highlighted in this hour are, Ann Wesley Hardin, Lyn Cash, and Alexis Fleming

4 pm-5 pm An hour with an Aussie flavor. Hosted by authors Alexis Fleming and Bronwyn Parry
Authors highlighted in this hour are, Alexis Fleming, and Bronwyn Parry.

5 pm-6 pm = Erotic and Sexy Romance. Hosted by Christine Zubko
Authors highlighted in this hour are, Dee Tenorio, Kris Starr, and Christine Zubko

6 pm-7 pm Contemporary Romance. Hosted by Christine Zubko
Authors highlighted in this hour are, Dee Tenorio, Donica Covey, and Christine Zubko

How Deep Is Your Love?

2005-10-07T11:14:00.000-07:00

Or in this case, words.

I've been tagged.

Doug Hoffman of SHATTER fame tagged me to do a 'meme' (hey someone want to tell me exactly where the word meme came from?), the rules are as follows:

1. Delve into your blog archive.

2. Find your 23rd post (or closest to).

3. Find the fifth sentence (or closest to).

4. Post the text of the sentence in your blog along with these instructions. Ponder it for meaning, subtext or hidden agendas…

5. Tag five people to do the same.

My 23rd post was Just Another Brick in the Wall, the fifth line was, Major meltdown happening right now as i try to get my shit together to pitch my manuscripts.

Oddly enough the sentence is fairly self explanitory and expressive. There is no hidden meaning, subliminal or otherwise. There is however a typo which I've left in for posteriy's sake.

Now, onto the final part of the meme, spreading the PITA around.

Tagged are Dee, Lyn Cash, Bron, Rae, and AnnWH (Jenne and Nicki, I'm almost certain neither of you have 23 posts)

Have fun

X

Daydream Believer

2005-10-03T15:03:00.000-07:00

New and wonderful thingts that have happened.

Got me a Smart Bitch title. see it? over there on the left. Shiny int it.

The furniture for the Barn has begun to arrive. 11 bookcases. 11! can you see my priorities? LOL Spent the weekend putting togetther the ones for the... well we don't have a name for this room yet... basically it's a 12' wide hallway (used to be our old living room). If anyone thinks of a name for this new area feel free to share it with me.

Unreachable goals for the week.

1. Clean the house... will I ever reach this one?
2. Organise the CD collection
3. Unpack books and put in spiffy new bookcases
4. trudge all the pots from the deck into the garage
5. Winterise deck
6. Manage not to kill any fish or plants
7. Hang more pictures

Write around all the other myriad things to do. And I don't mean notes all over jotting down ideas, I mean hours of solid writing. Will I ever do that again??? stay tuned.

X

Because Your Kiss Is On My List

2005-10-01T22:18:00.000-07:00

Maybe not this list,

The always entertaining, Shannon had this on her blog, it looked like fun so here goes.

7 things to do before I die:
1) See the pyramids
2) Visit the Rembrandt Museum
3) Ditto the Louvre
4) Learn to play tennis competently
5) Live somewhere I can have a garden
6) Own a 1 carat precious stone
7) Tour Europe

7 things I can do:
1) Sing
2) Write compelling plots
3) Always find the bright side
4) Make people laugh
5) Change the tire on my car
6) Virtually idiot savant capability with anagrams/ wheel of fortune puzzles
7) Cook gourmet meals on a camp out

7 things I can’t do:
1) Pump my own gas (shaddup)
2) Cartwheels
3) Whistle
4) Bake
5) Edit my own writing
6) Ice skate
7) Clean this damn house

7 things that attract me to a man:
1) Intelligence
2) A cheeky grin/eyes
3) Respect (for me)
4) Humour
5) Ambition
6) Handyman capabilities (one of us has to)
7) Money (oh come on, it doesn't hurt)

7 things I say most often:
1) Just stop.
2) Break time
3) And your point is?
4) I'm doing something. (can insert.. hello?)
5) Love you.
6) Get over it.
7) Meh.

7 celebrity crushes:
1) Julian McMahon
2) Clive Owen
3) Harrison Ford
4) Sean Connery
5) Alan Rickman
6) Donny Osmond
7) Doug Hoffman (I just had to LOL, and he fills so many requirements mentioned above)

The Differences Between Us.

2005-09-27T22:19:00.000-07:00

I was over reading Paperback Writer's blog when this line leapt out at me, "It was in the literature section, and I was in no state to read something plotless and depressing."

This sums up in many ways my feelings toward modern 'literature'. I've read a great many of the classics because I felt I wasn't a well rounded reader if I didn't. A lot I enjoyed, but many also fell into the above category. I've tried, time and again to read what my friends deem 'suitable reading'--literature. The thing is, I find most of it valium for the eyes. I mean, please, I ask you, Angela's Ashes, Bridges of Madison County? I've clipped toe nails that were more interesting and dramatic.

Which makes me wonder about my friends. Seriously.

These are intelligent, funny people. We laugh at stupid movies, hell we laugh at just about everything. Our one liners are legendary. How can we be so far apart when it comes to reading enjoyment. Are they (like I used to), reading these because they feel they should? Eternally hoping that just one of them will be everything the NYT critic said it would be. Or is it so that when they go to dinner parties they can all discuss, intellectually of course, the same book and impress each other with their insights. (wow, that was catty.) and on another side note, the only thing these friends I'm talking about have in common is me.

A friend, on seeing several romances strewn about my house, (although I think she was most horrified by the Harlequins), asked me, with great concern, if I weren't embarrassed to have them in plain view for everyone to see. Which of course, I wasn't. An askance look, a raised eyebrow prompted me to quote my grade 11 english teacher (oh how I loved that woman). "All reading is knowledge."

She said a lot more on the subject. Coming into a very large, mostly lower income high school. Reading wasn't exactly big for us cool punks. But she made it fun, "I don't care what you read. Read a book, comic or magazine. heck read the cereal box. Just tell me what you learned this week, even if it is only a new word. Just read."

So this is where I'm coming from with my love of reading, and why I feel so good about my reading habits. All reading is knowledge, and you can read what you like.

I'm still puzzled where my friends are coming from.

X

I Get Around

2005-09-26T09:58:00.000-07:00

Gads! It's been ages since I've blogged.

Lemme see, what have I been doing. Mostly blog whoring, flitting from bookmarked blog to bookmarked blog, commenting at will and having a grand time.

I've been working on my excerpts for The Belfry Author Day. I finally selected scenes and whittled them down to a smallish amount. Gosh that was hard. maybe even harder than a synopsis.(shudder). I'll be talking a lot about Author Day, and letting everyone know where you can find my wonderful critique group as the day draws closer.

Author Day is consuming most of my time lately. I'll be a moderator for part of the day and I want to show off MY authors well. Plus I also get to pimp my work. You never know, there may be a bored editor just popping in for a looksee during coffee break and spot my stuff and the next thing you know I'm receiving an advance like Elizabeth Kostova (hey, a girl can dream).

In other news, two of my favourite Belfrites (members of my critique group), have new books out. Lyn Cash, and Ann Wesley Hardin. Go check them out. Apart from being enormously talented writers, they're also a laugh riot and I love spending time in their company. Smart, funny women are the best.

Goals for this week include: Cleaning the barn, editing submissions 1 and or 2, more comprehensive outlining of books 4 and 5 (and decide which one I want to work on next), blog more... and of course, world peace.

Ciao

X

The Big League

2005-09-20T11:12:00.000-07:00

or, playing with the grownups.

The last two weeks I've been receiving a crash course in promotion. It's big and scary but it has also helped to refocus my writer's brain to, well, writing.

As one of the few unpublished authors left in our critique group, The Belfry Collective, I volunteered to moderate part of our upcoming Author Day. The behind the scenes organisation for this event has been a real eye opener for me and has brought home, once again, that writing the damn book is perhaps the easiest part of being a writer, (and we all know how easy that is, right?). Getting it published, then once published, getting good sales are even more nerve wracking. However, doing it this way (as moderator), I get to see how it's all done without the added pressure of having my babies out there for consumption. Hopefully when it's really my turn to attempt something like this I'll know the ropes--what works, what doesn't etc.

On the writing front, the slugfest is over. It's time to get back into it. I'm even eager (and about time). My hiatus though, isn't entirely by choice. Summer is simply too hectic for me. My house turns into an hotel from late June to, well, I just waved off the last influx... or is that outflux? last week. After they left I begged dearest husband of mine not to invite anyone else to stay until at least Christmas time. Here's hoping.

One good thing that came out of my not-writing period however, was my reading-like-a-madwoman period. My TBR pile is now non existent. None of my favourite authors have new releases for me to read and so I'm kind of floundering. Need something to read. Need it, need it, need it! It's very very quiet in the house....

Yet with the quiet comes that wonderful urge to bond once more with my word program. The initial rush of formatting the document for The Manuscript. Inserting the header with those magical lines Title and Author. Hurriedly jotting down the scene outlines (that although raw, I've already come up with), and then, magically, typing Chapter One... sigh.

I'm off for now, ciao bellas

X

Who Am I?

2005-09-19T19:48:00.000-07:00

Found this fun Quiz courtesy of Jenne's blog.

Oh dear, you are Bookish, aren't you? You are a
highly intelligent and witty bluestocking,
whose beauty is hidden behind spectacles. Your
dress sense is eccentric and a little
unfashionable, and you consider yourself plain.
You have very little use for men, who find your
knowledge of Shakespeare, interest in politics
and forthright speech formidable. You are
undoubtedly well-off. The only reason for your
presence in a novel of this kind (which, I
might add, you would not dream of reading,
although you have occasionally enjoyed the
works of Miss Austen), is your mother, who is
absolutely determined that you will make a good
marriage. Rather than defying her directly,
you are quietly subversive, dancing with anyone
who asks you, but making no attempt to hide
your intellectual interests. The only person
who can get past your facade is the man who is
witty enough to spar with you, and be amused at
your blatant attempts to scare your suitors
away. While you will, no doubt, subject him to
a gruelling cross-examination to find out
whether his respect for your intelligence is
real or mere flattery, you may be sure that he
is your match, and that you, he AND your mother
will all live happily ever after

The Regency Romance Quiz: What kind of Romance Heroine are you?
brought to you by Quizilla

It's My Turn

2005-09-17T19:09:00.000-07:00

Three times a month it's my duty to post over at our author blog The Belfry Collective. Today was my day.

For the weekendly brain dead it was a struggle but I managed it. I'm really very tired now, which means no ramblings here. Go read that other blog.

Go on.

Shoo!

X

What A Feeling

2005-09-14T23:03:00.000-07:00

Over at Anna Lucia's blog, she wrote about a watching a co-worker from her office window as they beat the crap out of several computers. The response of her commentors is unanimously joyous at this action.

Now some might look on this in much the same way the Romans enjoyed the offerings at the colleseum, I on the other hand took a gentler, kinder view... it simply filled me with quiet contentment.

In visualising the scene I got the same feeling I get on those early spring mornings, those rare ones, where I'm up before everyone else. The sun is already bright but not yet hot, I grab a coffee and go out onto the deck. The air is cool but still, and promises a lovely day. The lake is like glass and mirrors the surrounding trees and hills. I sip my coffee and smile. For just this snapshot in time, my world is perfect.

Now go back and picture the destrction of those hard drives.. can ya feel it? Lovely int it?

X

Do You Hear What I hear?

2005-09-14T18:55:00.001-07:00

Oh my gooness, I'm not a liberal or a conservative, but this cracked me up sideways considering all the name calling that is going on in the US of late.

Purloined from The Daily Show website.

Kurt Vonnegut's List

LIBERAL CRAP I NEVER WANT TO HEAR AGAIN

Give us this day our daily bread. Oh sure.

Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those wh trespass against us.
Nobody better trespass against me. I'll tell you that.

Blessed are the meek.

Blessed are the merciful. You mean we can't use torture?

Blessed are the peacemakers. Jane Fonda?

Love your enemies - Arabs?

Ye cannot serve God and Mammon. The hell I can't! Look at the Reverand Pat Robertson. And He is as happy as a pig in s**t.

X

I Like Coffee

2005-09-12T11:16:00.000-07:00

Just a little sumpin to get over the gloom of the last post.

X

Two Faces Have I

2005-09-11T21:44:00.000-07:00

I've been stewing on this all weekend and bad feelings don't sit well with me. I have to verbalise them in some way to let them go... with any luck this will do the trick.

Just a bit of background before I launch into what I'm sure will be a long rant. Last Wednesday a party of men arrived (as they do every year) for a fishing trip out to our camp. They're assholes the lot of them. Older men, free of the shackles of the 9-5 grind, bonding together to grunt, fart and generally be gross in the wilderness to prove their manhood. This isn't really the problem (them being assholes) as a rule I get on very well with assholes. Two of the men are affable enough but the other... lordy, he grates on my last nerve. And on Thursday night I totally lost it.

I rarely lose my temper. I can get pissy, annoyed, grumpy... but none of those come close. I don't think I've ever lost my temper with a guest in our home, but on Thursday night I did, and I feel bad about it... weird thing is, I'm not sure why I feel bad, cause he really deserved it.

It doesn't really matter, and I won't go into details, suffice to say that I was talking about astronomy, phenomenon and visibility. He picked up on one comment I made (totally disregarded the context of the rest of my point) and took great delight in pointing out where and how I was wrong. It was the sheer delight that set me off.

As I said earlier, I like assholes, I usually get on very well with them. And the other two are charming in their way. When they tell stories of their exploits they never fail to throw in one or two anecdotes of their fuck ups. They tease each other, they tease me, but because they can admit to these failings of perfection it's all good natured fun. We know, because we've been there and done that. There's something wonderful about looking someone in the eye and laughing with the shared knowledge that yep, I was that stupid too.

But the other one... grrr, he joins in the teasing, oftentimes initiating it, but he will never admit to a failure. And there's the rub. He watches and waits during conversations always listening for the phrase that isn't exact in its preciseness and then he pounces. There is no emotional sharing with this man. It isn't possible when one is so fixated on being right (perfect).

When he pulled this stunt on me I began to argue thinking he was simply disputing my claim, but once I realised what he was really doing--The smug smile on his face as he condescendingly cited my own words back at me--wow! How I didn't leap across the table and rip his face off is the only testament to my control. By the time I'd finished going up one side of him and down the other, agreeing that, 'yes, he was indeed right and how kind it was of him to disregard what I meant. To point that out, in the most belittling way, to everyone.' He was left in no doubt of my opinion of him, his manner, and his worth as a human being.

My hands shook for about thirty minutes after I let him have it. Even now, recalling it, my hands are shaking. In one way I felt liberated, I'd wanted to say something like that to him for years, but in another I felt totally trapped. It's not like I can sever this relationship so I have to find a way to deal with him. A better way than having my blood pressure shoot so high I think my head may explode, every time he opens his mouth.

Any suggestions?

X

Am I Not Pretty Enough

2005-09-09T17:20:00.000-07:00

Holy Crap On Eggs.

I just realised something. Everything I do in my blog (technique-wise) speaks to my voice/style/whatever and is in complete opposition to all the writing rules.
Beginning sentences with gerunds, conjunctions and {{{{horrors}}}} adverbs... liberal, fucking liberating use of parenthesis (god I love these suckers)... the ability to insert an aside freely, unrestrainedly...(also, making up words???)) oops there's another faux pas. Overuse of punctuation marks for eyebrow wiggling emphasis.

So squidgy I figured this out. I love blogging! oh, what the hell !!!!!!!!!

X

A Hard Rains A-Gonna Fall

2005-09-08T22:50:00.000-07:00

Some Katrina Heroes

Was directed to this site by Cameron of Vancouver, via Haloscan

My sadness/rage/despair/rage/outrage/rage/anger has no words that can be expressed with any eloquance... please read the above link. If you do, please start at the first entry.

Hopefully this is all I'll blog about this tragedy. I fear if I start my rage will spew forth without end. My heart aches for everyone devastated by this multiple disaster.

X

Edit: 09/09/05
Actually, this fine rant encapsulates everything beautifully for me. Thanks and Kudos to Miss Alli over at This Is Not Over

What's My Name?

2005-09-07T01:30:00.000-07:00

Here's the scoop.

Many people over the years have asked me the story behind the X moniker. Today all will be revealed.

A gazillion years ago Dearest Husband of mine made some weird ass Y chromosome connection between my given name Christine and the abreviated version of Christmas being Xmas. With a self satisfied amusement at his own cleverness in brevity, he started leaving memos for me when he'd have to go flying.
Xtine, gone to Aklavik. be back around 7.
Xtine, run to the airport B back soon.

It wasn't long before Xtine got shortened simply to, X, and others of our aquaintance began to use the new version of my name. Been that way for over 20 years now. So there ya go. The origins of X.

Not much of a story admittedly. I probably could have drawn it out waaaaaaay longer. embellished it here and there but it's late and I'm tired and I've already blogged over at The Belfry Collective

X

PS: If that HTML works first time (from memory), I'll be stunned and amazed.

Life In The Fast Lane

2005-09-05T23:03:00.000-07:00

Sometimes it rocks being me.

Disregarding the occasional urge to run up a clock tower and pick off, one by one, the men 'working' on my house, life is good.

Despite my many foibles and 'f'obias I have friends who love me. Case in point: we arrived home last night around 9:30 pm. As soon as we walked in the house we were greeted by the envy inducing aroma of the meal enjoyed by Gadget Man (who was noticably absent). Without enthusiasm, we unloaded the car then trudged upstairs to embrace the comfort of our house. On the dining room table was a note left-- not by Gadget Man, but by another friend whom had helped our guest move whilst we were gone, it read:

Thought you might be hungry when you got in. Spaghetti Sauce on the stove, pasta just needs to be nuked. There's a salad in the fridge and fresh bread ready to make garlic toast. Enjoy.

How cool is that?

I've said it before and I'll say it again. I have the BEST friends.

X

Our House

2005-09-04T21:57:00.000-07:00

Is a very very very fine house.

Gosh it's good to be home.

Thanks everyone for your good wishes whilst I was sick and again braving the Dempster Highway, and the perils of Whitehorse traffic. I survived all. That's the good news.

The bad news is the credit card didn't take the beating I was hoping. Even though Whitehorse is a much larger community than I'm used too, with many many more stores, they are still a remote northern clime... so still no furniture for the house although I did buy some area rugs (whoop-de-doo). I didn't even buy any gadgetry, or sparklies (as I'm wont to do when I'm desperate to spend)... ah well, there's still the catalogues, and shopping online. I better hurry up though because christmas will be here before I know it and it sure would be nice to fill this barn before then.

In writing news... well there is no writing news. Doofus here forgot her notepad didn't she... so she spent the trip there and back doing puzzles.

Bah! Tomorrow. I'll write tomorrow.

Ciao

X

Downtown

2005-08-31T10:29:00.000-07:00

I'm in the big city, folks.

Well, if 25k people constitute the big city (and for my purposes of whining, it does). So here I am. Stranded in a city I don't know well and given carte blanche by DH to shop (not what you think. We're doing renovations and need everything). He's generously given me the use of the car... which would be fine if I had any clue how to drive in traffic, or lanes, deal with stop lights and ped crossings...

Did I mention I live in a small town? We have peak minute traffic. Road rage is being made to wait at an intersection while 5 cars pass. Mostly we drive down the middle of the road unless there's a car coming in the opposite direction, then we politely move over and share the road.

Anyhoo, Whitehorse. Big scary city. Apparently there's lot's to see and do, Sadly I'm so fixated on not hitting anyone or anything I never take my eyes off the road long enough to look around. But today I'm determined to settle down and RELAX whilst driving.

Sorry, not much of a blog... more of a stress reliever for me than entertaining for you. Hopefully tomorrow I'll have something fun to talk about. Like how I got my revenge by maxing out the credit card.

Have fun,

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