Witchy Thing
A bunch of us were out on Total Sushi Pig Out at Sushi Moushi (on Decarie below Queen Mary). We've been there a few times and it's always fun, but they should have a trolley service to haul their clientele's sushified carcasses home. We always walked (or rolled) our way out of Sushi Moushi stuffed.
While we were waiting for our sushi (that's the one downside to ordering fresh sushi: you will definitely wait), Mary-Anna turned to Ms. Carotte and asked her when we were planning on getting married.
Let me state for the record that I have no intention of marrying Ms. Carotte in the near future. I'm not saying that I will never get married, but (ye Gods) we only started dating in April of 2003. I'm not in a hurry to tie the knot and I feel no obligation to do so as of this moment. I have great respect for the institution of marriage and that means that I will approach the marriage thing when I feel ready for it, not before. Too many people see marriage as some kind of obligation while I see it as an option, no proof of how you feel about someone.
But that will be a rant for another day.
So Mary-Anna asked her question about marriage, but she corrected herself immediately and said "Oh, I know there'll be two ceremonies: the normal one and then the witchy one."
Thursday, February 03, 2005
Catching Up
Alot's been going on lately, so here's the catch-up post:
Alot's been going on lately, so here's the catch-up post:
- Loving the new car! It's been 6 years since I owned a car, but this is my first brand new car (with the new car smell). I'm really loving the freedom it provides to be able to get to places that are not accessible by bus/metro/walking (or it may be accessible by BMW, but it takes about 2 hours to get there as opposed to 20 minutes by car).
- Business is picking up and more or less steady. I've really been pushing the networking thing lately, so I'm hoping one of my business cards will end up in the right spot at the right time.
- Life with Ms. Carotte is great and we're working out the kinks and bumps of sharing a space together quite nicely. After six years of living alone, I've gotten right set in my ways without realizing it. The adjustment is worth it, but it is an adjustment.
- The Book/CD is almooooooooooooost done. I know I've been saying this for months now, but the proofs for the book covers and the CDs are being printed up by the printer as we speak. We've gotten the ISBN number for the publication and we're registered with CIP, so we're an official Canadian publication.
I sure hope this works. We're printing up 500 copies of the Book/CD to start. I figure it'll take the better part of the year to sell all of them. Otherwise, I may have to use the unsold ones as table steadiers or wall padding. It's not too late for a pre-order, so send me an email and I'll add you to the list for an autographed Book/CD at a reduced price!
- We've got two big shows coming up:
- On February 14th (Monday night), we've got a Valentine's Day supper and storytelling show at the Gryphon D'Or Cafe on Monkland (click here for more info).
- On March 24th, we'll be hosting Melanie Ray from Vancouver who will be telling the story of Tristan and Iseult. We're still trying to find a space to put this on, but stay tuned for more information about it!
Tuesday, February 01, 2005
Loblaws Blahblah Blues
Ms. Carotte had a craving for some ice creamy goodness last night, so I decided to kill two birds with one stone and bring some empties to the local Loblaws. Many places won't take empty beer bottles nowadays, so I'm limited in where I can go. I'm not selling out, dammit!
So I drop the empties off at the info counter and while I waited for the change to come back, I noticed a sign that said there were community rooms to be booked. While I don't think I could rent a Loblaw room for a Full Moon Wiccan Ritual, it might be an alternative spot to have a workshop.
"Excuse me," I said to the Loblaws Henchman behind the counter. "How much is it to book one of the community rooms?"
The henchman looked at me blankly. "... What?"
Me: "The community rooms... How much are they to book?"
HM: "I don't know... I must scan first."
Me: "You need to scan--? What do you need to scan?"
HM: "What?"
Me: (sigh) "What do you need to scan? The room?"
HM: "What?"
Me: "Look... I just want to know how much it is to book a community room for a workshop."
HM: "I cannot tell you price until I scan." He points to the scanning machine and makes a sweeping motion.
Me: "Wait wait... What are you scanning?"
HM: "What?"
Me: "What are you scanning? Why can't you just tell me the price for booking a room?"
HM: (exasperated) "I need to scan your community book before I can tell you price."
Me: "I'm not buying a book!! I want to know the price of reserving a community room."
HM: "Oh. I don't know. Call this number tomorrow and he'll tell you."
Sheesh. And I still don't know how much it is to book a room at the Loblaws. I'm actually afraid to call and hear the guy trying to scan the phone to see how much he's paying per minute.
Ms. Carotte had a craving for some ice creamy goodness last night, so I decided to kill two birds with one stone and bring some empties to the local Loblaws. Many places won't take empty beer bottles nowadays, so I'm limited in where I can go. I'm not selling out, dammit!
So I drop the empties off at the info counter and while I waited for the change to come back, I noticed a sign that said there were community rooms to be booked. While I don't think I could rent a Loblaw room for a Full Moon Wiccan Ritual, it might be an alternative spot to have a workshop.
"Excuse me," I said to the Loblaws Henchman behind the counter. "How much is it to book one of the community rooms?"
The henchman looked at me blankly. "... What?"
Me: "The community rooms... How much are they to book?"
HM: "I don't know... I must scan first."
Me: "You need to scan--? What do you need to scan?"
HM: "What?"
Me: (sigh) "What do you need to scan? The room?"
HM: "What?"
Me: "Look... I just want to know how much it is to book a community room for a workshop."
HM: "I cannot tell you price until I scan." He points to the scanning machine and makes a sweeping motion.
Me: "Wait wait... What are you scanning?"
HM: "What?"
Me: "What are you scanning? Why can't you just tell me the price for booking a room?"
HM: (exasperated) "I need to scan your community book before I can tell you price."
Me: "I'm not buying a book!! I want to know the price of reserving a community room."
HM: "Oh. I don't know. Call this number tomorrow and he'll tell you."
Sheesh. And I still don't know how much it is to book a room at the Loblaws. I'm actually afraid to call and hear the guy trying to scan the phone to see how much he's paying per minute.
Monday, January 31, 2005
Editing
You need a few characterisitcs to be a sucessful writer and they may not be what you think. You need discipline, perseverance, and the ability to process criticism. And it would be nice if you could string a few words together that follow some kind of grammatical standard... *g*
Editors can have it tough, mainly because they have to deal with writers or would-be writers. Writing can be such a personal form of expression (even in technical writing) that any form of correction can be taken as a personal attack.
When I'm asked to edit someone's work, the review process can sometimes be bogged down in debate. Instead of personally evaluating each comment, the author will try to justify the original version of every edit ("No no... We can't change that. I wrote that like that because of blahblahblah, so that has to stay that way"). Dude... you asked for my opinion, so here's my opinion.
There's a reason I don't edit student papers, especially in literature studies. There's a feeling among Lit students that their papers are supposed to be vague and unclear, as if it were hiding gems of insight that are better implied than actually stated. This is not completely the fault of the students because their teachers are the ones encouraging this practice of non-modern writing.
But that's a beef for another day...
I remember my first class at the Université de Sherbrooke (in the Professional Writing program): we were 20 writing students, all of us confident in our superior writing skills. When we received our first assignment back from the teacher, expecting it to have been well-received. Instead there was criticism scrawled in red all over our masterpieces! The gambit of emotions that each person was going through could clearly been seen on our faces: smug confidence, growing shock and dismay (as we counted the number of corrections), giving way to anger and indignation.
I'll never forget that day: the day we thought we were had reached the summit of our writing prowess, only to realize we were standing on a speed bump.
But we as writers need to learn how to accept, evaluate, and process criticism if we want to grow and refine our craft. It's important to be able to take a step back and evaluate our writing on its own merits (or demerits) and accept that it could probably be improved.
That doesn't mean we have to take every criticism and incorporate it into our writing! There are plenty of Yahoos out there will ill-informed opinions (and loud too), but we can use our own judgement to evaluate where these criticisms are coming from. Is this a person I respect? Is this person concerned about the quality of my work, or is he/she using my work as a way to put me down? Taking a step back, is this criticism applicable and would it really make my work better?
These are all valid questions, and going through the process of weeding out good suggestions from bad suggestions will certainly make you a better writer in the end.
But, as a writer, you have to be willing. You have to be willing to admit that there's always room for improvement (which is a humbling thought) before you can accept such criticism. Until then, you run the risk of getting stuck in your own perceived greatness and will evolve at a much slower rate.
When you are ready to bring your writing to the next level, find an editor that you trust and trust your editor. It's not a sign of weakness to have your work checked by a trained editor who can spot trouble areas that you cannot see, being too close to your own work.
If anything, it's a sign of strength and confidence in your talent as a Creator, as a Writer, and as an Artist.
You need a few characterisitcs to be a sucessful writer and they may not be what you think. You need discipline, perseverance, and the ability to process criticism. And it would be nice if you could string a few words together that follow some kind of grammatical standard... *g*
Editors can have it tough, mainly because they have to deal with writers or would-be writers. Writing can be such a personal form of expression (even in technical writing) that any form of correction can be taken as a personal attack.
When I'm asked to edit someone's work, the review process can sometimes be bogged down in debate. Instead of personally evaluating each comment, the author will try to justify the original version of every edit ("No no... We can't change that. I wrote that like that because of blahblahblah, so that has to stay that way"). Dude... you asked for my opinion, so here's my opinion.
There's a reason I don't edit student papers, especially in literature studies. There's a feeling among Lit students that their papers are supposed to be vague and unclear, as if it were hiding gems of insight that are better implied than actually stated. This is not completely the fault of the students because their teachers are the ones encouraging this practice of non-modern writing.
But that's a beef for another day...
I remember my first class at the Université de Sherbrooke (in the Professional Writing program): we were 20 writing students, all of us confident in our superior writing skills. When we received our first assignment back from the teacher, expecting it to have been well-received. Instead there was criticism scrawled in red all over our masterpieces! The gambit of emotions that each person was going through could clearly been seen on our faces: smug confidence, growing shock and dismay (as we counted the number of corrections), giving way to anger and indignation.
I'll never forget that day: the day we thought we were had reached the summit of our writing prowess, only to realize we were standing on a speed bump.
But we as writers need to learn how to accept, evaluate, and process criticism if we want to grow and refine our craft. It's important to be able to take a step back and evaluate our writing on its own merits (or demerits) and accept that it could probably be improved.
That doesn't mean we have to take every criticism and incorporate it into our writing! There are plenty of Yahoos out there will ill-informed opinions (and loud too), but we can use our own judgement to evaluate where these criticisms are coming from. Is this a person I respect? Is this person concerned about the quality of my work, or is he/she using my work as a way to put me down? Taking a step back, is this criticism applicable and would it really make my work better?
These are all valid questions, and going through the process of weeding out good suggestions from bad suggestions will certainly make you a better writer in the end.
But, as a writer, you have to be willing. You have to be willing to admit that there's always room for improvement (which is a humbling thought) before you can accept such criticism. Until then, you run the risk of getting stuck in your own perceived greatness and will evolve at a much slower rate.
When you are ready to bring your writing to the next level, find an editor that you trust and trust your editor. It's not a sign of weakness to have your work checked by a trained editor who can spot trouble areas that you cannot see, being too close to your own work.
If anything, it's a sign of strength and confidence in your talent as a Creator, as a Writer, and as an Artist.
Tuesday, January 11, 2005
No Small Parts
A few weeks ago, I was saddened to hear that Jerry Orbach did the big Exit Stage Left (pursued by a bear). I'm a pretty big Law and Order fan, but I was looking forward to see what Orbach would do after leaving the show. I was especially hoping to be able to go to New York to see him on stage, since he's such a song and dance man on broadway.
Alas and alack, missed opportunities, and all that jazz.
If you've been following Law and Order over the years, you'll know that all the roles have been played by multiple people as the seasons pass. The roles have been steady though, so you can always refer to them as the two detectives, the DA, the assistant DA, and the main lawyer guy, the psychologist, and a plethora of judges and defense lawyers.
I think Jerry Orbach cornered the market on the detective role enough that most people will refer to his part as "The Lenny Guy". The other detective role might be referred to as "The Chris Noth guy".
I figure the camp will be divided on who would be the better prosecuting lawyer, Moriarity or Waterson (I think Jack McCoy is more entertaining to watch). Each actor brought his own spin to that role, so they're not interchangable. His sidekick, however, seems to be pretty generic.
But in the end, Lenny will live forever.
A few weeks ago, I was saddened to hear that Jerry Orbach did the big Exit Stage Left (pursued by a bear). I'm a pretty big Law and Order fan, but I was looking forward to see what Orbach would do after leaving the show. I was especially hoping to be able to go to New York to see him on stage, since he's such a song and dance man on broadway.
Alas and alack, missed opportunities, and all that jazz.
If you've been following Law and Order over the years, you'll know that all the roles have been played by multiple people as the seasons pass. The roles have been steady though, so you can always refer to them as the two detectives, the DA, the assistant DA, and the main lawyer guy, the psychologist, and a plethora of judges and defense lawyers.
I think Jerry Orbach cornered the market on the detective role enough that most people will refer to his part as "The Lenny Guy". The other detective role might be referred to as "The Chris Noth guy".
I figure the camp will be divided on who would be the better prosecuting lawyer, Moriarity or Waterson (I think Jack McCoy is more entertaining to watch). Each actor brought his own spin to that role, so they're not interchangable. His sidekick, however, seems to be pretty generic.
But in the end, Lenny will live forever.
Thursday, January 06, 2005
Read'em and Weep
Some of my poker buddies just got back from their Christmas vacations yesterday, but I'm still too sick to welcome them back. Drat. My energy levels are getting better though, so it's encouraging. Slowly but surely.
I was relavtively recently introduced to the joys of poker, but my poker-face skills need work (as illustrated by this comic strip). I'm doing better the more I practice though, so now I'm either breaking even or just below breaking even. I need to get back into a game though... I want to hone my skills so that I can hold my own in the Annual Male Prosperity Ritual (a poker game) at the Kaleidoscope pagan festival.
Still... It's all in good fun. It's more about psyching out your oppoonents and trashing talking than it is about counting the chips at the end of the round (and humming Kenny Rogers' tunes).
Some of my poker buddies just got back from their Christmas vacations yesterday, but I'm still too sick to welcome them back. Drat. My energy levels are getting better though, so it's encouraging. Slowly but surely.
I was relavtively recently introduced to the joys of poker, but my poker-face skills need work (as illustrated by this comic strip). I'm doing better the more I practice though, so now I'm either breaking even or just below breaking even. I need to get back into a game though... I want to hone my skills so that I can hold my own in the Annual Male Prosperity Ritual (a poker game) at the Kaleidoscope pagan festival.
Still... It's all in good fun. It's more about psyching out your oppoonents and trashing talking than it is about counting the chips at the end of the round (and humming Kenny Rogers' tunes).
Wednesday, January 05, 2005
Back on my Feet, Still Wobbly
After four days of feeling wretched, I'm finally more or less on my feet again. I've still got a nasty cough that rattles in my chest and gives me a throbbing headache each time, but my energy level is back up and that means I can now go and run my errands.
It's amazing how, when I'm sick, I can't remember how it felt to be well and having the energy and stamina to do all the normal things in life. After a couple of being weakened, I started re-examining my life and trying to determine what I could still do in this weakened state.
After four days of feeling wretched, I'm finally more or less on my feet again. I've still got a nasty cough that rattles in my chest and gives me a throbbing headache each time, but my energy level is back up and that means I can now go and run my errands.
It's amazing how, when I'm sick, I can't remember how it felt to be well and having the energy and stamina to do all the normal things in life. After a couple of being weakened, I started re-examining my life and trying to determine what I could still do in this weakened state.
Tuesday, January 04, 2005
Trip of the Magi
A good chunk of this holiday season was spent behind the wheel, which is going to be a fact of life when your partner's family lives in Toronto and your own family lives in Quebec city (we logged over 2200 km on the rental). Six hours to Toronto (plus 4 hours to Perry Sound), 12 hours getting to Quebec city (with a stopover in Montreal), and three hours coming back to Montreal. I'm just about done with long-distance treks for awhile, thanks.
Overall, it was enjoyable to spend Christmas with a large family and I got my first Christmas stocking. Ms. Carotte's family does the whole stocking thing where each person stuffs gifts into a stocking for everone else. Is it a Quebecois thing to not do the Christmas stocking exchange, or was it just my family?
New Year's Eve was spent with friends, drinking egg nog and watching the ball drop in NYC. Ms. Carotte's wasn't feeling well, so she went to bed early.
The next day though... oof. Ms. Carotte's came down with a nasty bit of flu and then I got it a day later. This is always the way of things: today, I was supposed to go to the Toyota dealership and get my 2005 Matrix, but with the state I'm in now, that'll have to wait until the room stops spinning.
Nuts.
A good chunk of this holiday season was spent behind the wheel, which is going to be a fact of life when your partner's family lives in Toronto and your own family lives in Quebec city (we logged over 2200 km on the rental). Six hours to Toronto (plus 4 hours to Perry Sound), 12 hours getting to Quebec city (with a stopover in Montreal), and three hours coming back to Montreal. I'm just about done with long-distance treks for awhile, thanks.
Overall, it was enjoyable to spend Christmas with a large family and I got my first Christmas stocking. Ms. Carotte's family does the whole stocking thing where each person stuffs gifts into a stocking for everone else. Is it a Quebecois thing to not do the Christmas stocking exchange, or was it just my family?
New Year's Eve was spent with friends, drinking egg nog and watching the ball drop in NYC. Ms. Carotte's wasn't feeling well, so she went to bed early.
The next day though... oof. Ms. Carotte's came down with a nasty bit of flu and then I got it a day later. This is always the way of things: today, I was supposed to go to the Toyota dealership and get my 2005 Matrix, but with the state I'm in now, that'll have to wait until the room stops spinning.
Nuts.
Tuesday, December 21, 2004
My Girlfriend Dared Me to Say This
I know I haven't been writing much lately, but my Christian girlfriend has been leaving her Bible in random places in the apartment, so my hands are so scalded from picking it up so often, it makes it difficult to type.
How's that for Culturally Appropriate Christmas Sentiment (tm)?
But this is from me:
'Tis the season to be jolly and grateful, so I just want to thank all of my readers who pop in to see what thoughtblob has being gracefully ejected from my brain and onto electronic techno-paper. I run into you people fairly regularly (like at tonight's Yule Ritual where I got to play Ra the Sun God) and I'm always pleased and flattered to find out that you take the time ("Oh yeah, I read your blog all the time." // "You do?!?!").
Happy Yule and a Merry Christmas to you all! I look forward to hoisting a pint with you in the New Year!
I know I haven't been writing much lately, but my Christian girlfriend has been leaving her Bible in random places in the apartment, so my hands are so scalded from picking it up so often, it makes it difficult to type.
How's that for Culturally Appropriate Christmas Sentiment (tm)?
But this is from me:
'Tis the season to be jolly and grateful, so I just want to thank all of my readers who pop in to see what thoughtblob has being gracefully ejected from my brain and onto electronic techno-paper. I run into you people fairly regularly (like at tonight's Yule Ritual where I got to play Ra the Sun God) and I'm always pleased and flattered to find out that you take the time ("Oh yeah, I read your blog all the time." // "You do?!?!").
Happy Yule and a Merry Christmas to you all! I look forward to hoisting a pint with you in the New Year!
Sunday, December 19, 2004
High-End Tea
I was out Xmas shopping yesterday and I swung by Hogg hardware on Sherbrooke to pick up a teapot and cup for a friend of mine. I had spotted this tea set about a month ago and decided this would be the present for her, but I hadn't checked the price. It's a teapot and a mug (from the Bridgewater set), I figured. I was sure I could afford it.
The teapot was white with black lettering, as was the mug. The mug itself could hold a pint of tea and it read "I'm not greedy. I just like a lot." Perfect, I thought.
Until I stopped in yesterday and saw the price: teapot: $125 // mug: $48. With jaw hanging askew, I put them back on the shelf and headed of to the Craft Fair at Bonaventure.
To get a teapot and mug for $175 (plus tax), it had better fill with Lady Grey tea magically on command. I wish I could be living in that lifestyle, but I'm far from it.
But speaking of big purchases, I spent last week looking at three types of cars and I decided I would take a decision on them. I've decided to go with a 2005 Toyota Matrix and I'll start the process of purchasing it on Monday. Hopefully, it will all go through. Wish me luck!
I was out Xmas shopping yesterday and I swung by Hogg hardware on Sherbrooke to pick up a teapot and cup for a friend of mine. I had spotted this tea set about a month ago and decided this would be the present for her, but I hadn't checked the price. It's a teapot and a mug (from the Bridgewater set), I figured. I was sure I could afford it.
The teapot was white with black lettering, as was the mug. The mug itself could hold a pint of tea and it read "I'm not greedy. I just like a lot." Perfect, I thought.
Until I stopped in yesterday and saw the price: teapot: $125 // mug: $48. With jaw hanging askew, I put them back on the shelf and headed of to the Craft Fair at Bonaventure.
To get a teapot and mug for $175 (plus tax), it had better fill with Lady Grey tea magically on command. I wish I could be living in that lifestyle, but I'm far from it.
But speaking of big purchases, I spent last week looking at three types of cars and I decided I would take a decision on them. I've decided to go with a 2005 Toyota Matrix and I'll start the process of purchasing it on Monday. Hopefully, it will all go through. Wish me luck!
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