Writing Full Time

Life has been all over the place lately.

Before I went on my trip to Toronto in October, I interviewed for the scanning position I'd held for the past six months. It was a casual position, but my manager really liked my job performance and how well I fit in with everyone. So he opened the job up to a permanent position, which I then had to apply for, because with government jobs here in Nova Scotia he can't simply hire whomever he wants. Seventy-seven people applied for my job, and six people interviewed. A few days before my trip, I had my interview, which went well. But when Brad and I boarded the plane for Toronto, that was my last day at work.

So I had a wonderful trip to Toronto, saw a whole bunch of family and friends that I miss and spent precious time with his dad who is being treated for liver cancer. All the while not knowing if I had a job to come home to.


Got back, kept working on my novel and celebrated my gram's 93rd birthday. On Brad's birthday - the 7th - we went to a special mass for all those from the St. Agnes parish who'd had funerals there in the past year. My dad passed away this March, so Brad and I joined my step mom Doris, my sister Michelle, my step sister Rhonda, and Judy, close friend of my dad's & Doris in a very beautiful ceremony. Doris, Michelle and I went up together to light a candle for Dad when his name was called.

When Brad and I got back from the mass, Mom and I decided that Gram needed to see a doctor. She'd been losing power for that whole week, her legs just giving out so that whoever was shadowing her had to suddenly support Gram's whole weight. Earlier that day I'd had to call for Brad to help me, cause Gram just couldn't make it to her chair in the living room.

An ambulance came and Mom and I spent a late night in emergency until they had Gram all settled for the night. The next few days, Mom and I stayed with Gram in emergency until a bed opened up for her in the regular part of the hospital. At that point, we had to cut our visiting time down because the regular floors have set times for that. By my birthday on the 11th, we needed a break, so my aunt & uncle, and my sister and her boyfriend saw Gram that day. Brad, Mom and I went out for lunch and celebrated my day and then rested.

At that point I'd received the call from my manager about the job, but with very disappointing news. Human Resources gave him another person, even though he asked for me, especially since it was so close. This other person scored 2.5 points higher than me on the interview, so HR insisted she get it. He was so upset!

I was REALLY upset by that news. I've been working at non-benefits jobs for a very long time. With Brad only able to work part time due to his bipolar condition, my quest for a fulltime job with benefits had been so tantalizingly close. I was on pins and needles since that interview on Oct. 10th. The difference it would make for Brad and me is impossible to explain.

So when I heard that it was all back to the drawing board, I have to tell you I really felt low.

I'm waiting on my employment insurance, and Brad is still working, of course. But here I am with an opportunity to write fulltime for awhile, and I'm doing my best to look on the bright side of this whole situation.


For one thing, it's good timing that I'm available to help out with Gram right now. Mom and I spell each other off for visiting. Today is Mom's birthday so I'm taking both visiting shifts, afternoon and evening.

And because of my extreme allergies, I've always battled the effects that a fulltime job gives me due to long workhour exposures to the chemicals present in every office, especially toner, which just kills me. Both Mom and I have noticed how much better I am this past month that I haven't been working.

And Mom and I talked about this opportunity to write fulltime. I know for me the ability to be a fulltime writer has never existed because I need to be the main wage earner. But now it seems that I'm being given a gift, almost.

When one door closes, another one opens.

Thursday Thirteen - 31 - 13 Ways to Enjoy Gerard Butler in Honor of His Birthday, Nov. 13th

I'm busily writing my vampire book. My main character is modelled after Gerard Butler, who recently celebrated his birthday. Since he's been inhabiting my mind this month - I know, it's tough, but someone's got to do it - I thought I'd assemble some visuals to share with you.

Enjoy!

1 - This is an expression my character would have. We'll chalk this one up to research.





















2 - I love the way he's so focused on her. Guys - women find good listeners very sexy.














3 - A meeting of the minds - as in mine and my husband's. I'm into Gerry, he's into Rosario.



















4 - Do people hear Gerry when he's speaking? Or do they all float away just looking into his eyes?



















5 - He can appear so brooding sometimes, and so filled with life at other times. Guess acting was a good way to go for him.





















6 - The sound of his laughter is so infectious!
















7 - Something's always going on inside that mind. As an actor, he does a lot of emoting through that piercing gaze of his.













8 - Parties, galas and premieres - guess it's better than having to ask, "Did you find everything you're looking for?"





















9 - I wouldn't get too annoyed if he was standing up in front of me at a hockey game. Would you?



















10 - Thank heavens he's not the type of guy who'd step on his co-star's evening gown at the premiere party.





















Woops - I guess he is.





















Was he quick enough to charm his way out of that one?





















11 - Who could resist that? Not me...




















12 - He's being introspective again. I'll just listen to his sexy voice for awhile.



















13 - Back to the red carpet, Gerry. It does suit you.

Wordless Wednesday - 25

Alphabet Meme

Two months ago I tagged myself for this meme from Julie Says. Guess that gives you a small window on my world. I file it in the having-so-much-fun-time-flies category. Honestly, two months is nothin', honey.

How this Alphabet Meme works: if you'd like to play along, let me know in the comments and I'll drop by your blog and give you a letter. Here's what Julie did with P.

Here are ten things I love that start with 'T' -

1 - Toys


My favorite toys when I was a kid were my horse and Johnny West tack. It wasn't a Barbie horse but I used it for my Barbie, which wasn't a Barbie but a P.J. doll. This is my real horse and Johnny West out of my photo archives, and that's my sister's Jane West. There's a whole series of photos we took with our Barbies on my sister's Barbie boat. Check out the saddle bags and the delicate reins and halter. All perfectly detailed. The horses's neck could go up and down so he could graze. He was perfect. I'm quite shocked that I can't remember what I named him.



This is a picture of P.J. that I took from Ebay. The Christmas that I got the horse, I also got a red Jeep and a turquois horse trailer. Also not officially Barbie stuff but scaled for me to use with my Barbie family. That was The Best Christmas Ever.










2 - Tune that starts with 'T'

'The Man I Love' by George Gershwin

I loved this song before I met my husband, and when I did meet him those lyrics came true.


Some day he'll come along,
The man I love
And he'll be big and strong,
The man I love
And when he comes my way
I'll do my best to make him stay.

He'll look at me and smile
I'll understand ;
And in a little while,
He'll take my hand ;
And though it seems absurd,
I know we both won't say a word

Maybe I shall meet him Sunday
Maybe Monday, maybe not ;
Still I'm sure to meet him one day
Maybe Tuesday will be my good news day


He'll build a little home
Just meant for two,
From which I'll never roam,
Who would - would you ?
And so all else above
I'm waiting for the man I love.

Have a listen - The Man I Love





3 - Tornados don't appear in Nova Scotia


I'm completely petrified by tornados. One of the best things about living on Canada's east coast is the lack of these killer storms.

Sure, we get hurricanes. Hurricanes aren't much fun. You do get a fair amount of warning before one of those. Tornados, not so much. Here's some footage of a tornado if you like to freak yourself out.





4 - Toronto!


I moved to Toronto when I was 21 in 1986. Spent my 20's and the first part of my 30's there and had the time of my life. I love big city living - I'm an urban girl, through and through. Just returned from a trip there to celebrate my parents-in-law's 50th wedding anniversary.










That is one happy TTC rider. (Toronto Transit Commission)











Here's me happily chatting with my sister-in-law Anna, with family and friends in the background. This was later in the evening when there was room to blink.


Here I am with two of my sisters-in-law, Violet to the left and Anna to my right. On the wall behind us is one of Violet's paintings. I'll be featuring both of my artist sisters-in-law in future Thursday Thirteens.










The cameras were flashing and the Smiths knew what it was like to face 'Entertainment Tonight'. Clockwise from left, my husband Brad, Brad's dad, Brad's mom, Karen, Ken and Jeff (in front.)


Here's me trying out the timer on the new camera. I've managed to marry into a family of giants. Hanging out with the bro - Brad and I had dinner at his brother Jeff's. You see why I miss Toronto so much?



5 - Trifle



My mom makes an awesome trifle. She has a glass trifle bowl just like this one. She normally puts different fruit in for color. My mom is all about color. Normally hers has strawberries, blueberries, cherries, kikw fruit and pomegranate.

Basic Trifle Recipe

I LOVE it when my mom makes trifle.



6 - TV show




















The Colbert Report

I usually watch this late at night before I go to bed. Mom will ask me the next day, "What were you laughing at last night?" It's always something on Stephen Colbert's show. Like one of his three-line opening zingers, when he stares down each camera set-up: "Pope Benedict, you'll always be Cardinal Ratzinger to me."

7 - Tickets to shows


I love tickets to shows. I've saved a lot of them over the years. Generally I put them in my photo albums as mementos, which I've always done. When scrapbooking came along, I realized I'd always been doing that before they came up with a term for it.


I don't save every ticket stub, but 'Beowulf and Grendel' was special to me because a grassroots movement of Gerry Butler fans helped a small independent film get wider screening. Power to the people!

8 - Theatre


I love going to the theatre. Live theatre, cinema - I'm there. I've worked at several theatres, including this one. I met my husband Brad here. It's no longer standing, although it was a handsome space, used often by local Toronto television if they needed to shoot interviews in a nice older theatre.















There was something about this doorman/usher...


This is me at the candy counter where Brad and I started chatting while waiting for the next show to come in.


Our manager, Dick Dalhouse is kneeling by the podium. That's me in the front row, far right. Brad is in the back row, center.




9 - Turkey


I'm not a huge meat-lover, but when it comes to turkey, I am there!













10 - Trees


I love being out in the woods.

















Spring flowering trees and shrubs make my heart sing.








Fall leaves in their glory are my favorite thing in nature.











Favorite tree of all - the Christmas tree.

Poetry Train Monday - 25 - Dulce Et Decorum Est

As someone born on Remembrance Day, I have carried the 'laying down of arms' to heart all of my life. Inside of me there's a warrior spirit, ready to stand and protect, to do the hardest of duties. But guiding my tongue is the spirit of the peace dove. I seek to diffuse, to calm, to find that win-win.


For today's Poetry Monday, I want to share this convention-breaking poem written by a World War I soldier. Wilfred Owen is part of a select group known as war poets. Already writing sophisticated poetry before he served, Owen continued to write throughout the war.

"He threw himself into combat, often recklessly. While his unit was crossing a canal near the village of Ors in pursuit of the retreating German forces, Owen was shot and killed by the water's edge. He was only 25 - and the war was just seven days from its end." (British Library, Online Gallery, English Literature)



The title translates to 'It is sweet and right'



Dulce Et Decorum Est









Bent double, like old beggars under sacks,
Knock-kneed, coughing like hags, we cursed through sludge,
Till on the haunting flares we turned our backs
And towards our distant rest began to trudge.
Men marched asleep. Many had lost their boots
But limped on, blood-shod. All went lame; all blind;
Drunk with fatigue; deaf even to the hoots
Of disappointed shells that dropped behind.

GAS! Gas! Quick, boys!-- An ecstasy of fumbling,
Fitting the clumsy helmets just in time;
But someone still was yelling out and stumbling
And floundering like a man in fire or lime.--
Dim, through the misty panes and thick green light
As under a green sea, I saw him drowning.

In all my dreams, before my helpless sight,
He plunges at me, guttering, choking, drowning.

If in some smothering dreams you too could pace
Behind the wagon that we flung him in,
And watch the white eyes writhing in his face,
His hanging face, like a devil's sick of sin;
If you could hear, at every jolt, the blood
Come gargling from the froth-corrupted lungs,
Obscene as cancer, bitter as the cud
Of vile, incurable sores on innocent tongues,--
My friend, you would not tell with such high zest
To children ardent for some desperate glory,
The old Lie: Dulce et decorum est
Pro patria mori.


Wilfred Owen - 1917


"Dulce et decorum est" - "It is sweet and right"
"Pro patria mori" - "To die for the homeland"


Painting - "Gassed", 1919 by John Singer Sargent

Photograph of Wilfred Owen's Manchester Regiment in No Man's Land

Thursday Thirteen - 30 - 13 Works by Nova Scotia Artist Holly Carr

Holly Carr is a silk artist who makes her home in Canning, Nova Scotia, along the Minas Basin in King's County. She's created limited-edition works in support of the 16th annual Festival of Trees, taking place from November 23-25.



"Someone’s mother. Someone’s father.
Someone’s husband. Someone’s wife.
Someone’s brother. Someone’s sister.
Someone’s daughter. Someone’s son . . . "






The Festival of Trees supports the Mental Health Foundation of Nova Scotia, and as the wife of a bipolar husband, I'm always so very touched when this festival begins. Money raised from the sale of these Harmony Angel silk pieces - modelled here by Ms. Carr - go to programs funded by the Mental Health Foundation of Nova Scotia.

Photo by Peter Parsons

Ms. Carr designed and created a 3-D tree for the 2003 festival which included panels of the 12 Days of Christmas. For the 2007 Harmony Angels, Ms. Carr says, "I like the idea that absolutely no two are exactly alike. We use the same design - one angel has a star, the other a horn - the same colour combination, but every little face is different. And they are all hand-signed."


This year Ms. Carr has designed these limited-edition Christmas ornaments which honour the Canadian Forces as well as benefiting the Mental Health Foundation. The ornaments hang from a yellow ribbon, evocative of the ribbons used by the public to show support for the troops. Carr's angel holds a star that echoes the line: 'Star of wonder, star of night' from the carol 'We Three Kings of Orient Are'.


For today's Thursday Thirteen, I'm very pleased to bring you thirteen works by Holly Carr, whose work I've long admired. Let's stroll along my cyber gallery, shall we?


1 - "Urban Decoration"
















2 - "A Night of Theatre"













3 - "Pastries"











4 - "Crane Arrangement"
















5 - "Wendy's Dream"
















6 - "Taming the Dragon"
















7 - "Big Wet Kiss"












8 - "Waterlilys"














9 - "Raven's Egg"












10 - "Hare and Goldfinch"









11 - "The Muse"














12 - "Peacock in a Pear Tree"
















13 - "Terrarium"

An Interactive Installation at Halifax's Museum of Natural History
which ran from June-September, 2003






Holly Carr oversees the installation














Five panels from "Terrarium"







Ms. Carr has toured Canada with Stuart McLean's "Vinyl Cafe", working on original art pieces onstage. She participated in an onstage theatre event called "Private Views" through the Atlantic Theatre Festival, again creating original pieces during the performance. For the Festival of Trees, Ms. Carr will paint a new piece which will be auctioned off at the sold-out black tie gala on November 24th at the World Trade and Convention Centre.

Here's the artist now. She's chatting with 'Chronicle Herald' entertainment reporter Andrea Nemetz.

"Because I handpaint with a brush and use no reproduction process, I knew I would be doing at least 250 paintings," she says about the Harmony Angels silk runners or wraps. "In the end it was 500 pieces. Which was overwhelming, but fun and challenging."













Here's a handpainted silk scarf my mom received as a gift from her friend Carolyn several years ago. I love Ms. Carr's angels!





Thank you so much, Ms. Carr for this opportunity to share your work on 'A Piece of My Mind'. And deeply heartfelt thanks for sharing your talent and time with all the families whose lives are kept ontrack through the Mental Health Foundation of Nova Scotia.