G.R.A.B.

When I was a kid, GRAB stood for 'Go Read A Book' month. Every year, my school would have a themed month dedicated to reading. At random intervals, a sounder would go over the intercom and we'd have to drop whatever we were doing, sit down, and read. We had to carry a book wherever we went. There were other activities as well... book readings from local celebs, etc. My favorite part was the themes... my favorite was one we had themed after art and van Gough's 'Stary, Stary Night' (it was also my first introduction to Don McLean).

Every year, we'd make a GRAB flag and at the end of the month, we'd hang it up in the library with all of the other GRAB flags. I'm sure this would be illegal now, but every class room would choose a favorite book and decorate their door in a huge fire hazard tribute.

I also had the best librarian. Mr. Angst had a huge stump sitting in the library and he'd pull out these awesome puppets and tell us the best stories while he sat on it. Mr. Angst was the best. Everyone loved him. His reading voice was amazing and completely trapped all of us.

In the 6th grade, I had an amazing teacher by the name of Mr. Shellenberg. He used to read to us every day. He'd tell us that he'd like for us to listen, but if we just wanted to sit and 'vegde', that was fine. His reading voice was also captivating and he'd get into the story and just pull you in. He was also an amateur writer and he'd often read us his work. I still wonder how the novel he was working on ended. He was also the first teacher to actually look at me and recognize some sort of talent. I remember him calling me 'flippant' on my report card and following it up with a rant on how smart I was and how I needed to apply myself. None of it was mean, it was all said in a way to motivate me. And it did.

One of my many Grandmas (long story) was a librarian. She's my last living grandparent and she still sends me books every Christmas. They'd always come with a bookmark from her local book store and a note on why she was sure I would love whatever she was sending me. It was obvious that she spent a great deal of time and effort choosing just the perfect book to nurture my mind. Some of my favorites came from her... Anne of Green Gables, Walk Two Moons, etc. Even though her love for books was earnest, I found out recently that she did many things to continue what my maternal grandmother had started. When I was really little, my maternal grandmother bought me the whole box set of Little House on the Prairie and I still remember sitting up in my room, reading extra chapters long after my mother had read our nightly chapter to me. I was finishing novels before most kids could manage a primer. When my Grandma died, my Grandma Evans continued to send me books. Recently, I found out that my mother sent her wool that my maternal grandma had bought to knit me a blanket. I've always had this gorgeous lavender blanket from my Grandma Evans and I've always loved it, but I never knew that she took the wool my mother had sent her and made it for me when my maternal grandmother couldn't. Needless to say, my Grandma Evans is one of the kindest people I've ever known and I'm truly lucky to still have her in my life.

All of these experiences contributed to who I am today and the people involved have no idea how much they shaped my life for the better. I`m seeing a bit of a resurgence in YA reading lately and I hope that these kids will have just as many positive role models in their lives.

Writing Jobs

I applied for a few writing jobs today. Mostly web based reviewing of books, tv shows, etc. One of them looks pretty legit, the other I don't have enough info yet to decide if it's a scam :P

In reality, I really don't care if the pay is low or nil. Neither of these jobs are meant to pay my rent. They're meant to build my portfolio. So, bring on the scams! Just kidding. Don't bring on the scams. Basically, I'm willing to work for nice people for peanuts if, in return, I'm given the chance to write about things that I really love and use that writing to secure better paying jobs.

Oh, and most of all, they're meant to force to me write. You know, with a deadline and everything! Because I think that's something I need to get used to once again.

Skate Questions...

If the off chance that a skater reads this...

I'm buying new skates (boots and blades) and I'm a bit confused on what to buy. Right now, I have Jackson boots and blades. I love the shape of the Jackson boot, but I HATE (absolutely hate) the blades. HATE! I can't turn over into a spin as easily as I'd like and they feel tougher on the ice than the other blades I've used.

I used to use Risport boots. I think they're a little narrow for my feet and I never did get a really good fit although they were super comfortable.

So, for boots, I'd like the inside comfort of Risport and the shape of a Jackson. I'm thinking Ridell. One of their top 'medallion' brands? Nothing too fancy. I've heard that Ridell skates are nice and light and my Risports were a little heavy. Jacksons were in between. Before anyone suggests Gam, I've already decided against it. Aren't they pretty much the same as a Jackson?

As for blades, my hate for Jackson/Ultima knows no bounds. I actually literally hate my blades. I loved the Club 2000's I had on a pair of Risports a couple pairs of skates ago, but when I looked them up online, the listing proclaimed 'Great for Beginners!' Anyone know of something similar to a Club 2000 that will hold up to higher level skills, jumps and dance? That doesn't feel like you're dragging through sand (like my Jackson's)?

I'm looking to spend anywhere from $300-$500, so no custom fit crazyness, but I will pay for quality. Most of all, I'm looking for a good blade recommendation because they're the only thing you can't really try on before you buy. I can put the boots on and see how they feel... see if they're light enough... but I can't test out a blade before having it screwed on, so any help picking a good set would be appreciated.

Writing An Intelligent Character

I'm having trouble writing an intelligent character. He seems to come off... pretentious and that's not what I'm going for.

I once interviewed a prof from UBC about a space telescope. He recently was made OC and is probably one of the smartest people in Canada. In fact, I heard that he's included in the special features of the new Stargate DVD explaining real life science behind the story. He's a good choice for that because during our conversation, although his IQ is probably through the roof, he never once made me feel stupid or that I was out of my league. He explained everything to me in terms that I could understand with such wonder in his voice that it made me want to take some of his classes at UBC. He was completely unpretentious and generous with his time and nice and highly intelligent. We went off on a tangent about life out there and his thoughts on it and talked sci fi tv and I thought he sounded like Phlox a little bit :P Just an all around nice guy who happens to have more brains than me and both of my brothers combined (and we're all pretty smart people). He was well adjusted (not socially stupid like so many other geniuses are portrayed), talkative, relatable and friendly.

I want my character to be like that prof. But, he's coming off more like Rodney McKay. It's a fine line... this character is highly intelligent and if he's not careful, he can make others feel stupid without really trying... just by explaining. I might take this flaw and make it a bit comical, but for the most part, I'd like to have him be less Rodney and more space telescope guy. I'm not sure how to do it... I don't want to take away from his intelligence and that's what it feels like I'm doing when I change his dialogue. He is really smart and I want that to show without him seeming high class, high strung, high attitude or God like or something stupid like that.

For the life of me, I can't think of an easy going, nice, jovial, genius character to use as an example and look to for advice. Any suggestions would be welcome.

Endings

Does anyone else have problems writing endings? For me, I have a hard time making them live up to the script they close up.

The screenplay I'm working on right now has a lot of drama. A lot. I wrote an ending that I feel clears things up a little too quickly when you take that into consideration. I think the characters should have to work through things just a bit more. I like the way things conclude. I like the outcome. I just think the getting there needs some more work.

So, I've outlined a few prospective endings with the same outcome but with a different final pattern of events. I've also outlined one that changes the outcome just to see how it feels.

You'd think that this would fix things, right? I'd choose one and move forward. No. I'm still confused and a little indecisive. It still doesn't feel comfortable and I don't know why.

Another Fav Song

One of my favorite BNL songs:



I have to admit that my first thought while watching this vid was 'Hmmm... I wonder if he's on coke, too?'

I hate to say it, but it's just... different now. I know it sounds stupid. What people do in their own lives is their own business as long as they're not kicking puppies or killing babies... but coke? This is the price the whole band will have to pay. Many people will just look at their music differently now. So, while I still believe that what you do in your own life is your own business, I guess what I'm saying is that I don't have to like it and I won't not look at you differently.

Ryan Dinwiddie: Yay or Nay

I say nay. I didn't like what I saw from him this evening. His second half was a little better, but still not good. I have to agree with the guys on TSN... he just doesn't have the arm, and against a team like TO, it really shows. He's not well matched with their defence.

Ryan is a competent QB. Is he right for the Bombers right now? No. I don't think so.

I also have to say that I was super pissed off to see that Kevin was sat. The guy was runner up for MVP last year and led the Bombers to a Grey Cup appearance. Yes, I agree that he hasn't been playing his best, but it's not just him. They're making an example out of him and that's something that I can't stand. The guy is coming back from a snapped arm. Sure, it wasn't his throwing arm, but I'd be willing to guess that he spent most of the off season in a cast and is feeling a little off.

Kevin deserved more of a chance than he got... I don't want to say this is shades of Kahari Jones, but it's along the same vein. Kevin deserves a little more respect than he's getting. And although the Bombers were a tad bit more patient with Jones, Kahari deserved a lot more than he got. Winnipeg is so quick to tag a new hero and cast the guy who came before him aside, and that doesn't always work. Tonight's game is evidence.

Winnipeg is one of the most talented teams in the league and yet they're a mess. I don't understand how or why, but I don't think taking out your star QB is going to fix it.

I like Doug Berry, but he's made a lot of decisions I don't agree with and I know that many Winnipegers feel the same way, so the Bombers better pull up their socks. Berry seems to work by pulling players' confidence down to shake them up, thinking that will work, and by playing mind games (read: Troy Westwood) and I hate watching it.

It's sad to admit this, but Winnipeg is a town that will turn on it's team when they're not winning. This ain't Hamilton! We're used to winning and we'll stop buying tickets when it's a given that the Bombers are going to lose. If we do end up going to the games, it's not pretty. We'll boo our own team. I once threw a snowball at Cal Murphy. Seriously. We expect to win and will not take the talented team that we paid for (the Bombers are publicly owned) blowing games. And we put our foot down with a drop in ticket sales... which, really, is counterproductive... because having a poor team won't fix the problems.

Winnipeg is a true sports city. When the seasons collide, all three of our major sports teams will have sold out games on the same night. Canwest, MTS Center, and WPG Stadium. Name another city Winnipeg's size that can do that. So, it's not that we don't love our team... it's just that with all of that devotion comes despair (read: anger) when the players on the field don't live up to their end of the bargain.

Winnipeg is a tough town to play in when you're losing, but when you're winning, there's no better place to be.

Good luck blue and gold. You're going to need it.