Now’s Your Chance

Blog No. 248

Next Wednesday (in six days from now) is the second quarterly ChiSeries Windsor reading. You may have remembered my post about it a few weeks ago (or at least the title if you don’t actually read this blog). To refresh your memory, this may end up being the last ChiSeries Windsor reading, or maybe the last for a while, since their normal funding hasn’t come through. I say they because there is a dedicated group of people from ChiZine Publications who started and support the series (at the moment from their own pockets) but I suppose I’m part of that now. Even thought I said it last time, I think it’s really important to stress how big a deal this is and what a great thing it can be for Windsor.

The National Chiaroscuro Reading Series

Blog No. 245

I’ve mentioned the ChiSeries here a few times already. Back in February, Christian and I went up to Toronto to take part in a reading up there. It all happened to fast. We went in, met folks, had a drink, did some readings, and hung out for the rest of the night. At time time, before we headed back to the hotel, we had agreed to start hosting a ChiSeries in Windsor in the next few months. In the span of a few hours, we had been completely indoctrinated into the Chiaroscuro Series family, given a taste of the life of a genera writer with friends, and took up the charge to bring the experience home. The whole night shows what happens when like-minded people hang out.

ChiSeries Windsor

Blog No. 235

I’m sure I’ve mentioned it, but likely not as much as I should, but I am part of bringing a great national reading series to Windsor. When Christian and I went to Toronto earlier in the year for the Chiaroscuro Reading Series, we were lucky enough to get paid. More importantly, we met some fantastic people who share some of our ideas behind writing, publishing, reading, and the book culture in general. They asked us if we were interested in doing spreading the ChiSeries to the city and we jumped on it. My hands are already pretty full, but being part of a national series that pays authors and musicians is too good to pass up. Windsor has a lot of cool stuff going on (no matter what some people may think) and now I get to add to it in a meaningful way.

Multi-Topic (Because one wasn’t enough)

Blog No. 196

The last few weeks have been stuffed full of tasks needing my attention. More than writing or publishing, I’ve had work, family, and general domestic responsibilities come home to roost. I’m not sure if any one of them is worthy of being a blog post on its own, but perhaps together they can make up the approximation of one. As usual, I’m not necessarily sure where I’m going from here. It may just be a list of stuff I’ve been doing (not including all the slacking off I manage to fit in throughout the week. But that could be fun right?

Day of Kings

Blog No. 189

Over the last few years (around the same time I’ve been working with Adventure Worlds) I’ve had the rare opportunity to see some of my favourite bands live. Due to my extreme age, many of them have since left whatever spotlight they may have had (some of them even haven broken up). Three of the most notable experiences have been seeing Mystery Machine at the FM lounge (now any empty space), going to Hamilton to see the Killjoys play a reunion show on New Year’s Eve, and  now I get to add going to Toronto to see Limblifter. It’s no coincidence that all three bands are Canadian alternative Rock. It’s also no coincidence that I saw all three shows with my musician brother. (Not to mention how awesome all three concerts were).

Elections should have Carols

Blog No. 152

Here I am on blog 152, most of the way through another year and still plugging away. There are many people who have far higher numbers, and my readership is rather lacking, but it’s still a pretty good feeling. This week’s elections was a pretty good feeling too (though it’s much more of a mixed bag). While elections, especially on the federal level, can be exciting, this one had so much pressure behind it that people couldn’t seem to help themselves and got rather riled up about the whole thing. My social media feeds were filled with comments, pictures, thumbnails, links, and general angst. While it’s great that people are excited (and the voter turnout jumped a bit) personally it started to leave a sour taste in my mouth.

NaNoWri-No

Blog No. 104

November is a busy time for me – this year especially. I no longer have to worry about exams (thankfully) but the push I tend to make in September is in full swing, so wiring, editing, and designing tasks pile up. Then I have to worry about Christmas. Christmas is a big deal in my family. My mother takes is very seriously and it’s one of the few times a year that my entire family is all together. Plans are made early and help and attention is needed everywhere. I tend to start my shopping in November, but I try to push everything else back as close to the day as possible. In December I’m also playing Best Man to my best friend’s wedding, so between making plans for that (out of town) and a bachelor party (further out of town) I have to get a suit, write a speech and hone my ping pong skills.