You know how some people are all outdoorsy and love camping and can rustle up four course meals in the wilderness, meals that proudly represent every food group?
I am not one of those people.
In some ways I WISH I was. I mean. I don't covet the "I'm such a Princess, I must have a hotel room or at least a cabin with running water, five appliance, wireless connection and, oh, okay forget the cabin, I want someone else to cook and clean for me, let's drive straight to a hotel with at least four stars"- label.
I admire people who strap backpacks on their backs and hike into the mountains for a week and sleep under the stars, listening to the howls of wolves, eating wild berries and being at one with nature. But I would lie awake, thinking how much I hate the noise and the cold. And every buzz of an insect would keep me awake and remind me how uncomfortable my back was. And I'd wonder if anything exciting was happening in virtual writer land.
So. I never pretended to be a camper. I went along with the program when hubby bought a camper van. I gritted my teeth and slept in it so that Superson could experience camping. It's good for him, I thought. Family bonding.
But my hubby tends to get carried away. Don't get me wrong, he's a nice hubby, but sometimes we tend to have different conversations at the very same time.
After year #3 in the camper van.
Me: I am DONE with the camping in this thing.
Hub: Okay. I'll park it on the mountain lot I bought us, eight hours from home where I want to build a cabin. And you can help!
Me: Do you remember when we got married and I told you I hated yardwork? That I never wanted a house when I was single, because I didn't want the hassle of a yard? Did I mention that I don't like renovating things either?
Hub: (busy designing cabin blueprints and hiring framers and roofers)
Me: So. What are we doing for holidays this year?
Hub: We're going to go to the mountains to work on the cabin!! Let's stay at our site to save money! The campervan is there, or we can tent inside the framed cabin that still has no windows and is like sleeping in the great outdoors!
Me: I really hate tenting.
Him: Okay! Great Idea! Let's stay in the tent!
Me: Tents make me really claustrophobic. I can't sleep in them.
Hub: Okay! Let's sleep int the tent for a whole week! With no showers! And a porta potty! It's going to be great.
So the first night, I lay awake until about 4am. Sleep for maybe two hours and wake up to pouring rain!! Cold rain! Soaking through everything rain!
Yay! Let's work in the rain!!
The rain eventually stops. I have the special job of burning fire wood and cleaning up the construction area, which, call me a bad person, makes me really mad because I feel like I'm cleaning up after the hub AGAIN. Or mabye, still. His idea of working is to throw his garbage and wood scraps on the floor. Which I then clean.
Hub is a hard worker, don't get me wrong. He works very, very hard, but he does it in messy fashion. And my job is to clean up after him. Grr. I haven't slept much. I hate tents. It has been raining. I am dirty. I smell. I don't like camping. I don't like renovating. I am not a happy camper.
And so we persist. My temper tantrums come and go. Some nights the temperature drops so low that we actually SHAKE in our sleeping bags. Coyotes howl. Bears prowl. Mosquitoes buzz in my ear, when I am just about asleep.
But Superson catches snails. Let's them crawl all over his arms. Spots snakes. Picks up leeches. Helps build fires. Spots minnows in the lake. Tries to catch fish with a net. Runs after butterflies. He is happy so it is kind of worth it.
On the last night when I want to go home sooooo badly I am regressing to ten year old behavior, Superson gets a HORRIBLE dose of swimmers itch. Rashes all over his body. Itchy, uncomfortable. I am forced to be an adult.
Later I fetch my laptop from the car so we can try to watch a movie, the laptop I brought along hoping to find wireless somewhere in the wilds, but haven't been able to find. The laptop I haven't turned on for a whole week. And when it's on, I see magic! Internet connection.
I am on the side of the mountain and I am picking up someone else's wireless and suddenly it all doesn't seem so bad. I am still smelly. Grouchy and haven't slept properly in over a week. But I surf the Internet for an hour until my battery runs out, and suddenly I am human again.
Monday, July 13, 2009
Friday, July 3, 2009
Friday Five
1. Finished putting together an educators guide for Waiting To Score and pressed send to editor. Harder than I thought, but kind of fun going into deep thought mode about my characters again, and themes in the book.
2. Superson has his second swim meet on Saturday. Such fun, and with ribbons!
3. How can it seriously be July already? Did someone press fast forward on my life?
4. I gave my dog a haircut. She has a LOT of hair... and I am by no means a groomer. I won't even cut my son's hair for fear of tramatizing him for life. I hope dog's are not scarred by bad hair days. Or weeks.
5. Heading to the mountains for over a week of cabin building and wilderness living with no electricity or gulp- facilities. If you no what I mean. Man. I am not a big fan of roughing it, but off I go...think kind thoughts.....
Bonus thoughts- Read BETWEEN US BAXTERS by Bethany Hegedus recently and oh my God! What a great book. Middle grade but one I know adults would like. Historical race issues but honestly it's the characters and the voice that reaches into your heart and won't let go. Such a great read. Also read Sara Zarr's Sweethearts. Yummy. Such a Sara Zarr fan.
Reading Silver Phonenix by Cindy Pon. Woah!!! What a ride. This is such a unique and fascinating tale. I am loving it. Can't wait to read more Debs books. I ordered SLIDING ON THE EDGE by C.Lee McKenzie and have heard great things about it.
I'm heading to the library today to pick up some more books for my trip to the mountains. Did I mention that we have no electricity or toilets. Or shower facilities.
Gah.
2. Superson has his second swim meet on Saturday. Such fun, and with ribbons!
3. How can it seriously be July already? Did someone press fast forward on my life?
4. I gave my dog a haircut. She has a LOT of hair... and I am by no means a groomer. I won't even cut my son's hair for fear of tramatizing him for life. I hope dog's are not scarred by bad hair days. Or weeks.
5. Heading to the mountains for over a week of cabin building and wilderness living with no electricity or gulp- facilities. If you no what I mean. Man. I am not a big fan of roughing it, but off I go...think kind thoughts.....
Bonus thoughts- Read BETWEEN US BAXTERS by Bethany Hegedus recently and oh my God! What a great book. Middle grade but one I know adults would like. Historical race issues but honestly it's the characters and the voice that reaches into your heart and won't let go. Such a great read. Also read Sara Zarr's Sweethearts. Yummy. Such a Sara Zarr fan.
Reading Silver Phonenix by Cindy Pon. Woah!!! What a ride. This is such a unique and fascinating tale. I am loving it. Can't wait to read more Debs books. I ordered SLIDING ON THE EDGE by C.Lee McKenzie and have heard great things about it.
I'm heading to the library today to pick up some more books for my trip to the mountains. Did I mention that we have no electricity or toilets. Or shower facilities.
Gah.
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
Canada Day, Ribs and No Movie Extra Work
Today is Canada Day. Only in Canada, Eh.
Every year friends of JE have a Canada Day party and they BBQ the world's best ribs. The Best EVER. Freddie Flinstone size. So tender and so delicious and ohhhhh....I get ribs TONIGHT! Truthfully I have no idea what ribs have to do with Canada but then again I don't care. I just nod and eat. And lick my fingers.
The kids will run rampant in the basement, and outside, and the parents ignore the chaos. Unless there are tears or fights. Then slight intervention may be necessary. And we do feed them. And make sure they are safe. But it is a fun time for the little ones and the big ones too. So yay!
Also- an update to the movie extra work. The agency Superson and I checked out wanted us to PAY them so that WE could do extra work. They wanted $160 EACH A YEAR and then a commission of our measly salary on top of that IF we were hired to do extra work. I get the commission. They need to make their money to be the middle man, but to pay a fee just to sign up. Um. No.
So I declined. Not paying for the privilege of maybe getting a few scenes to shoot in the next year, but thanks anyhow. And the agent got all snotty and pissed off. I didn't like her attitude throughout anyhow, so it didn't bother me, but sheesh. Scam la rama or what?? So no extra work in my future.
Every year friends of JE have a Canada Day party and they BBQ the world's best ribs. The Best EVER. Freddie Flinstone size. So tender and so delicious and ohhhhh....I get ribs TONIGHT! Truthfully I have no idea what ribs have to do with Canada but then again I don't care. I just nod and eat. And lick my fingers.
The kids will run rampant in the basement, and outside, and the parents ignore the chaos. Unless there are tears or fights. Then slight intervention may be necessary. And we do feed them. And make sure they are safe. But it is a fun time for the little ones and the big ones too. So yay!
Also- an update to the movie extra work. The agency Superson and I checked out wanted us to PAY them so that WE could do extra work. They wanted $160 EACH A YEAR and then a commission of our measly salary on top of that IF we were hired to do extra work. I get the commission. They need to make their money to be the middle man, but to pay a fee just to sign up. Um. No.
So I declined. Not paying for the privilege of maybe getting a few scenes to shoot in the next year, but thanks anyhow. And the agent got all snotty and pissed off. I didn't like her attitude throughout anyhow, so it didn't bother me, but sheesh. Scam la rama or what?? So no extra work in my future.
Monday, June 29, 2009
Bad Blogger
I have been a bad blogger lately. Bad Janet. Bad. No cookies for you.
I have been revising my YA that was called Faded Genes, but is now called All That's Jaz. My brain just about exploded, but it seems to be recovering nicely. Seems being the key word of course. I shall update you later if you're concerned.
Went and saw Monsters Vs Aliens with Superson and two neighbourhood kids. That was fun. Especially after I fed them orange pop, cotton candy and McDonald's. Yes. I did do that. Do not ask me to babysit your children. I give in easily.
Yesterday Superson and I went hiking in Kananaskis Country. With Meeko the Menace. We went to Elbow Falls and Bragg Creek Provincial Park. I showed him how to fall on his ass all the way down a steep hill. By accident of course. A fine demonstration though.
This is Elbow Falls, not the hill I fell down.
This is Bragg Creek Provincial Park, but no pictures of the fall. My fall. Not water fall.
We are going to interview to be movie extra's tomorrow. Superson and I. Summer Holidays are here. I am deeply afraid. Two months with no school.
I have been revising my YA that was called Faded Genes, but is now called All That's Jaz. My brain just about exploded, but it seems to be recovering nicely. Seems being the key word of course. I shall update you later if you're concerned.
Went and saw Monsters Vs Aliens with Superson and two neighbourhood kids. That was fun. Especially after I fed them orange pop, cotton candy and McDonald's. Yes. I did do that. Do not ask me to babysit your children. I give in easily.
Yesterday Superson and I went hiking in Kananaskis Country. With Meeko the Menace. We went to Elbow Falls and Bragg Creek Provincial Park. I showed him how to fall on his ass all the way down a steep hill. By accident of course. A fine demonstration though.
This is Elbow Falls, not the hill I fell down.
This is Bragg Creek Provincial Park, but no pictures of the fall. My fall. Not water fall.
We are going to interview to be movie extra's tomorrow. Superson and I. Summer Holidays are here. I am deeply afraid. Two months with no school.
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Teasar Tuesday
My head is full of words. Revising words and new words, but just darn full.
Soooooo...on that note, here's the new opening to Faded Genes...do we like the title Faded Genes??
I spotted them immediately. Arms and legs pressed up against the wall. Two people in a drunken clutch. Two people who had absolutely no right to be locking lips, or any other bodily part for that matter. My heart raced as I stumbled towards them, down the steps.
When I reached the bottom, she opened her eyes. Noticed me. Witnessing it.
Her eyes connected with mine.
I wanted to scream at both of them, but nothing came out. My lips crazy glued shut. The only sound I could manage was an incoherent, panicky mumble. I turned and ran back up the stairs, pushing past a swarm of bodies until I was out of the house.
Soooooo...on that note, here's the new opening to Faded Genes...do we like the title Faded Genes??
I spotted them immediately. Arms and legs pressed up against the wall. Two people in a drunken clutch. Two people who had absolutely no right to be locking lips, or any other bodily part for that matter. My heart raced as I stumbled towards them, down the steps.
When I reached the bottom, she opened her eyes. Noticed me. Witnessing it.
Her eyes connected with mine.
I wanted to scream at both of them, but nothing came out. My lips crazy glued shut. The only sound I could manage was an incoherent, panicky mumble. I turned and ran back up the stairs, pushing past a swarm of bodies until I was out of the house.
Monday, June 22, 2009
Monday Meanderings
The other day I had a long conversation with a very good friend of mine who was forced to flee Bosnia all by herself during the Bosnian war. She was not quite twenty. Later, her sister had to take on an identity not hers and flee at seventeen. She and her family experienced things during that war that I have a hard time even imagining. And she told me the truth of what really went on and what we heard over in our North American bubble.
At the time that she was fleeing her home and her country with money sewed into the bands of her jeans, I was oblivious to the fighting. I remember hearing things about the Bosnian war, but it was far away, didn't involve me. I was in my twenties, wrapped up in my career and my own life.
She has taught me alot my friend. She learned English when she arrived in Calgary. And now she speaks it flawlessly. Her son is the best friend of my friend. And yet there is the whole part of her I will never completely understand. But she has taught me about strength and she and her family have taught me about dignity.
Her parents, successful popular people in Bosnia came to our country before the end of the war, speaking very little English. They left homes and families behind. And her father was treated very poorly at one job and is now a Wal-Mart greeter. People laugh at his accent, talk slowly and loudly to him as if he is stupid. Yet he remains a good man and holds his pride inside of him.
I hope I have learned more empathy towards people who speak English as a second language. I hope I show them the dignity they deserve. I hope my eyes have been opened to worlds beyond mine. Innocent people caught in a war they can't escape. And if they do escape, how do we treat them when they arrive on our soil? How much better do they deserve?
At the time that she was fleeing her home and her country with money sewed into the bands of her jeans, I was oblivious to the fighting. I remember hearing things about the Bosnian war, but it was far away, didn't involve me. I was in my twenties, wrapped up in my career and my own life.
She has taught me alot my friend. She learned English when she arrived in Calgary. And now she speaks it flawlessly. Her son is the best friend of my friend. And yet there is the whole part of her I will never completely understand. But she has taught me about strength and she and her family have taught me about dignity.
Her parents, successful popular people in Bosnia came to our country before the end of the war, speaking very little English. They left homes and families behind. And her father was treated very poorly at one job and is now a Wal-Mart greeter. People laugh at his accent, talk slowly and loudly to him as if he is stupid. Yet he remains a good man and holds his pride inside of him.
I hope I have learned more empathy towards people who speak English as a second language. I hope I show them the dignity they deserve. I hope my eyes have been opened to worlds beyond mine. Innocent people caught in a war they can't escape. And if they do escape, how do we treat them when they arrive on our soil? How much better do they deserve?
Thursday, June 18, 2009
Bid on a Critique from ME!!
http://www.cynthealiu.com/new-5-page-or-query-letter-critique-from-author-j-e-macleod/
DARE TO CARE! Click on the title for a chance to bid on a critique with proceeds going to a great cause! Buying books for a school!
Bid on a critique of a query letter for 5 pages of your current manuscript. NO! I'll do more than 5 pages of a manuscript. I'll do the first chapter if you say you saw it here!
DARE TO CARE! Click on the title for a chance to bid on a critique with proceeds going to a great cause! Buying books for a school!
Bid on a critique of a query letter for 5 pages of your current manuscript. NO! I'll do more than 5 pages of a manuscript. I'll do the first chapter if you say you saw it here!
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