The 2011 List!

I’m actually getting this list done before Jan 1!!! This is a list of all the things I want to attempt before December 31st, 2011. Some are from my 2010 list, that list had 100 to dos and I finished 49 of them. They didn’t get completed.... shhhhh. So... instead of a list of 100 am keeping it a bit more realistic at 50!

1. Learn to Salsa ~ have already taken some lessons
2. Tim Burton Exhibit at Lightbox
3. Finish all 3 manuscripts
4. Get a book picked up for publication
5. Go to Scotland
6. Re-learn Swing Dancing
7. Take Burlesque lessons
8. Sing Karaoke ~ am terrified to sing in front of people
9. Since I’m going to brave Karaoke.... learn to play an instrument
10. Day trip to Stratford
11. Shakespeare in the park
12. Be in a Zombie Movie
13. See the Nutcracker
14. Road trip to Niagara Falls and all the haunted attractions
15. Ride in a Hearse ~ while still alive
16. Tour the Bruce Caves with my Dad
17. Go camping
18. Visit the Science Centre
19. Go to NYC for a weekend
20. Stay in a haunted Bed and Breakfast
21. Have a 1950’s style dinner party - everyone has to come dressed up 1950’s, menu and Martini’s
22. Re-read A Tree Grows in Brooklyn
23. Glow in the dark bowling
24. Do at least one thing I have never tried ~ skiing downhill, snowboarding, archery, stand on the glass floor of the CN tower.
25. Have a minimum of 3 articles published in major publications
26. Have a short story published in an anthology
27. Do a 30 day yoga challenge
28. Watch the sunrise, from a beach
29. Learn how to do a somersault.
30. Visit a province I’ve never been in
31. Go to a Carnival
32. Work at a haunt if even for one night, this halloween
33. Take her parents to the CN tower
34. Visit Casa Loma
35. See my cousin Lisa!
36. Fit back into my Skinny Jeans!
37. Carve my name in a tree
38. Spend and afternoon at Necropolis
39. Walk in the secret cemetery
40. Day on the island, including picnic and nude beach
41. Go to Trash Palace
42. Spend a week in Wiarton - this is tougher than it seems....
43. Have my tea leaves read
44. Ride the bike trails
45. Finish off my writing to do list
46. Write a poem and read it out loud in front of people
47. Hand-write one letter a month
48. Complete both the Script Frenzy in April and National Novel Writing Month in November
49. Spend Dec 25th having a second annual do nothing but watch Xmas themed horror movies day
50. Write this list for 2012 before Jan 1st

The Other White Meat

I'm doing research for a book proposal and came across this blog. The link below is to 'The Other White Meat' and is part of a series of Weight Watchers recipe cards from the 1970's. I recommend that you look through the entire series. I was in tears. TEARS from just the commentary alone.

Enjoy!

http://www.candyboots.com/wwcards/caucasianshash.html

Nanowrimo

So... I keep saying I'm going to participate in Nanowrimo and finally, I have run out of excuses. So here I am 12 days in and actually, just now starting to write my novel. I hymned and hawed and this morning said 'what the fuck, DO IT!' So here I am, doing it.

I did the math, in order to get to 50,000 words written by midnight on November 30th... I have to write 3000 words a day... by the end of today I will have my first 3000 words... 47,000 more to go... Can I make it? We will find out on November 30th. Either way, it's the motivation I need to get this story out of my head!

This Girl Friday!

I've started a Girl Friday business. Business cards are being printed and flyers are being mailed out today. I've been thinking about doing this for a while and realized it was time!

If you know anyone looking for this type of service email me at carolina@carolinasmart.ca!

The Loss of a Great Man

Mr. Rix had a reputation. Long before anyone ever stepped foot into one of his English classes, you knew all about it in very specific, very colourful detail. Once you entered his classroom, you waited, eager, on tenterhooks for the moment, but too nervous to ask when it might happen. Then somewhere around mid-term, there it was.






Gasps
Dramatic pauses
Chest clenching
Flailing arms
Screeching
And then one... final... spin!

CAESAR
Et tu, Brute! Then fall, Caesar.

With a dramatic fall to the linoleum, the infamous performance of the Julius Caesar death scene had been completed. To this day I am sadly disappointed with the stage version of that death scene. Bob can never be topped.

In high school, no one likes or wants to understand Shakespeare, we are content with Lord of the Flies, The Chrysalids and Animal Farm. Mr. Rix, through his dramatics and humour had the students of Wiarton District High School smitten with Sir William and his tales.

But somehow, it was more than that. He actually gave a damn about his students. Bob Rix loved being a teacher, he was passionate about the English language and made his students passionate as well. If it wasn’t for him our school wouldn’t have had a theatre program and I wouldn’t have had the experience of playing Abby Brewster.

Even after he retired he would stop his former students on the street to chat, genuinely wanting to know how they were, always ready to dole out advice. Bob taught hundreds of students, but always remembered everyone’s names and had very specific and special memories for every one of us.

Every graduation speech had a special thank you to him. Every student talked about him, even 20 years after graduation. I can guarantee that each one of those students can give you at least three funny stories and many reasons why they will miss him. My love of theatre and literature and my dream to become a writer are all thanks to Bob. He stuck in our minds and our hearts. He made a difference in every student who was lucky enough to know him and will be greatly missed.

A safe journey into the night my friend. There will never be another like you.

http://yourlifemoments.ca/sitepages/obituary.asp?oId=424588

Theatre Reviews

I can't believe I haven't posted since the beginning of July. It's been a crazy busy summer!!!

I will start posting more soon, but in the meantime, here are my latest theatre reviews @ torontostage.com.

What the Butler Saw http://www.torontostage.com/reviews/whatTheButlerSaw.html

Doc http://www.torontostage.com/reviews/doc.html

Datesaster

My latest article at www.single-woman.tv

http://single-woman.tv/2010/07/datesaster/