And the Exciting Moffatt News Is....

Remember how I alluded to massive Moffatt family excitement last month? And remember how I had to keep mum about it until I was given the green light to share the info?

Well, the ban on speech has been lifted, and I am free to share it with one and all:

In either May or June of 2011, Miz Moffatt will level-up and become...... wait for it.....

.....

AN AUNT!!

IT IS TRUE! BELIEVE THE RUMOURS!

The Sister is, oh, about three and a half months into her pregnancy now which means we are all wicked excited to have a new member of the family here soon. I knew I was going to be thrilled over The Sister becoming a mother and with me becoming an aunt (!!!), but I didn't quite realize the extent. I've gotten the chance to brag to a few people about it, and I always get indignant when they are not nearly as excited as I am. Whatev -- I'll show the world how I can out-aunt all the greatest aunts who have gone before me.

So, confetti and champagne all around, people! We are celebrating early around these parts.

Big News in the Moffatt Clan

What a whirlwind of an evening -- a plain, ol' night in November turned into a tremendous celebration for the Moffatt clan.

Prepare thyself, world.

More details to follow once I chat this out with my companions. All I can say is, 2011 should prove to be an amazing year.

Transmission from Toronto's Pride Weekend

PRIDE WEEKEND -- I am still recovering from this past weekend. It was a blur of rainbows, sweat, bass-laden music, and delicious Canadian queers and allies en masse. Church Street overflowed with couples, singles, and families of all varieties braving the fierce heat to bask in another glorious year of being out and damn proud.

2010 Pride is a memorable one for me, I admit. It marks the first time I have attended as an out woman which alters the entire landscape of the event. Even though I still have work ahead of me when it comes to integrating myself into the community, I know I can do it with the support of immediate family members and close friends at hand. Ah, revelations mingled with searing summer heat -- quite the way to usher in the season, I believe.

And, in usual Moffatt fashion, I turn to lists for the rundown:

Saturday, July 3/10

• Daytime hours: Not enough queer. In Toronto, Saturday Pride = Dyke March and all associated woman-centric events. Alas, I was without a companion to traverse the gorgeous grounds of the women-exclusive parties. Never fear, though -- much eye candy was to be had that night.
• Ship Sharp, The Advocate, and I dashed out to Toronto to see if we could catch the FREE Cyndi Lauper concert at Queen's Park. WHOA. What a line. The vendors were even fenced off to prevent a rush on the stage. The line circled all of Queen's Park. And no, that is not an exaggeration.
• Mad flurry of friend sightings from high school and beyond. Even encountered the one other queer girl from my year in secondary school -- it was fun to share one of those knowing glances with someone from the past.
• Headed over to Church Street with a mission in mind -- Ship Sharp was on-the-clock for work and scouting out some buff gentlemen for a popular CBC show. She and The Advocate scanned the crowd for biceps, I was distracted with the dense ratio of queer girls to all other groups in some areas. *Commence immature giggling at the wonder therein*
• Walked the length of Church Street, occasionally stopping for impromptu dance parties spilling out into the streets. Spotted a Japanese restaurant/bar I will need to hit up in the future.
• Marveled at the openness and excitement in all Pride revelers and the ease with which strangers can become fast friends. Ah, Pride -- it has such potential to bring out the best in us, even while it tends to encourage the unpredictable TNT (Totally Naked Toronto) men.

Sunday, July 4th/10

• MIZ MOFFATT ATTENDS HER FIRST MAIN PRIDE PARADE! ... She also wilted in the 35C weather. I even caved to wearing shorts. I have not worn shorts for about a decade prior to this past Sunday. It was serious.
• Gigantic step forward: Attended Pride with The Sister. And she was the one to suggest it. I even got to openly discuss Pride plans with the entire Moffatt clan. It was so surreal at times. Given the fact I came out to Lil' Brother and the parents last July/August, I found myself buzzing with such confidence and self-assurance.
• Also attended Pride with The Advocate! Again, I reeled with such excitement throughout this weekend. She is a proven Pride veteran and it was stunning to have her at my side for what would prove to be a landmark Pride weekend for me on numerous levels.
• ENTER: THE PARADE. Ah, the roar of the Dykes on Bikes is such a momentous start to a parade of this nature. Ha, and having the police encouraging the crowds to douse all officers on site with water to stave off the heat was a fun addition to the day. Such an about face from the destructive forces of last weekend's G8/G20 Summit -- the officers on duty carried rainbow flags, donned bright beaded necklaces, and were all a-glow with the energy of Pride. Serious, it is mind-blowing to witness.
• Found myself getting misty-eyed when PFLAG marched past. I imagine most queer kids experience that press of pride to see those parents walk past in full support of their children.
• Highlight: An EMS driver blaring the Spice Girls' "Stop" from his truck and tackling the pre-set dance moves as he drove. Brilliant.
• I quite appreciated the drag queen who dressed in royal regalia to honour Queen Elizabeth II's visit to Toronto (it coincided with the main Pride Parade). We joked about her being a "Queen among queens" for the weekend.
• No parade is complete without bagpipers. But queer bagpipers? Even more perfect.
• I also love the fact that two leaders of Canada's federal political parties manage to make appearances at Pride Toronto regularly. Jack Layton of the NDP donned a bright pink shirt and compiled an energetic, bright orange sea of dancers to celebrate. And, Elizabeth May of the Green Party rode her way through the parade on a rickshaw with a drag queen. God, I love Canada.
• The Sister, The Advocate, and I got to be all heroic-like for a girl who almost passed out in front of us. Like I said, the heat was raging that afternoon. The kids in front of us needed more water in them, methinks. Of course, The Sister came prepared with hand towels and tons of water while The Advocate knew where to douse the poor girl in order to cut the heat. We had a whole pocket of civilian medics leap in to help her out.
• After that point, the heat took hold and forced our group out of the parade lines. Serious, we were all flushed and exhausted after about an hour and a half of direct sun exposure. We relocated to a bit of shade on a side street, but the heat was unrelenting. We called it an early day to avoid passing out like that girl did in front of us.

***

EPIC. It's a shame we were forced from the street due to the intense sunlight. The UV index was a perfect 10 and sipping on hot water from plastic bottles was making the three of us a touch sickly. I also discovered The Sister must have been a camel in a past life -- she downed two and a half Gatorades and about three bottles of water in the couple of hours we were at the Parade. I had one bottle of water, The Advocate had two.

Intense.

All in all, I was pleased with the course the weekend took. Had the heat been cut in half, you best believe I would have been at those barricades until the Parade closed. I realize I still have quite a bit of work to go when it comes to developing connections within the community, but, sometimes, you just need to relax and let the clubbing beats take you in.

Tomes to Travel Through with Miz Moffatt

Lo, the crush of recent experience leads to an epic collection of stories from the city and stories from the suburbs to divulge. I chose the image of archaic tomes for a reason -- the narrative for the past week can only be measured against the thick, dense ramblings of weighted texts.

In a nutshell: OH dear goodness, I have crammed a whole lot of life into a meagre span of time.

Hence, point form updates will be called upon to breeze through these stories for posterity's sake:

Thursday, June 17/10

• Booked it into Toronto post-work to catch Ship Sharp's latest directorial project. She took the helm of the Fly By Night (FBN) Theatre Company's performance of Dog Sees God at Lorraine Kimsa Theatre for Young People (165 Front Street). The verdict: AMAZING (as per usual). Perfect casting, compelling performances from all cast members, and clever choices made by Ship Sharp herself. The Advocate and I shared a giggle over the mannerisms this cast adopted from Ship Sharp -- also amused over the random "Bad Romance" outbreak that shared eerie similarities to our own group's tendencies....
• Fell in love with city life all over again, even in the presence of the infamous G8/G20 fence marring the front steps of Union Station. Dazzled with street lights, pulsing with the lives around me -- I belong there. I decree it now.

Friday, June 18/10

• First off: HAPPY BIRTHDAY, O'NEILL! Cheers to another brilliant year for a brooding gentleman.
• Accompanied The Advocate to the graduation party of her close friend/fellow Pilgrim. Headed out to Moxie's for a night of carousing and catching-up. Broke out into songs from the Simpsons more than once, discussed manga and/or violent anime more than once, too. Devoured a massive, knee-weakening, and delicious plate of nachos with The Advocate. Alas, no beer and breakfast, though cheese-smothered chips are a close favourite as well. Called it an early evening to prepare for a Toronto-based adventure to RULE THEM ALL.

Saturday, June 19/10

• Started with two plans in mind: Visit the Toronto Small Press Book Fair at The Great Hall (1087 Queen St. West) and find a black dress for The Advocate in time for next week's alumni chamber choir performance. All other activities and adventures were ours to choose.
• First off: The Advocate and I + Gorgeous, old building + Ample selections of zines, chapbooks, and other indie lit = COMBO FOR EXCESSIVE, EXCITABLE COMBUSTION. We talked with each vendor, poured over their work, and made the difficult decision to limit our purchases (as best as possible, of course). Imagine it: local writers and small presses selling their work for an average of $10 or less. Hot discoveries include: a how-to guide for zine-making, a first collection of poetry by an author who has all but fallen off the face of the Earth (according to her press), and an alternative version of Toronto where a housing market crash creates a city ruled by warring factions of artists. INTENSE.
• With the sun splitting the clouds and a warm afternoon in front of us, The Advocate and I decided to walk the entire stretch of Queen St. West to Younge St. Yes. We were that giddy on Saturday. And oh, what adventures we found.
• Surprised a high school friend at his current job. "Excuse me, would you happen to have Labyrinth in?" Ah, it was such a perfect and genuine reaction of surprise. I love that our high school created such long-lasting bonds between us all. Also: Need to get our grade 11 flick, Sickle Hand, up on YouTube. Serious. I would link to it from here.
• Stumbled across Nadege Patisserie (780 Queen St. W.) for lunch. Our noses led us to a gorgeous selection of gourmet treats, colourful macaroons, and lavish sandwiches to pine after. I opted for a grilled veggie sandwich with brie and pesto while The Advocate selected a delicate, posh ham sandwich. Nadege has a cool, Parisian atmosphere with an attentive and relaxed staff. With their treats lit under glass cases, it felt like gazing in on jewelry. We ate al fresco at Trinity-Bellwoods Park and pondered over the contestants of an Amazing Race-style activity (partners were helping one another cross a tight-rope...?)

• It was a crush of images all after that: Sanko Japanese Market (730 Queen St. West) with the delicious, Kirin iced tea I first had while visiting a friend in Japan; discovering the Red Tea Box (696 Queen St. West) with a Mad Hatter's selection of treats (all poised for a future trek into the city); a random storefront with half-naked women dancing in the windows (though I believe I know what the "store" was about); accidentally stumbled through a crowd in front of Much Music, all awaiting the presence of *Shudder* Justin Bieber *Shudder, shudder*; Laughed over the oddities found in stores catering to the antiques crowd (so many mannequins, so many gaudy and matching lamps); Popped into the Silver Snail (367 Queen St. W.) to take a quick spin through the manga section.
• We trekked through stand-alone stores and through the Eaton's Centre to find a black dress to fit the strict guidelines of The Advocate's chamber choir ensemble. Esprit holds the key, it appears. Also caught sight of the Silver Elvis doing his thing in front of the mall's entrance.

• Once at Younge Street, we parted ways for the evening. I made it to Union station with moments to spare before the GO Train doors slid closed on another Toronto trek. Ah, that city. I need to roam its streets more often. I know I've missed out on detailing all these moments from Saturday, but, seriously, we took in a LOT of the scene. We covered a 4 KM stretch of the downtown core and managed to find material for, oh.... at least four future trips to Toronto. Case and point: we need to move downtown. Ah, I felt so sparkly and amazing all night. This is definitely something we will need to do again.

Sunday, June 20/10

• More celebrations to be had: Lil' brother turned 21 (staggering -- I feel so ancient by proxy, now) and also high-fived Dad for Father's Day. Spent the morning running a few small trips to get food-based gifts for the menfolk and reveling in the gorgeous weather.
• Went to the local, suburban mall to find a new tea store opened just on Saturday. As a self-professed tea loon, I was thrilled with the new proximity to premium loose leaf. But, the kicker? Apparently you must be an incredibly attractive woman to work there. I am so returning to this store as soon as possible. Readers: If I know you personally, I am stating now that I will drag you to this location once you are in my grasp. Serious, mark the calendar.
• Spent the afternoon in full relaxation mode, revolving the idea of a zine or a more professional, self-published work through my mind. I think the world needs more confessional sci fi, don't you?

Monday, June 21/10

• Work = Tedious, maddening, exhausting. Dreamt of writing and publishing for the entire shift, imagined what a future surrounded by the arts and with other writers would look like. Yes, I had a head full of dreams with me.
• Instant uplift: O'Neill called. Launched into another of our epic, catch-up phone conversations. I find it amusing how blunt we can be, especially when it comes to queer topics. Or, perhaps "candid" is the more posh-sounding term. In either case, I think we were both able to give voice to the stresses of our current situations and we even got some gossip in about idealized crushes and all the fun stuff. Fingers crossed that the kid can come visit this weekend -- there needs to be a personal summit with O'Neill, The Advocate, Ship Sharp and I. It'll be edgier and cooler than the hype surrounding the G8/G20 combined, just you wait.

Tuesday, June 22/10

• Met up with Ladies in Writing for another rousing night of self-penned stories, book reviews, political discussion, and goal-setting. I know, all that in two hours. Since our regular note-taker was absent, the group voted I take the minutes and send out the e-mail to the rest of the ladies who could not attend. Louise told me my writing is "outrageous," in the best possible way. More that I come out with twisted, amusing plots as opposed to offensive, disturbing content. Ha, I was over the moon with that one considering Louise is a brilliant writer herself.
• MUST. WRITE. MORE.

***

So, as I said, it's been a week where I out-hustled the bustle. I've hit the right stride in seven days and I want to hold on to it. With summer bursting down the doors, it is about time I get out there and explore with those nearest and dearest to me.

I can sense the adventure out there -- let's see how much I can capture in the next few weeks, shall we?

Miz Moffatt: Volunteerism-Junkie

OH. MY. WORD.

How to summarize a weekend spent in the vast world of volunteerism and Toronto-based excitement?

It was overwhelming, stunning, exhausting, and oh-so-rewarding on numerous levels. I felt alive crossing the streets of Toronto and barreling across railroad tracks and through subway lines to find new adventures throughout our fair city. The weather was blissful, the crowds were pulsing and polite, and I discovered I am not the wallflower I paint myself to be.

So, let's start where we left off with the May 22nd recap, shall we?

Sunday, May 23rd/2010

It is now official -- I am a fully-credited, bona fide volunteer for The Harbourfront Centre, Toronto's artistic and cultural hub located on the steps of Lake Ontario. The main event for the May long weekend was the HarbourKids circus-themed celebration. Indeed, clowns and performers of all sorts were on hand in addition to a host of colourful, varied activities to engage the wee ones and activate their imaginations.

Granted, I was wary of what I had signed up for. Me + children = Recipe for disaster. I am controlled, anal-retentive, and quiet. Children tend to lack these qualities. Chalk the experience up as Lesson the First: the kids were fantastic. On Sunday, I helped out with an indoor animation flipbook station. A professional animator taught groups of 24 kids how to draw a simple, two-page animation of a frog in a clown hat jumping on his lily pad. I was in charge of signing kids up for the half hour lessons and I got to try my hand at animating, too. Serious, I was shocked over how focused the groups were and just how proud all of them were with the end results.

What is this? Am I reconciling my differences with children?

Weird.

The one flaw with the station: we were the only ones who required sign-up times. Parents would register their kids and either A) Bail out on the slot without alerting us, or B) Arrive ten minutes after the next session started. It was a touch frustrating to juggle, but it's easier to keep a light attitude when you are a volunteer, I find. And folks are less inclined to get cruel with people choosing to volunteer their free hours to a free weekend event. So, thumbs up to all involved.

***

In the evening, we had the extended Moffatt clan over to celebrate the 25th Anniversary of an Aunt and Uncle and to also celebrate the May birthdays (me, the Cuz, and another Uncle). I arrived home from the volunteer shift exactly five minutes before our guests arrived. Oh, GO Train and your ill-timed maintenance. I was two hours later than the scheduled arrival time. *Sigh*

Anyhow, regardless of the mad dash, us Moffatts still had exclusive, great times. The Cuz and I exchanged first impressions of The Eleventh Doctor on Doctor Who and we talked about other sci fi wonders and general Hollywood buzz. It was still warm out and the sky was taking on that rosy, early evening haze and I nursed a Sleeman's Honey Brown as we all caught up.

Dinner consisted of tapas appetizers and a three-mushroom/arugula/balsamic reduction pizza pour moi and some type of stuffed chicken for all the omnivores in the house. So. Delicious. I wish I could eat like this on a regular basis. Of course, we followed it all with three types of cake, ice cream, and a giant fruit platter, you know, as you do.

Dad bought a pack of sparklers and a small group of us took to the backyard for some fun. Lil' brother and I were pretending to LARP while "attacking" one another with lightning bolts from our wands. My Aunt tried to trace her name into the night sky and Ruby (the Sister's basset hound) ran between us all, barking at the embers filling the air. As kids, Victoria Day always = SPARKLERS. It was lovely to revisit it all and discover I still had that inhibition in me.

Monday, May 24th/2010

Monday was quite the intense crush of action. I spent the morning planting beans with children and spent the evening watching a Spanish musical about a pre-op trans woman. Eventful start to the week, no doubt.

So yes, I returned to The Harbourfront Centre and dug in to the Cirque Dirt Fairy Garden station. Since it was fairy-themed, I donned a pair of pillowy wings covered in pink sequins. It clashed appropriately with the bright yellow gardening gloves I also procured. Pinnacle of fashion right here, people.

I will be the first to admit I do not know the first thing about gardening. I know you need to water plants and I know plants need sunlight to grow. Yep. That would be the extent. But our facilitator, Garden Jane, knew a smart trick or two about all the potted flowers, the decorative additions, and the actual planting process of the beans we were handing out to all the young'uns. It was a steady stream of visitors and, again, the enthusiasm of the kids was amazing. I helped out with planting the Ireland Creek beans and watering them before the kids took them home to care for. It was a quick four hours -- and I got to take in the gorgeous morning air with our outdoor station this time around.

***

I spent a couple of hours wandering the Church/Yonge area before the next shift with the Inside Out Film Festival. Activities included:

• Late lunch/early dinner at one of the Pizzaiolo locations in Toronto. Oh, dear readers -- I dream of this pizza. It's gourmet and affordable and fresh, all wrapped into a slice of sheer perfection. I recommend the Spinotta slice to all the vegetarians out there. It's layered with crisp spinach, marinated tomatoes, and goat cheese. *Drools at the recollection*
• Quick stop at The Glad Day Bookstore on Yonge St. I went there with O'Neill back in 2008 and the store is just as I recalled it. It's a small, independent bookstore specializing in queer lit and other LGBT publications. Readers can find anthologies, queer-authored novels, political texts, historical collections, magazines, independent zines, and so much more.

I reported for duties at Buddies in Bad Times once again and donned the Inside Out Film Festival t-shirt once more to appease the queer masses descending on our lil' theatre. I covered the screening of The Watermelon Women (1996) and 20 centímetros (2005) and reveled in more queer film gems throughout the night.

***

I will have to save details for tomorrow evening as I am still recovering from the hustle and bustle of the weekend activities (aka. I am right tired and about to collapse). All in all, it was a splendid, hectic weekend and I look forward to more times like these to follow.

MAY 2-4 IN 2010

I am either full of vigour and action or brimming over with crazy.

It is the May 2-4 Weekend and the personal schedule is stacked.

I have four volunteer shifts with two festivals in addition to one Moffatt-wide celebration featuring one 25th wedding anniversary and three May birthdays.

And this will all take place over three tight days.

I am thrilled at the prospect even while I know how wiped out I am certain to be. Oh, and I've got to get some writing homework finished for Ladies in Writing. I need to get started on that one, I was shameful and neglected the challenge from last month. Tsk, Moffatt girl. Ah, but I am set to change it this time around.

Amidst all of this action, I will make sure to bring you along with the updates and insights as I am wont to do on weekends.

For all the Canadians out there, I bid you clear skies, open patios, and cold beers for this extended weekend. And for international readers, I grant you Canadian citizenship for the next three days so you can come and celebrate with us in the Great White North.

Get 'er done.

Mother's Day and the Weekend-At-Large

Intense. I managed to schedule a stacked weekend filled with comics, theatre, and a whole lotta queer. Based on the experience, I would advise readers do the same. May is filling out with adventure and transforming itself into quite the social trip for this lil' Moffatt here.

I best get started with the rundown.

Saturday, May 8, 2010

TCAF. Mother-effin'-TCAF, people. If fortune finds you in Toronto at the start of May, you best be at The Toronto Comic Arts Festival. For one solid weekend, the Toronto Reference Library becomes the central hub of the graphic arts scene. Whether you nerd out over classic comics, pursue the latest indie manga, or bookmark webcomics on a regular basis, you will find new artists and established creators to dedicate those dollars to.

2010 marked this blogette's first visit to the festival and I was floored with the talent and the vibrant stories housed in that building. I walked in with two niche markets in mind (queer manga and machinist science fiction) and found compelling titles to suit both tastes. From handmade zines and self-published collections to anthologies and large-scale publisher titles, readers are privy to a wide range of content and original artwork. Oh, the crush of creative energies all brought together...

***

Miz Moffatt's Haul:

Kate Beaton's Never Learn Anything From History

I am a massive fan girl for the wonder that is Kate Beaton and her addictive webcomic, Hark! A Vagrant. She takes great delight in rendering Canadian historical figures and international literary figures into tasty morsels of pure hilarity. Oh, and did I mention I got to meet her as well? She signed my book with a picture of the pompous, overwhelming glory of General Brock. Oooh, the War of 1812 -- no one loves it more than Pierre Berton, my Dad, and my grade seven teacher. Kate Beaton will be getting her own post on this blog soon. Trust me. It is long overdue.

Megan Rose Gedris' Yu+Me: dream Vol. 1

Self-described as a "surreal lesbian webcomic," Yu+Me: dream offers a fresh, colourful angle on the girl-meets-girl genre. While the first part of the series adheres to the conventions of manga, the second part finds Gedris experimenting with multi-media layouts ranging from photoshopped images to classic drawn elements. Her artwork gets sharper with each new edition, all of which is available at her personal site for the series. Other fans might recognize Gedris from her other popular, pulp title, I Was Kidnapped By Lesbian Pirates From Outer Space!!! Serious, you need to check that out.

Autobrig's Honeydew Syndrome

The Automata Brigade (or "Autobrig" for short) encompasses the efforts of a group of Vancouver-based artists and appreciators to create the gorgeous Honeydew Syndrome. The project was headed by creators Nuu and Schumie, but I appreciate their nods to close friends and colleagues helping them develop their craft. Readers will find pure shounen-ai/yaoi with this title as a not-so-emo kid (Metis) finds a romantic spark with a not-so-jock jock (Josh) in between high school lectures and a few suckerpunches in the halls. Captivating, queer, and Canadian to boot! Sheer perfection in manga form.

Cloudscape Comics' Exploded View Vol. 4

I found Exploded View at the same table as Honeydew Syndrome, so, it's safe to argue I will be tracking Cloudscape Comics from now on. The group's fourth collective project includes the unique visions of 25 artists exploring the world of science fiction. Camilla d'Errico's exquisite cover caught my eye first and the content and calibre of the work inside held me. It seems I have more reasons to relocate to Vancouver as soon as I can....

***

I stumbled out into the streets in the afternoon, overwhelmed with art and on a mission to reach the next destination. I headed over to the infamous 519 Church Street Community Centre to catch the latest details on volunteering for Canada's largest queer film festival, Inside Out.

Now, the gigantic Pride flag is not a regular fixture at The 519, but queers across the city can find a safe, accepting space here in addition to a whole host of community-based programs and resources. In usual Moffatt form, I was there at least twenty minutes before the meeting commenced. I sat and poured over comics until the time came. I was pleased to find the permanent staff of the Inside Out Festival so dominated with women, butch and femme alike. I managed to snag three shifts and am excited to mingle with the other volunteers. All I can say is the May long weekend will be as hectic as it is thrilling. More to follow in the near future.

***

After the Toronto trek, I was off to catch Ship Sharp in her one millionth theatre role of 2010 with The Advocate and The Bruce. (Well, alright -- it might not be one million, but she is one busy woman, let me tell you). The absolute highlight of A Year in the Death of Eddie Jester: Ship Sharp wheeled across the stage, pregnant and screaming. Hilarious and aptly-timed, indeed.

***

Sunday, May 9, 2010

As for this Mother's Day, it's been a rather low-key affair. We had plans to visit my Nanny and Grampy, however their neck of the woods suffered from severe snowfall overnight. I know, it was sudden and un-May-like. Our cars were de-winterized weeks ago and are not fit for snow-choked back roads. Nope. A phone call would have to suffice. I surprised Mom with her favourite treat, chocolate-covered cherries (or, as I like to call 'em, "creepy cherries").

After that, I spent the day talking finances with the Sister and chatting with the 'rents over tea. It was all proper and civilized fare, perfect for Sundays.

So there -- the weekend-at-large. It's refreshing to find the hustle and bustle of life once again, even if the GTA was plagued with cold weather and rain (and hail at one point!) Here's a tip of the hat to all the lovely mothers out there and I hope all you kids had a blissful, lovely weekend.

I Snub Thee, Weekend Forecast

So, the forecast for the weekend appears abysmal -- rain, thunderstorms, temperatures below 14C. It seems the clouds are conspiring against us what with the gorgeous, bright weather occurring while most of us are locked away at the office.

But, I am poised to brave the elements and threaten a perfect head of hair for an intense weekend full of excitement.

Check it:

• Saturday morning: TCAF. One weekend, one public library, hundreds of comics and their artists. I am aiming to uncover A) Canadian sci fi titles or B) Canadian queer comics. If I can find one blending the best of both worlds, I AM THERE. Fingers crossed, ladies.
• Saturday afternoon: Volunteer meeting for The Inside Out Film Festival. Canada's leading all-queer film festival celebrates its 20th Anniversary this year, and guess who just might be a ticket taker/greeter? I hope I can limit the amount of ecstatic giggling that will surely emanate from me as a help out....
• Saturday evening: Hit up the theatre to watch Ship Sharp dominate the stage. The Advocate, The Bruce, and I will be dazzled and enthralled, no doubt. (It was never in question)
• Sunday: Heading two and a half hours North with Mom and the Sister to celebrate Mother's Day with my Nanny and Grampy. Despite the gloomy weather awaiting us, it'll be great to chat with the grandparents and take in the fresh, smogless air around their cottage.

Quite the full schedule. The hustle and bustle is alluring and a welcome change from my general homebody tendencies. I expect to have a few great stories to share with readers this weekend. Perhaps I might need to sneak a camera around with me to document the adventure. Hmm...

Well, cheers to the start of another blissful, albeit rain-drenched, two-day holiday. Get your kicks, kids.

Apologies and a Tuesday Recap

Apologies for missing yet another Tunes for Tuesdays post -- methinks this is the Universe's decision. It's telling me to change the night for new music. Paf, I say. Paf. I dismiss the notion.

Despite the absence of a post last night, I was involved with some music-related fun in Toronto. One of lil' brother's school bands played at The Trane, so my sister and I headed in to check it out. It was the first time I'd stepped into a self-proclaimed jazz lounge and I was quite impressed. The Sister and I were sitting near the stage and didn't notice the crush of people building behind us until the band finished their set.

WOW. It gets packed, even on a Tuesday.

Lil' brother's band is (unofficially) known as The Suspects and their niche is African-styled music. It's quite the sight with that number of people on stage: one bassist (lil' brother), one pianist, three brass instruments, two guitarists, three singers, and... about four percussionists? I know. I think half his music program is in The Suspects (hence their "suspicious" aura). Serious it was energetic and fun and very different from what the lil' brother writes himself.

Hmm, I find myself gravitating toward the city more and more these days. I love the potential of it, all the youth and vitality. I know, I sound like the suburbanite girl I am. Still, I know it's the city life for me, whether in Toronto or another spot.

I find those little reminders helpful.

So, yes -- it is St. Paddy's Day as I write this. I shall return with a special music post for the occasion. Do stay tuned.

Canada Remembers

Mrs. A Mackay Operating a Riveting Gun at Pictou Shipyards Ltd

Photographer unknown, Pictou, NS, January 1943

I have an affinity for Canadian women who worked throughout The Great War and The Second World War. I can't conceal my unabashed adoration for their work ethic, their fearlessness, and their dedication to the war efforts at large. During those crucial years of the twentieth-century, women across the nation were called upon to fill the holes left in the workforce after recruitment campaigns plucked young men from Canadian soil. These same women entered a world that appreciated their skills during the crisis and heralded them as the veritable angels of the home front for their personal sacrifice and focus.

And yet, I feel as though these same women are erased from the Remembrance Day ceremonies staged throughout Canada each year.

I understand and honour the vital position men played as foot soldiers, naval officers, and air force men and I respect the work men carried out on the home front as well. I would be a hypocrite to think otherwise. All of my grandfathers were involved in various aspects during the Second World War: my maternal grandfather fought in the Italian campaign and was involved with the liberation of Holland; my step-grandfather was a teenager in Poland during the Nazi invasion, yet he managed to escape and fight with the British RAF; and my paternal grandfather was still living in a Canadian orphanage at that time and cared for a large number of boys who had lost their parents.

But I still find myself unsettled by the thought of so many talented and courageous women being ignored on November 11th.

What of the women like my paternal grandmother, only a schoolgirl when WWII broke, who helped with various clothing and rubber drives and even involved herself with special projects including the infamous "knit a scarf/mitts for a soldier"?

And what of my maternal grandmother who worked as a riveter and welder in one of Canada's munitions factories, a woman who entered her young adulthood with a sense of freedom unknown to her own mother's generation?

I am a historian at heart and these are the personal stories I work to remember.

I found an excellent website for readers out there who are interested in The Second World War and the stories told from all fronts. The National Film Board of Canada has access to an in-depth collection of archival footage and photos from various Canadian perspectives in regards to WWII.

Check out The Home Front section to find videos documenting the "Rosies of the North" and a wide variety of propaganda pieces and recruitment media targeting female audiences at the height of the 1940s. It's a reminder of the vast effort women poured into the war years and of the equal sacrifices made abroad and at home.

Lest we forget.

The Brightest Note

Just a short post tonight -- it's a snapshot I wanted to save for posterity. I tell you, the smallest actions seem to hold the greatest value, it would appear.

My sister and I went out to a well-deserved dinner at Oliver & Bonacini's this evening. We've both been stressing about various issues and needed the chance to vent/process/rebuild to preserve our combined sanity.

And heck, a portobello burger with a side of tomato, watermelon, and feta salad is a gorgeous conduit for conversation.

We discussed her upcoming wedding, a potential weekend trip to Las Vegas (umm, yeah, it just might happen, kids!), and other stressors. About an hour later, the tables around us were slowly vacated until it was simply us sitting in our section.

When a lull in the conversation arose, my sister jumped right in: "So, I heard you told Mom and Dad about your news." News? Quoi? -- OH! "News," yeah, THAT news. Yeah, I came out to Mom and Dad at the end of August.

Turns out my Mom spoke with my sister the DAY AFTER I came out. I have to admit, I wasn't sure if my parents were ever going to bring up that conversation with my sister or my brother -- I thought it might turn into one of those uncomfortable silences we are notorious for creating and maintaining at all costs. But no, I was certainly mistaken!

I want to remember this evening because of the confidence I felt while talking with my sister. I never dreamt that this sort of ease could exist in a conversation that dealt with my orientation. I'm snug in that sleepy sort of happiness, the kind that comes after a long day that ends on the brightest note possible.

I'd say it's a decent starting point to another weekend, wouldn't you?

SUCCESS!!!

IT IS DONE!

SUCCESS IS MINE!

I AM OFFICIALLY OUT ON THE HOME FRONT!

... It's time to crack open the champagne, set the neighbourhood alight with fireworks, and just generally bask in the glory that IS being out to your parents.

It happened last night. I thought I was going to be ill with the stress of it. But, I had a spiel plotted out which helped matters along. Serious, I mean I spent company hours making sure my 'speech' would cover all the main topics I needed.

The jist:

• I am gay.
• I am confident with this identity.
• I love and respect my parents and needed them to know this important part about me.
• I am safe.

The spiel was about, oh... five minutes long at most. But, I spent about an hour to an hour and a half adding detail and tackling as much information as I could. I mean, I think fear develops from a lack of understanding, so I tried to provide them with as much concrete material as possible. I could tell Dad felt awkward, but he tried his best to keep the conversation going and make sure I felt secure in myself. Mom definitely looked upset at the start, but I feel as though my confidence mixed with my (surprising) amount of level-headed eloquence coaxed her away from her initial sadness.

I think that's what caught me the most off-guard -- I was calm once I started speaking. I was even confident throughout it. I made sure to take control of the conversation and take responsibility for their well-being and their understanding, and I think that's what turned the occasion into a positive one. And humour! I even incorporated humour into it all to break the tension which worked wonders, I tell you.

I've talked to quite a number of people about their own coming out experiences and I think I figured out how to approach the subject through those stories. I remember talking to O'Neill about this a while ago. He always stressed two vital ideas that every queer kid should tell their family during their Coming Out: that you love your parents and that you're safe. I tried to point out as many issues/thoughts that might be swirling around my parents' heads in that moment and I had planned out responses to them all (often before they could even ask the questions themselves).

My Dad reminded me that I'm his daughter, and being gay would never change that fact and would never change his respect for me.

My Mom told me she loved me and that she was thankful to know I felt confident and comfortable with talking to them and being honest with them. She even said she wanted me to know that should I ever want them to meet a special someone, our crew would be welcoming and open.

Honestly, I feel so at ease right now. I feel as if I could take on the world. I know my parents are concerned that life will get complicated for me at times, especially with being out -- but I'd rather deal with issues as an OUT woman than hiding away that aspect of me.

Hot damn -- what a day to be alive, kids.

Tea Parties with the Cuz

Right -- this update is another week late. I've had a number of post ideas buzzing about my brain during the past seven days, so I'll be playing a touch of catch-up as a result.

On Sunday, August 16, I had my Cousin over for an epic tea party/film fest/fan fiction memory tour that turned out to be a brilliant afternoon/evening.

She spent the week here in our hometown, a brief break from the translation world of Ottawa, ON. As I referenced in an earlier post, I decided to throw all my energy into the menu I prepared for our tea party.

Thought I should share the items with you all, just in case you're planning a quiet get together and brewing a pot of delicious tea with a friend.

Epic, Tea Deluxe Menu

• Rosemary Butter Cucumber Sandwiches
• Dill-Basil Cream Cheese Cucumber Sandwiches
• Avocado and Black Bean Hummus Rolls
• Shish Kabobs with an Asian-Inspired Orange Sauce
• Bruschetta
• Maple/Oatmeal/Red Currant Scones
• Caesar Salad (with some homemade croutons)
• Graham Cracker Dessert Squares: One of them was a little strawberry cheesecake square and the other was a rocky road square)

Am I awesome, or what? It was entirely too much food for two people to eat, but my family sampled quite a few of the items and folks seemed to agree that it was a success. I'm always nervous to cook for people. I mean, I cook for myself all the time (it comes with the territory of being the only vegetarian in the house), but for others...? I'm always nervous of negative responses, especially from the meat enthusiasts of the world. But yeah, I got favorable reactions from the lot of 'em. 

My Cousin told me she thinks I found my calling in life -- a caterer for large-scale events. I think I've got the enthusiasm for food, for sure. But I certainly do not have the draw to go through culinary school or anything of that ilk. As for entertaining friends, I'm thrilled to start exploring this area. And heck, who can turn down a tea party?

Had an excellent time with my Cousin overall. We watched Help! starring the Beatles, our favorite episode of M*A*S*H* ("The Smell of Music"), a selection of Monty Python episodes, and a handful of Harvey Birdman clips. 

And OH, the fan fiction. When we were thirteen-years-old, we actually wrote M*A*S*H* fan fiction. I mean, I know I've always been a nerd, it's just amazing to see how far back it actually spanned. We even wrote M*A*S*H*-themed dialogues for our grade school French classes. 

Mmm hmm.

We had another evening full of writing and tea on Friday, August 21, while the boys of our family had their band practice. (Oh, yeah, FYI -- my Dad, my brother, my uncle, and my other cousin are all in a band together and play at charity events across the GTA. Hey, I wasn't joking when I said music is in my genetic code.)

It was refreshing and inspired me (yet again) to pick up a pen or take to my laptop with a new writing fury. I think that might explain the two entries from this very day.

***

P.S. -- I re-branded my blog. I found "Queer in Canada" was a little... broad, perhaps. I'm still open to trying new titles, not quite sure what will fit best. I like the sound of "Cute, Queer, Canadian," though. We shall see.