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?

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.

I.O.U.

I.O.U.: One Tunes for Tuesdays post and another bit of random fare from the Life of Miz Moffatt.

***

Reasons:

• A substantial dip in the health metre this past week. Never fear, tests are in line for next week, so here's to finding solutions.
• Took in another evening with Ladies in Writing. Discussed our hectic schedules, our homework avoidance, and our favourite books of the moment.
• Intense desire to re-watch some vital episodes from an anime series I need to post about soon.

Will return tomorrow. In the meantime, feel free to cast a vote in favour of The Advocate's travels abroad over at The Best Travel Job Ever. She's entered the home stretch of this first round of competition and needs your help to move on to the next level. Check her out and send her packin'!

365 Days with Ladies in Writing

It is official -- as of this evening, Ladies in Writing reached our one-year anniversary. Over countless mugs of steeped tea and quite a few scones on my part, our collective has explored the written word beyond the borders of our original class and into coffee shops across the GTA.

We were enrolled in the same Intro. to Creative Writing workshop held each Wednesday during the October 2008 to December 2008 stretch. We huddled around tables in a little church in the suburbs and shared stories scribbled in notebooks, on scrap paper, and even on a few napkins. The idea of a writing group was a snap decision made after our final class and we have continued to meet each month to share our work and hone our craft.

Now, I admit, we're a relaxed group. We're more supportive than we are critical. I'm aware that I'm probably known as "the young one who writes the disturbing fiction," but that's fine by me. I know there'll always be a chair waiting for me each month.

We're quite the motley team of writers. Two women have retired; three women are around my parents' age and are quite successful in their careers; and then there's me, the random twenty-three-year-old queer gal who idolizes writers like Sylvia Plath and Chuck Palahniuk (and yes, it is quite evident in my writing). I'm often there to act as the voice of the 21st-Century Youth and whatnot, but I've come to learn quite a bit about the perspectives of the older generations, too.

Regardless of the age differences between us, we're linked by our love of the written word and our desire to have others hear us out and give us the motivational push we need to carry on. The Ladies even decided it's time for me to get out there and submit my stories to contests and literary journals across Canada. I gotta tell you, it's a massive boost to the ol' self-confidence to hear such glowing words from a group of women you respect entirely. They're even willing to chip in on a Writer's Calendar so I can get out there and force these stories of mine into the public sphere.

Too sweet.

In 2010, we're setting precise writing goals for ourselves and creating accountability among the members. Should be an interesting experiment. I can only hope I will continue to earn my place among them each month (so long as I tone down the creep factor of my fiction. Heh.)

Flash Fiction, Queer Style

Nothing is more refreshing and satisfying than an overcast Sunday dedicated to reading. There's something about those looming grey skies that induces the need to brew some tea and settle down with a new novel or a collection of poetry.

I would argue there is no bliss sweeter than disappearing into another world and intertwining yourself with an exciting narrative. But hey, I know I'm a little bit biased what with that degree in English hanging on my wall...

This weekend, I have thrown myself into the tight, breathless, electric world of Flash Fiction and all its subgenres. I've known about this form since about 2005, but I realize now that my knowledge was superficial at best.

Oh, Flash Fiction? Yeah, those are the stories written in 100 words, right?

I had assumed that. Oh, so naive. Turns out the 100 word maximum is just the beginning.

There's short-short, sudden, postcard, minute, furious, fast, quick, skinny, smoke-long, and micro fiction. There's 55 Fiction, 100 Word Drabbles, 69ers (the word limit, not the... position), and more. Some argue the absolute maximum is 75 words while others are lenient and view 1,000 words as the limit.

It's enough to make a writer's head spin.

I was assigned this research assignment by the writing group I belong to. Ladies in Writing is experimenting with its format a touch and we're trying to lure our peripheral members back with this informal lessons. I am the first to take on the task of teaching, hence all the notes on this genre. I have to say, though, as a writer, this form offers an amazing opportunity to render meandering prose to its most basic and vital elements. I love how quickly a story can materialize and I'm sure readers appreciate the abrupt nature of the narrative. Both sides are left satisfied -- the writer feels accomplished and polished, the reader finds an intense and condensed story to delve into during the spare hours of their day.

Mutual, creative fulfillment -- none too shabby.

For this Sunday, I will leave you all with a flash fiction I wrote back in 2005 for an alternative magazine published at our campus. Similar to the poem Efflorescence, this was published for their annual Queer Issue (coinciding with October's Queer Identities Week). Hope you enjoy and I hope you have an excellent Sunday evening, ladies.

***

The Dandelion

*Published in 2005.

We were only seven-years-old.

We sat in a field of prickly grass dotted with the brightest dandelions I had ever seen. My new skirt was already stained green at the hem. My friend thought it looked better that way. She picked a dandelion by her ankle and held it beneath my chin.

"If your chin turns yellow, it means you eat a lot of butter."

My skin stayed pink. I did the same for her and her face lit up. The flower left a yellow smudge that stained her for a whole week, much to her mother's chagrin.

That was the day I fell in love with her.