TCAF and a Shout-out to Mothers

Lo, I emerge from the swirling vapours of the Blogosphere once more to offer updates on the life of a queer gal in Canada. I know, my posting has been fickle as of late—the new round of reasons are two-fold:

1. I landed an internship at a Toronto-based publishing house! I am two weeks into a three-month gig as I write this, and DAMN—time, she flies. I admit, I am quite low on the totem pole at the house (re: mail-room queen and coffee bitch), but I get to sit in on all our marketing/publicity/sales meetings, I get to attend our massive sales conference on Monday, I am making connections in the industry, AND I am getting loaded down with free books. Sweet, indeed.
2. Moffatt's airport crashed two weeks ago. As in, all Internet connections were severed for three of our tech-based gadgets (my laptop included, raahraahraah…). Our only working computer in the interim was our central hub—the computer located in our very public living room. Needless to say, I haven't been able to log a great deal of queer-based Internet hours for quite some time. BUT NO LONGER!

So, there. About three weeks in a nutshell. Odd how life rushes in all of a sudden, hmm? I have transformed into an average, though highly literate, train commuter who now has that precious foothold in a world I've dreamt of since I was a young'un. Here's hoping I can make the most of the experience while I am safe within our publishing house's embrace…

BUT ON TO WEEKEND FUN!

Saturday, May 7, 2011

TCAF TCAF TCAF TCAF!!

I attended the Toronto Comic Arts Festival in 2010 and had a blast perusing the wares of self-published artists, webcomic creators, and other graphic delight-ors. I was raring to get in on 2011's action and, as the skies would have it, we were gifted with gorgeous weather for the adventures ahead…

Ah, but all was not to be.

I arrived at noon which might have been the most hectic time to get there. I like smaller crowds. I like moving with care around vendors' tables. I like arriving at expos and festivals at the first morning light, when the artists are alert, spunky, and optimistic.

I arrived when all that ended, it would appear.

Also, vendor layouts proved problematic this time around—on the ground floor, one press had an entire line of tables set up for their artists, right? At the far right hand side of these tables, the press set up their most popular artist to sign autographs, sell books, talk to patrons, etc. Makes sense to place the heaviest hitter for the house at the main doors to the Toronto Reference Library, of course. However, as a result, the only place for fans to line-up for this creator extended in front of the other artists' tables. So, about seven to ten artists represented by this press were effectively blocked off from the public by a wall of fanboys. Not cool.

Also, on the second floor where most of the webcomic artists set up, TCAF opted to place Kate Beaton in the centre of the room. For those readers not familiar with the wonder of Kate Beaton, I suggest you check out Hark! A Vagrant right now. For those readers who do know of her staggering greatness and her nerd-centric comics, you will understand why it is not productive to place her in the middle of a room of vendors. In 2010, she had a corner table where a large queue of nerds could wait without blocking the tables of other artists. In 2011, fans were able to block vendors on both sides of the aisle. What the heck, folks. I was getting flashbacks to the sharp elbows of FanExpo 2010, here…

Now before I get other people decrying me for these critiques of TCAF, I do offer massive points for their inclusion of Prism Comics, a non-profit American group that promotes LGBT comics and creators.

I don't recall stumbling across or hearing about a queer-centric table at past TCAF events—for the most part, graphic novels with queer elements were dispersed throughout the crowd of vendors (which still occurred this year, of course). But still, it was a treat to browse through Prism's dedicated collection and to see that rainbow burst from a single table. Xtra! had a great article on Thursday discussing the evolution of queer comics and the trouble with censorship—and just how fantastic it is to know queer comics are both recognized and celebrated at this year's festival. Brilliant stuff, if I do say so myself.

***

I spent all of one hour at the event—the vendors I'd looked forward to visiting had no new material (??), and the crowds were making it difficult to reach tables in the first place. Again, I chalk it all down to the time I arrived there. In 2010, I was there about an hour and a half earlier and I had no trouble navigating the area.

As a consolation, I opted to revel in the warmth and walk over to my favourite little Japanese shop in Toronto—Sanko!

The Advocate and I discovered this gem on our Toronto adventure weekend in 2010, and I make as many excuses as possible to visit this place when I am idle and strolling through the city. I admit, Sanko is a far trek from all the areas I tend to inhabit in Toronto. I feel I am on a pilgrimage whenever I head over there, which just goes to prove how much I love the spot. Since I spent zero cash at TCAF, I used those funds to purchase a wicked expensive pack of green tea infused with sakura (aka. cherry blossoms) in addition to two onigiri and a bottle of iced jasmine green tea. Since we are at the end of the sakura season, the pack of loose leaf tea was a score on my part. Bah, I should have gone earlier and loaded up. Paf. I will have to make a note on my calendar for next year.

Sunday, May 8, 2011

And here we are at another Mother's Day. Plans this morning consist of A) buying an ice cream cake from Baskin Robbins (because the maternal parental has been mentioning it all week for some odd reason), and B) sending the paternal parental to a smoked meat location to pick up lunch (and a veggie sandwich for me to graze upon). We're having the grandparents over as well, so it'll be a multigenerational affair.

Actually, this Mother's Day comes with a new dynamic—the Sister is, at most, about five weeks away from having her baby. Imagine that, we are mere weeks from adding a new birthday to the calendar in our home. Our plans this afternoon involve working on the first part of baby's first birthday gift. We're going to make a movie, Moffatt-style, that documents the time before the baby arrives. I need to preface this project a touch—we tend to make strange films in our house. It more or less started with my 2008 graduation, in which the Sister filmed bizarre clips of my commencement, and the Brother edited it into an even more bizarre plot line. We have a strange sense of humour in our house, so I'm sure this child will ask us, "What on Earth were you all smoking when you made this video for me?!"

Anyway, this first part will include interviews with the grandparents (soon to be great-grandparents), my parentals (soon to be grandparentals), me and the Brother (soon to be aunt and uncle), and the expectant parents (the Sister and the Brother-in-Law). My siblings and I have only a handful of videos from our childhood—there's one from the days before the Brother arrived, and then we each have one video documenting our fifth birthdays. But yes, our plan is to let the baby know what we were all thinking about before it entered the scene and to offer it a glimpse into the excitement we are all feeling. Ah, it should be a good project, I tell you.

On that note, I am off to run my errands and to get prepped for our lunch. I hope the world is treating you well, dear reader, and I look forward to posting more content through this rebooted airport connection—YAAY!

Strange Days Lead to Strange Nights

I return -- the last crush of final assignments and panic-inducing sales conferences are finito, and I am free until January. But, last night. Oh, last night..... I can't quit you.

And by "quit you," I mean I cannot process just how events spun so off track.

Original Plans:

• Attend the last overview course, learn about scholarly publishing.
• Meet-up with all the kids from our program at 8 PM, and attend Ship Sharp's fundraising event at The Boat.

Straight-forward, right? The process was A-->B-->C, and then home again.

But no. No, no. I realize now just how much 2010 is not the Year of the Moffatt.

The Real Events:

• Drove 40 minutes to Kipling subway station to allow for a later night out. Started strolling to the underground path when I realized: Where are my keys? Imagine me pawing the window, staring at the keys nestled in the front seat cup holders.
• Called Mom so she could drive the back-up keys over. I did mention I was 40 minutes from home, right? And that I couldn't leave the car alone since the keys were so visible? And it was about -5C at that point? Did I also mention Mom has never been to the Kipling Station before? And that there are no clear signs indicating where the Kipling Station is? Did I also mention I suck at giving directions? Yep.

• Arrived downtown ten minutes late for class. Booked it across Yonge-Dundas Square where I wiped out on the pavement. And I mean wiped out. As in, four people were around me in four seconds helping me up and asking, "OHMYGOD, are you okay?!" My knee is swollen this morning.

• Ran into A and B, two girls from the program. Turns out our lecture was moved to another building, despite the fact that all night courses take place in ONE building only. None of us knew where the other room was, and a security guard offered the most confusing directions imaginable. Translation: Class is cancelled.
• Ran into K, who was also confused over the sign, but arrived later than the original group had. Decided to go to B's house to hang out before The Boat.
• Had an awesome time at B's for a few hours. Played the most cerebral version of Kings ever. Also discussed: party subs, December birthdays, how much older I am than everyone else even though I don't look it (yaaay!), how wild K's family is, how straight-laced mine is, plans for our publishing careers.

• 9 PM. B's friends still hadn't arrived. S texted B, told her he was heading out soon. Beer cut through rising nervousness, at least for a short while.
• 10 PM. B's friends arrived. No one but the publishing kids wanted to leave.
• 10:30 PM. Still trying to corral people who were at various stages of drinking/creeping sobriety. S arrived at The Boat with no one else from our program there.
• 11 PM. Managed to get people on the street. K and I were sober, everyone else was not quite. B tried to direct a crowd wandering in at least three different directions at once.
• 11:30 PM. Realized the people who said they were going to stop in at Pizza Pizza to pick up a slice were gone for 20 minutes. They sat down to eat. We were all waiting outside. Did I mention we were still on Front St. at this point? And The Boat is in Kensingtion Market area? Check out the interactive map --> here. Also, the Dundas St. W. streetcar had gone off the tracks earlier in the afternoon to add to the confusion.

• 11:45 PM. K and I split off from the group. K was exhausted, had to work the next morning at 8 AM. I had steadily lost hope for the second half of the night.
• 12:00 AM. Arrived at St. Patrick Station. Could not orient myself to the map. Realized if I made it to The Boat, I would just have to turn around to make sure I got back to Kipling Station before the trains stopped at 1:30 AM.
• 12:30 AM. Back at Kipling Station, defeated. Read a text from The Advocate asking about my whereabouts. Felt very cinematic at this point, surreal.
• 1 AM. Back home, icing my knee. Wondering how this would have looked as a bizarre, arts hauz film. Collapsed in bed.

***

In a nutshell, it was a strange night. I don't often experience strange nights like that. I felt disoriented, and not on account of the beer, either.

I had a three-hour window where the world was right.

We were all sitting around, sipping drinks, talking arrogant about the future. I was in a good place, mingling with new people who were interested in attaining the same goals as me. And the thought of connecting this new network with the established network of people from high school felt right. I was buzzing at the prospect of one artistic crowd blending with another. I'd been talking about The Boat all week, and the ladies were excited to get there and dancedancedance.

And then I watched the night unravel. I felt removed from it, oddly. I was watching the beer pounded back, I was watching the clock ticking forward, I was watching the red-and-green CN Tower lit up from B's window -- the whole scene was like a glass floor cracking under foot. I traced the lines out, and knew there wasn't a single thing I could do to stop it.

And then I knew 2011 has to be different. In all possible senses, it has to be.

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?

The Toronto Green Living Show: Round Four

Speaking of anniversaries and such, this weekend marks the FOURTH Green Living Show held at Toronto's Direct Energy Centre on the CNE grounds. And what, pray tell, could be more intense than four years of this consumer-driven, eco-assuming showcase?

Oh, perhaps the fact I have attended ALL FOUR SHOWS.

I think I've reached the point where I need to attend for the sake of my strange ego. Who out there can boast their attendance at all four Green Living Shows? (Well, aside from my Mom who's attended with me, of course). At this rate, I could reach a decade of Green Livin' madness. Who knows, the Earth might stop revolving if ever I miss one. You know that volcano in Iceland? Perhaps it's a warning sign of worse to come should I ever not attend Toronto's Green Living Show.

Right.

Readers might be interested to re-read last year's post in which I examine the 2009 Show in reference to the earlier shows. (I also attended the Fly By Night theatre company's fundraiser that evening which involved a bachelorette/bachelor auction, so, um, click on over to that.)

So, conclusions for the 2010 Green Living Show:

• FOOD STALLS. OH SWEET GOODNESS. People shoved food samples at me from all angles. And drink samples. I had fresh-squeezed orange juice, white tea, protein smooties, and boxed apple juice in a one-minute span. Dizzying, indeed. 2009 was nothing but yogurt samples. In 2010, visitors needn't even purchase lunch due to the sheer volume of free snack samples available.
• CORPORATE SPONSORS. Seems the big hitters are coming around to the show's increasing revenue/success. From major magazines to auto dealers, from major grocery chains to home renovation locales -- it was big business all around. Granted, there are tons of small business there as well. But, it seemed the major players bought up the best real estate in the building.
• FREE(ish) TICKETS. Mom read somewhere about the One Electronic Waste Product = FREE Admission to the Show. Lo, the Moffatt clan has stock-piled a collection of ancient cell phones so we got in free(ish) of charge. We've had those cell phones since, oh... 2001? I know. They're relics, now. All you could do with them was make phone calls. Weird.
• HIGHER EDUCATION APPEALS. I do believe this is the first time I saw Toronto-based universities and colleges with booths at the show. All were natured-focused, earth science-y, or arbour-related. Power to them if it aids enrollment.

And, most vital for the readers of said blog:

• QUEER PEOPLE WITH THE CASH TO SPEND ON ECO-CONSCIOUS PRODUCTS WERE IN ATTENDANCE ONCE AGAIN.

Serious. I referenced this phenomenon on a past blog and I stand by it now: if you want to meet successful queer people outside of the clubbing circuit, visit trade shows focused on green living or healthy lifestyles. It's staggering the number of gay, lesbian, and bi individuals you will stumble across at these places.

And, if these demographic stats are correct, then it's an impressive bunch to socialize with:

84% between the ages of 20-49

66% are female [...]

59% hold professional or managerial positions

69% have university or post-graduate degrees

SIGN ME UP. Oh, and on another note, the organizers managed to lure the likes of Colin Firth and Amy Smart to the Saturday main event. Perhaps the increased numbers of corporate sponsors is related to this.

Oh, and on a random tangent, I also found the gorgeous tea shop I purchased some goods from at the first Green Living Show. I was thrilled as I hadn't seen them at the last two events. I descended on Tea2Gather and picked up some white tea, pure green tea, and a delightful lavender tea blended with mint and rosemary. I'm still in the middle of a soothing, tea-induced reflective state and will likely remain here for the rest of the week.

So there -- 2010 = Success. I sampled, I steeped, and I partook in a fair bit of eye candy. Who knew a green lifestyle could coincide with increased visibility for the queer community-at-large?

I guess we're just savvy like that.

***

And while we're on the topic of savvy kids, I know of one stellar individual who could use some of your support right this minute. The Advocate's in the running for The Best Travel Job Ever and she's closing in on the elusive top 25 position. Click on over and give her a vote or twelve -- let's send The Advocate packin'!

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.

Weekend Watch: Toronto Alert

So, it's a tall order for this weekend -- there are TWO birthday bashes lined up and both are located in the heart of Toronto. This is the year where most of the kids I hang out with (including myself) are turning 24 which is quite a nerve-wracking revelation.

Regardless, these next two evenings are poised to be perfection:

• Friday, Jan. 15/2010: Set out on a mini book tour of The Annex area w/ The Advocate, partake in some cheesecake also; Drink a round or two in honour of Mr. Shirreff's 24th; Meet The Advocate's gentleman friend (who I will have to create a nickname for... at the moment, I only know him as "that awesome guy who owns a Thundercats t-shirt.")
• Saturday, Jan. 16/2010: Break out the Big Guns to celebrate Ship Sharp's 24th. It will no doubt be amazing. And I violated her "No Gift" policy, but I know it's something she will dig. She's been dared to spend the evening channeling the 51st-century, omnisexual vibe of Captain Jack Harkness which should be interesting. I have the feeling The Advocate will receive most of the advances as she was the one to challenge Ship Sharp to this brazen flirtation.

***

I've spent this week as an extended vacation. Sent out a couple resumes, launched back into the ol' gym routine, dedicated myself to eating healthier on the home front.

I spent an hour yesterday walking through the suburban trails around the house and it was gorgeous. The temperature was up to 2C and there was a steady sunlight that made the last remnants of snow sparkle. I felt compelled to walk to my old elementary school which I did -- I'm not sure what it was tugging me in that direction, but I ceded free will to it. Despite the winter muck and the stark trees, it felt very much like The Wind in the Willows, which I appreciated.

On the way back, I came across this bizarre scene -- on one of the trails, huge swathes of the forested area have been gated off and are now private access...? I was surprised and confused all at once. Had someone else been there with me, I know I would have hopped the fence to explore some more. Hmm, I'm sensing a reckless adventure coming on....

Dionne Brand: Toronto's Newest Poet Laureate

EXCITING NEWS for all those ladies out there who:

A) Love poetry, 

B) Love Canadian authors/scholars, or 

C) Love queer women who can wield the written word to their advantage.

Enter: Dionne Brand.

The woman is all of the above and so much more. As of this week, Ms. Brand assumed the prestigious title of Toronto's Poet Laureate and I am SO FREAKIN' EXCITED.

Her powerful and stunning verse/prose/scholarly endeavors have garnered her a ream of national awards and nominations and have secured a place for her among the international heavyweights of the literary world. I mean, to describe her creative efforts as "impressive" is a severe understatement:

• No Language is Neutral (Poetry): Short-listed for the Governor General's Award in 1990.
• Land To Light On (Poetry): Won the Governor General's Award and the Trillium Book Award in 1997.
• thirsty (Poetry): Winner of the Pat Lowther Award; Finalist for the Trillium Book Award and the Griffin Poetry Prize in 2003.
• Inventory (Poetry): Finalist for the Governor General's Award in 2006.
• What We All Long For (Fiction): Winner of the Toronto Book Award in 2006.
• Winner of the Harbourfront Festival Prize, an award honouring individuals who have made a substantial contribution to books and writing in 2006 (I'm sensing 2006 was a STELLAR year for Ms. Brand....)
• Contributed to 17 anthologies, written dozens of essays, made four documentaries for the National Film Board.

*Tries to catch her breath*..... Wow.... WOW...... I need to... get started on work..... and achieving... things.

I think what makes this appointment even sweeter is the fact that Ms. Brand is an out and proud queer woman. Lesbian perspectives, negotiations with gender and race, and feminist free thought act as central themes throughout her work, as does the individual's presence and place within the city (or, in numerous cases, within Toronto). 

As Poet Laureate, Dionne Brand will be Toronto's literary ambassador at various cultural events throughout the city and will advocate on behalf of poets, artists, and linguists across the GTA.

SO. INTENSE. AND. AWESOME.

So, a tip of the hat to Dionne Brand and a glass of champagne to celebrate yet another accolade to add to her collection.

The Word on the Street: 2009 Edition

[(Toronto + Massive literary festival) x Hours spent with your closest friends] = ONE EPIC SUNDAY ADVENTURE.

For future reference, this equation will be known as "Moffatt's Law of Excitement" or The Word on the Street: 2009 Edition.

After all my years spent on the fringes of 'The Centre of the Universe,' I find it shameful that this was only my FIRST time at Toronto's Word on the Street. How could I let this happen? I am SUCH a book nerd. And I am SUCH a literary criticism nerd. Heck, I was even an ENGLISH MAJOR for goodness sakes. I choose to go to lectures ON WEEKENDS. *Shakes head at herself for her past negligence* 

Regardless of my inexplicable absence from previous Word on the Street festivals, I gotta say that this one fulfilled all of my expectations. I was there at 11 am when the stalls first opened and I stayed until the last lecture wrapped up at 6 pm. And, I swear, I would have stayed longer had the festival continued onward.

SO! POINT FORM!:

• Managed to catch a magical Express Go train that whisked me into the city a whole lot faster than I had anticipated. Gave me time to stock up on water and gum for the hours ahead.
• Messed up with the subway -- I realized I was heading in the exact OPPOSITE direction from Queen's Park once I reached Wellesley. I've been programmed to go to the Gaybourhood at all costs it would appear. Seems my Gaydar has evolved to a Gay Positioning System (GPS) now.
• Arrived with ample time to wander through the park and assess the layout of the festival. Had difficulty locating the main tents I wanted to hit up -- serious, the map and the actual geography of the stalls were QUITE different. Still, though, I found what I needed to get me through the morning.
• 12 pm: Poetry Slam the First @ The Proud Voices tent. I believe the first LGBT series of lectures at Word on the Street started in 2007 and I was excited to see the crowd was still representing for us queer kids. Second Equation of the Day: Powerful, passionate words + fiery, compelling queer girls = ONE. THRILLED. MOFFATT. Serious. In fact, I'll break with my point form to introduce you to the lovely ladies of the noon Slam Event:

Beth Anne Fischer

Ms. Fischer coordinates a Slam/dance crossover event in Guelph each month. In addition, she's a member of PLUG Poetry, a crew that performs throughout Southern Ontario

Her poetry focuses on the beauty and potential that lives inside each of us, a brave position to take in this world of cynics. Gotta say, she definitely put a smile on this girl's face.

Truth Is

Truth Is holds the 2009 Toronto Poetry Slam Grand Slam Championship title and she shows no sign of slowing down. She's been a Toronto International Poetry Slam finalist; she's been a repeat participant in the Women of the World International poetry slam; AND she was part of the When Sisters Speak spoken word contest.

She's a master when it comes to articulating raw emotion to the point where even her pauses are filled with meaning. I even heard she's prone to perform on street corners and in streetcars throughout Toronto, so keep an eye out for this rising poet, ladies.

• Spoke with both poets after their performances -- I feel as though I'm on the cusp of discovering an electric, exciting world of writers I had never even known about before The Word on the Street. Not to mention, I could even find my first footing with the city's queer community at long last!
• Met up with My Advocate and her sister -- or, rather, I harassed them as they handed out samples of Cheerios at a 2010 Olympics booth at the festival. I even posed as a postcard enthusiast so I could talk to them both. My Advocate was finished at 2 pm, so I had an hour to walk through the stalls and struggle to resist the Siren song of manga and literary journals...
• 2 pm: Headed to the Vic College Book Sale. OH, Mecca of literature -- what a world. I spent just shy of $50 dollars on books in the span of, oh.... 2 hours? Actually, that's fairly decent, considering I was bombarded by alluring titles all day. Found an archaic book about a man who travels the world (aka Europe) in a hot air balloon. My Advocate and I vowed to film segments and post them on YouTube.
• 3:45 pm: Roasted corn/ice cream break.
• 3:55 pm: Found Margaret Atwood's autograph table and GAVE HER MIGHTY CUT-EYE. *Feels fulfilled* I like the whole -- Miz Moffatt: Your presence angers me which makes me stronger. You best watch out, Atwood. Margaret Atwood: Ah, but your ANGER gives ME strength! HAHA! Miz Moffatt:... Damn you, Atwood. 
• 4 pm: Dragged My Advocate over to the Scotiabank Bestsellers Tent to see "The View From Out Here" panel discussion with DIONNE BRAND!..... and Jane Urquhart, Nino Ricci, and Camilla Gibb. Jane Urquhart told me and My Advocate to write about lampposts. I believe we must, now. Marveled at the tendency writers/scholars have to invent words to articulate apparently 'complex' ideas. (e.g. "Belongingness") Our invented Word of the Day: "Poetricity" (po-et-TRISS-it-ee). I.e. "Look at that balloon in the tree there. How poetic -- the autumn sun is setting and a small, yellow balloon is trapped there in the branches -- Ah, yes, the poetricity of the moment is breathtaking."
• 5 pm: Paused at the Comics & Graphic Novels Tent and saw a panel discussion on Canadian webcomics. This was probably the most lively and hilarious discussion of the event. I love writers and all that, but there can be this air of pretension that creeps in when a large group of 'em are all together. But, OH, artists -- they're the life of the party, even if they seem quiet at first. We met up with Napoleon and hung out there until the end of the panel's discussion.
• My Advocate offered to have us kids return to her house for some pizza and Torchwood festivities -- the catch was my car. I was parked at the Go Train station WAY back in the suburbs and needed that to get home after mass chillin'. Napoleon offered to drive me there and then take My Advocate back to her home. AWESOME TIMES. I picked up juice and pop and met up with them later.
• Ship Sharp arrived for the festivities -- she even bought rings for the Advocate and me at The Clothing Show at the Better Living Centre. Mass jokes about Captain Planet ensued. Ship Sharp = TART! The Advocate = DANCING QUEEN! Miz Moffatt = SO GOOD! Apparently, our powers, when combined --> Napoleon dancing for our amusement. 

All in all, it was an outstanding Sunday. I didn't get home until about 11:30 pm -- VERY past my current bedtime, since I am an old woman trapped in the body of a 23-year-old woman. Speaking of which, it is 10:46 pm as I write this, so I ought to drop off for the evening. 

Expect more updates and randomosities to come! (Oooh, that's Invented Word No. 2. I'm on a roll here, people. I must be brilliant!)