#NaNoWriMoWinner2016

I am actually sad that the month is over but also exhausted, so therefore relieved. I am so proud to say that I did not miss one day of writing and now have over 150 pages (double spaced) of a manuscript to work off of. I actually plan to stick it in the freezer for two months before I go to edit it.

I did not read ANYTHING that I wrote for the first time ever. Each day was just a matter of keeping on. Which led to some great momentum. I was able to stay focused on where the story was headed instead of perfecting how to tell it. I have finally embraced the methods that seem to work best for me, which is also such a win in its own right.

I feel like I've reached a different understanding of writing that I have been striving for --> knowing the ending. This was another big one because I had to realistically get my characters there. It gave me momentum and made me think harder about character choices and therefor character identity.

Lastly, NaNoWriMo has given me pacing. Since I had my scene's as a sentence on index cards (with one to four jot notes) ahead of time, I knew that I had a limited amount of scenes that I could use each day. This forced me to draw things out that I normally wouldn't have. To really enhance the detail and give more meaning to why the character was there. I played more with scent and sound and really stretched which helped me be there with my character.

This was a great experience and it was easier this year because 1. This book has been in my brain for a long ass time, 2. I had a plan and the random things floating in my head turned into 'scenes' for the character to get through 3. I didn't let myself fall behind, I planned ahead and wrote more whenever I could to get ahead.

I imagine this process is so different for everyone but I'll keep doing this every year and maybe try a NaNoCamp in April?

GUSH

Alright. WOW. Life is just a wave of pretty damn cool right now, so I wanted to share my beam of happiness. 2015 has started off with a bang. I actually submitted two things in January. A play for 10X10 and an application for Correspondence program of the Humber School for Writers. Today I just found out I got both. AND I got my Puzzometry puzzle in the mail. AND yesterday there was a huge snowfall covering Thunder Bay in an awesome blanket of hip level snow. AND I'm in an online writing class which made the whole correspondence program at Humber seem like the best way to go to school ever.
So open the pink champagne, do the work, show up, follow your dreams folks.

Purple Locks

I've been adding tiny bits of purple with no real effect, really trying to mix the colour I wanted. After some strand tests it's finally here! I would give the recipe for those wanting to mix their own but unfortunately I really can't remember. I know there's some of the left over pinks I had, with some Manic Panic Ultra Violet and Bad Boy Blue. A good rule I came across is the colour in the bowl should be two shades darker than the colour you want to end up with. I left the top blond and saturated it with purple shampoo that tones the blond to get it close to a white silver, striping it of the yellow hues.

 Here are the results:

Pink Flamingo Hair

I use to be a brunette, and once upon a time (circa 2008) I bleached my brown locks from a box so it was an awesome orange, and then covered it in Manic Panic electric blue. It only lasted a few weeks but from then on I wanted to grow my hair as long as it would go and dye it a whole bunch of colours.

I left it long for a while, and when I was traveling I didn't have time or money to waste on hair care. This year was finally the time! I went professional for the bleaching and trusted Sal at Violet Blonde to take me as blond as he could. Sal has seen my many hair transitions, from super long to pixie short, and he always makes my hair look amazing. He had my complete trust and I loved the blonde he managed to get me to. 

I let it stay blonde for a few weeks but when my roots started to come it, it was time for the pink!

I started with Manic Panic Cotton Candy. Placing it sparingly in highlights so it peaked through my hair. It was nice to start with but I quickly started adding more until I wanted something more vibrant.


I got Manic Panic Fuschia Shock,  Hot Hot Pink, another Cotton Candy and went to work mixing colours and layering for an ombre effect.



The Fuschia shock was completely overpowering though...

The ombre effect was hardly noticeable until after a few washes. Then the lighter pinks started to wash out completely. That's when I learned you could mix colours with conditioner and place all over, to restore the colour. That's when the ombre really came through.

Then I was kinda over it with the pink washes and an annoying patch of fuschia would not let up. So I redid my roots and did an all over bleach at Curl Up 'N' Dye. 
Now I have a new blank canvas to try out...

Purple's next!

Frame of Keys

I have acquired many house keys, because I have lived in many houses. Actually many isn't the right word... multitudinous, a multitudinous array of homes. Even though I usually return the keys after moving I've gathered quite the stash. So, I've taken all those keys and just before tossing them, thought ART ATTACK!

I removed all the key rings and chains, and placed the keys around the frame, to make sure they fit. I painted all the keys, with nail polish I got at a dollar store ($1.50 each), used an IKEA frame I already had ($2.99 each). I'm a big fan of spray glue, but I didn't think that would hold the weight of the keys, and I couldn't find my glue gun, so gorilla glue was the winner. I took off the back so it was just the frame, and no chance of glue getting on the glass. I let in dry, and now for a picture of my dream house, all done.

Happy Birthday Jenn!

It's Jenn's birthday!! Which led me to create the ridiculous video below. I had some up close sloth footage, that I had been saving to share on her birthday. Then I finally read her facebook events page and realized she had a great request for her birthday this year. Option One was to go to her party and dance to fantasticly funky beats all night long. Her brilliance was with her Option Two, allowing her friends from all over the world participate in the dance party! The facebook event read: 

If, for some unfortunate reason, you cannot join me in person, send me a video or photo of your best dance move. You have a week to practice. Don't let me down. Bonus points for groups. Oh, and tell me what song you were jamming to. It will be the playlist of the (quarter of a) century.

So naturally, I thought a sloth paired with some monkeys and a turkey, all grooving to a k-os song was the way to go...

Cheat sheet of inspiration

We ALL get down, we ALL get mopy, EVEN ME: Ms. Positive-Spin-for-everything. I've been known to wallow watching An Affair to Remember (the 1957 makes me cry every time), Grey's Anatomy and Gilmore Girls.

I've also been known for 'Dance it Out' moments and '30 second dance party' inspired by Grey's Anatomy (usually without the tequila), combined with the phrase 'dance like no ones watching'. Pick a dance song and just give 'er! If anyone's around they have to join in and it usually ends in a pile of laughter, the ultimate best medicine. If nothing else you get some endorphins. You're responsible for your own comfort no matter where you are or who you're with.

I would like to share with you my master list of links HERE

Normandy on a sunny day

Being yelled at to wake up to go on 

a spontaneous road trip, 

that's what friends are for!  

These are photos from that day in May I visited Normandy 

with Johno and Max.

Normandy on a sunny day, a set on Flickr.

I had just gotten home from a long shift at the bar that ended at 6am and a late night out that brought me home with the sun a bit too bright. I had just gotten an hour of sleep when my phone woke me up and Johno was yelling that I needed to get out of bed and downstairs in 15 minutes. Max had his car and it was time to get the hell out of Paris, at least for a day. I slept in the car until it was time to take in the ocean view and famous hedges of Normandy. We didn't make it to all the places we wanted but we did get to spend a lot of time on the beach. We stopped and had delicious crapes and coffee at  Crêperie du Coin, villerville. If you're in Normandy, it's the place to eat!

My view today

The view from here is ever clear

the sky and clouds abound

a looking glass makes the bay surface

to mirror water's other form

my heart gets torn to choose the best

the reflecting or reflected

my eyes cannot hide, there's no way to decide

all nature is beauty perfected

Rejecting the form, no room for social norm

in open sea and vast land

the tree's grow wild, my mind beguiled

stray feathers find my hand

Each day that I wake, a dream I forsake

to live in a natural way

No one to impress, no one to caress

a very small price to pay

As green grows lush, home holds no rush

my feet feel best on the ground

The open air dismisses my care

no shoes or city to bound

The jungle calls, rain pounds and falls

commotion becomes peace

the terrace I walk, to birds I talk

I feel a great release

Photo Montage of my first month in Panama

Hot Apple Cider Recipe

It's been cool (but not Toronto kinda cold) in these Europe parts so I've taken to making spiked hot apple cider for my hosts. It's been very well received and I'm learning that maybe it's more of a Canadian thing then 'of course everyone knows about this' kind of thing. (maybe?)

How To: make four cups of yummy apple cider 

In a double boiler or Baño Maria (Big pot has water, ingredients go in smaller pot that sits in the big pot)
4 mugs full of Box or can of Apple Juice (most natural possible)
About a Spoonful of Cinnamon (Use sticks over ground when you can)
About a Spoonful of Cloves or Allspice
Orange peel (approx. 3/4 of a regular sized orange, just skin it like you would a potato)
About a Spoonful of Maple Syrup (or honey)

Then you let the big pot boil to let the apple juice get hot and it will change colour. When the juice is almost boiling get out the mugs and add a little bit of rum at the bottom. Use a sieve (if you didn't use cloves then you probably don't need a sieve) and pour in the hot goodness. Serve, everyone enjoys.

I love learning how different parts of the world stay warm. In Spain they use a mesa-camia like a table-bed. There's a medium to small circular table with a table cloth over a blanket. Under is a little heater and everyone gathers around pulling the blanket over themselves to get toasty warm.

Lets go on a fairy walk...

Lets go on a fairy walk..., a set on Flickr.

Do you see what I see? JUNE 2011

Do you see what I see? JUNE 2011, a set on Flickr.

My photo art for June