Thursday, August 21, 2008

For Nemy


Hi Nemy - I took this picture for you, with Nicole from TVO the Space (or Enviro Girl). She was here giving us workshops on presentation and delivery and general performance issues. My performance issue is that I unfortunatey walk around with a Renee Zelleweger just-sucked-a-lemon purse on my lips at all times. Why didn't any of you tell me?

Wednesday, August 20, 2008

Directorial debut

Sorry kids, no pictures. Today we went downtown and staged a fake campaign promoting urban forests. I was the director, but a rather impotent one, Im afraid. It was difficult to communicate to the camera man the shots I wanted, even more, knowing what shots I wanted. I think it was sucessful, and now I have a long night ahead editing it into some sort of movie.

Will post more footage. I can see now, quite clearly that I am a behind the scenes girl - I thought for sure I would be jealous of the people on screen, but I'm not. I'd much rather be in charge.

Tuesday, August 19, 2008

The hoodoos



Finally made it to the hoodoos. Problem was, I didn't realize that you couldn't get down to the hoodoos from the trail. So I sailed right past them, and kept going. And going. And going. Until I realized that I had been running for 20 minutes past the hoodoos.

So I turned around, went back to the lookout, and looked at them for awhile. Then I hobbled the 5 K back to the centre, tired and hypoglycemic.

But happy. No matter how tired, hungry, dishevelled I might find myself, if I am in the mountains on a trail, I am happy.

Saturday, August 16, 2008

Tunnel Mountain






Another day another hike. Unfortunately, there are a limited number (2, really) that are accessible from the centre. I won't be getting into the alpine on this trip.

Today, for the first time, I don't have to be in until 10am. They are assessing our first writing piece - I wrote about quantum cryptography. Yes, precisely.

I went for a dip in the bow river yesterday - while it was chilly, Kootenay is not a heck of a lot different.

I feel very frustrated because I can sense that this course an opportunity to drastically alter my course, if I want to. This business is all about connections, and here are mine. Had this course come one year ago, I know for sure that I would be leaving academia and pursuing writing full time.

But now....all these plans and the security of this plush academic environment, I'm not sure what to do.

Friday, August 15, 2008

To the Hoodoos






I didn't quite make it to the hoodoos yesterday - a bit far for my morning run. As you can see, these runs are trancendental. Actually run is a bit of a stretch. Run/walk is more like it both because of the atmosphere but also because of the vistas. I dont want to go too quickly.
Perhaps the only bad thing about being here is being so close to this landscape and yet alienated from it. We might as well be in a basement in Toronto. Actually, Im surprised we haven't exploited the natural landscape, yet.
So far: 1 coyote, a deer and two fat voles. I only wish my girls were here with me. I miss my girls.

I miss my girls.

I miss my girls.

Saturday, August 2, 2008

Happy Birthday MJ

Happy Birthday, where ever you are! I hope you're having better luck than I am with your bday cake. Im trying to make Anemone's without the aid of an oven or ANY cooking utensils. Grim.

Anemone reminds me so much of you sometimes - her fearless, relentlessly fun seeking self.

Last week , and have I mentioned Im not ready to go dammit? Germany, I have not had my way with you yet.

It is scary how I respond to the culture. Jennifer's not keen on it - she finds them too dour and peevish. She'd like to see them crack a smile once in a century. I see what she means, but I get it. I, like them, think it's insipid to walk down the street grinning. Authenticity, to me, is everything. And Germans have no problem telling you when you are pissing them off; yet there is not consequence to these bitter little exchages. If people were as free to speak their minds in Canada, there would be a lot more physical altrications. Here, there is little consequence other than general peevishness. I find North Americans too ingenuine sometimes, ie, have a great day, and all that other smiley face b.s.

Im really not in a bad mood at all, contrary to the timbre of this posting.