Hey Humble Readers...
Okay, I need some external motivation. I obviously am not doing well at motivating myself.
August has been an almost complete write off exercise-wise. The prolonged crud, and then shoe issues prevented me from my usual walks.
I 100% acknowledge that I could have been doing workout videos in the house once I was finally healthy again, but I chose to use the lack of walking footwear as an excuse. I went out on the weekend and bought myself new shoes, and I have gone for walks, albeit shorter than before (only 4.7km) the last two days, but have not done my post-walk workout (squats and weights).
And you guessed it, I have an excuse.
The new shoes are, well, new. The need to be broken in. Hence I got a blister on my baby toe yesterday. Not unusual. I got up this morning at 5 and slapped a Band-Aid on my blister and headed out for my walk.
Again, I only made it four laps of the neighbourhood because of pain in my baby toe. I got home, stretched and that was it. I discovered that somehow, the Band-Aid that I wore this morning had managed, in co-operation with my new shoes, to create a blood blister on the tip of my toe.
Ask me how motivated I am to go for my walk tomorrow morning. I dare you.
Please, can someone give me a pep talk? I need a serious kick in my still-substantial posterior to get myself back in gear.
Tuesday, August 27, 2013
Monday, August 26, 2013
The Dirty Word: A Hobbit-ish Paradigm Shift
Hey Humble Readers...
Feminism was never on my radar. The idea of being a feminist, someone who burned their bra and participated in protests, and screamed about women's rights wasn't someone I wanted to be. Not intentionally, but through learned behaviour.
"Feminist" was as bad as the other "f-word" in my bio-family when I was growing up. Not that it was ever stated outright. Implications, unspoken lessons, and unwritten rules shaped who I was as a girl and young woman.
My bio-dad would make drunken comments about that 'femi-nazi' at the bank, the liquor store, or the post office who didn't serve him in the manner he felt he deserved. From my bio-mom I learned that women who spoke up or spoke out didn't get love, because the love of a man, any man, was better than being alone. Women were supposed to be sweet and agreeable, and never push too hard for what they needed because the man's needs were more important, and women get their worth from the man who loves them. From my bio-grandma, I learned that women are the caretakers, the cleaning ladies, and the child-bearers... and as such women didn't have the authority to speak up for their own well-being and safety, and that a woman wasn't equipped intellectually or spiritually to be able to teach boys over the age of 12 at church (seriously, she practically disowned me when I told her I wanted to go into youth ministry). Even the pastor who performed my confirmation tried to steer me into a 'more appropriate' career path, to be a Lutheran deaconess (ministry professional) rather than youth ministry, where I felt called.
My other family, the family of my heart, was much more vocal about rights, although they certainly aren't anything close to activists. There the anti-feminist message was more subtle. Mom would always look to the douchewaffle (formerly known as Dad) for the final word on a given situation. Not that I see that as a bad thing in and of itself... in any family there sometimes has to be someone to make the final judgement call. But given how things have played out in their relationship, I do see it as a power play that left my Mom in a vulnerable spot. Mom has always been a strong lady. I think she downplayed her own abilities to make the douchewaffle feel better about himself, and she did it so often that she started to believe it herself. As an aside, the douchewaffle actually said to me once when I was in my late teens or early twenties, when we were discussing donating blood, that women technically could donate more often because they 'get rid of their bad blood every month', of course implying that menstruation is somehow dirty and the blood from our uteruses is tainted (rather than just unneeded).
Throughout my college career, I was surrounded by strong women and men who taught me that spiritual giftings know no gender. That women and men are equal in the eyes of God. I was encouraged, challenged, and grew to understand that as a woman, a woman of faith, I had a role to play. In my church, in my family, in my world.
But still, I wouldn't ever have considered myself a feminist. That was still some kind of dirty word.
I have been blessed with a wonderful husband, who genuinely supports me in anything I do or want to do. He doesn't see value based on gender, but in the actions and accomplishments of the individual. He has never treated me as anything but an equal and a partner in all our endeavours as a couple and a family.
It wasn't until I was deep in the trenches with my battle with IF/RPL that I began to sense a change in my attitude toward feminism.
Part of it came from what I started to learn about reproductive rights, and what was going on south of the border. In Canadian politics, reproductive rights are not talked about all that often. The abortion issue was decided in 1988 when "the Supreme Court of Canada struck down the abortion regulation which allowed abortions in some circumstances but required approval of a committee of doctors for violating a woman's constitutional "security of person"" (Wikipedia). Since then, the issue is strictly avoided by Parliament, most of the time, and when it does rear its ugly head, it tends to get kicked to the curb pretty quickly. This doesn't mean, however, that there is availability or access everywhere across the country (there is no access to abortion in Prince Edward Island, and in New Brunswick it isn't covered under the provincial medical program). Assisted reproductive therapy is a different story though. The legalities are still a bit on the fuzzy side. Cloning is, of course, verboten. And it is illegal to sell gametes (sperm, eggs), but they can be donated. Surrogacy is complicated by both federal and provincial legislations, which don't always agree. Coverage of fertility treatments by provincial health care also varies across the country.
Part of my feminist awareness arose from a statement that I read on Mel's blog several years ago now, that opened my eyes in a way I never expected. She said that if we want to fight for reproductive rights as they pertain to assisted reproductive therapies, we MUST ALSO support a woman's right to choose. They are part and parcel. You can't have one without the other. I had to really think on that for a long time before I could say that I agreed. Would I ever get an abortion? No. Would I suggest it to someone? Not likely. Would I counsel someone against it? Probably. But I cannot, in good conscience, say that it is wrong for a woman to be able to determine what happens with her body. No one has that right, except the woman in question.
But the tipping point for me, when I felt that I had to change how I thought about feminism, was when we finally had children. And not just because we have a daughter, but also for our son.
I want them both to grow up in a world where their gender does not define their abilities, their opportunities, or their limitations. I want Ginny to be able to do and be whoever and whatever she wants to be. I don't want her to ever think of herself as less or more, simply because she has 'indoor plumbing'. And in the same way, I don't ever want Pippin to think of himself as fundamentally better or worse than someone by virtue of his genitalia.
I recently read an article about men's rights organizations (advocate for fair custodial settlements and for those who are falsely accused of sexual assault), about how their demographics are changing. No longer are their ranks made up mainly of fathers who just want equal opportunity to raise their children, but angry young men (primarily 18-25 year olds) who generally use threats of violence, usually of a sexual nature, against women who speak out for gender equality and equity. The article scared me a bit. I don't want my son to grow up thinking that feminists are all vitriolic man-haters, and I don't want my daughter to grow up thinking that all men are out to push women down and prone to violence. I have never liked generalizations like that.
I will teach my wee-lings that gender does not limit or solely define who we are. That we all have the right to determine what happens to our bodies. That marriage is a partnership between equals, not a battle to be won (don't get me started on all those engagement photos on Pinterest that imply 'the hunt is over', etc).
For better or for worse, this hobbit is a feminist.
Feminism was never on my radar. The idea of being a feminist, someone who burned their bra and participated in protests, and screamed about women's rights wasn't someone I wanted to be. Not intentionally, but through learned behaviour.
"Feminist" was as bad as the other "f-word" in my bio-family when I was growing up. Not that it was ever stated outright. Implications, unspoken lessons, and unwritten rules shaped who I was as a girl and young woman.
My bio-dad would make drunken comments about that 'femi-nazi' at the bank, the liquor store, or the post office who didn't serve him in the manner he felt he deserved. From my bio-mom I learned that women who spoke up or spoke out didn't get love, because the love of a man, any man, was better than being alone. Women were supposed to be sweet and agreeable, and never push too hard for what they needed because the man's needs were more important, and women get their worth from the man who loves them. From my bio-grandma, I learned that women are the caretakers, the cleaning ladies, and the child-bearers... and as such women didn't have the authority to speak up for their own well-being and safety, and that a woman wasn't equipped intellectually or spiritually to be able to teach boys over the age of 12 at church (seriously, she practically disowned me when I told her I wanted to go into youth ministry). Even the pastor who performed my confirmation tried to steer me into a 'more appropriate' career path, to be a Lutheran deaconess (ministry professional) rather than youth ministry, where I felt called.
My other family, the family of my heart, was much more vocal about rights, although they certainly aren't anything close to activists. There the anti-feminist message was more subtle. Mom would always look to the douchewaffle (formerly known as Dad) for the final word on a given situation. Not that I see that as a bad thing in and of itself... in any family there sometimes has to be someone to make the final judgement call. But given how things have played out in their relationship, I do see it as a power play that left my Mom in a vulnerable spot. Mom has always been a strong lady. I think she downplayed her own abilities to make the douchewaffle feel better about himself, and she did it so often that she started to believe it herself. As an aside, the douchewaffle actually said to me once when I was in my late teens or early twenties, when we were discussing donating blood, that women technically could donate more often because they 'get rid of their bad blood every month', of course implying that menstruation is somehow dirty and the blood from our uteruses is tainted (rather than just unneeded).
Throughout my college career, I was surrounded by strong women and men who taught me that spiritual giftings know no gender. That women and men are equal in the eyes of God. I was encouraged, challenged, and grew to understand that as a woman, a woman of faith, I had a role to play. In my church, in my family, in my world.
But still, I wouldn't ever have considered myself a feminist. That was still some kind of dirty word.
I have been blessed with a wonderful husband, who genuinely supports me in anything I do or want to do. He doesn't see value based on gender, but in the actions and accomplishments of the individual. He has never treated me as anything but an equal and a partner in all our endeavours as a couple and a family.
It wasn't until I was deep in the trenches with my battle with IF/RPL that I began to sense a change in my attitude toward feminism.
Part of it came from what I started to learn about reproductive rights, and what was going on south of the border. In Canadian politics, reproductive rights are not talked about all that often. The abortion issue was decided in 1988 when "the Supreme Court of Canada struck down the abortion regulation which allowed abortions in some circumstances but required approval of a committee of doctors for violating a woman's constitutional "security of person"" (Wikipedia). Since then, the issue is strictly avoided by Parliament, most of the time, and when it does rear its ugly head, it tends to get kicked to the curb pretty quickly. This doesn't mean, however, that there is availability or access everywhere across the country (there is no access to abortion in Prince Edward Island, and in New Brunswick it isn't covered under the provincial medical program). Assisted reproductive therapy is a different story though. The legalities are still a bit on the fuzzy side. Cloning is, of course, verboten. And it is illegal to sell gametes (sperm, eggs), but they can be donated. Surrogacy is complicated by both federal and provincial legislations, which don't always agree. Coverage of fertility treatments by provincial health care also varies across the country.
Part of my feminist awareness arose from a statement that I read on Mel's blog several years ago now, that opened my eyes in a way I never expected. She said that if we want to fight for reproductive rights as they pertain to assisted reproductive therapies, we MUST ALSO support a woman's right to choose. They are part and parcel. You can't have one without the other. I had to really think on that for a long time before I could say that I agreed. Would I ever get an abortion? No. Would I suggest it to someone? Not likely. Would I counsel someone against it? Probably. But I cannot, in good conscience, say that it is wrong for a woman to be able to determine what happens with her body. No one has that right, except the woman in question.
But the tipping point for me, when I felt that I had to change how I thought about feminism, was when we finally had children. And not just because we have a daughter, but also for our son.
I want them both to grow up in a world where their gender does not define their abilities, their opportunities, or their limitations. I want Ginny to be able to do and be whoever and whatever she wants to be. I don't want her to ever think of herself as less or more, simply because she has 'indoor plumbing'. And in the same way, I don't ever want Pippin to think of himself as fundamentally better or worse than someone by virtue of his genitalia.
I recently read an article about men's rights organizations (advocate for fair custodial settlements and for those who are falsely accused of sexual assault), about how their demographics are changing. No longer are their ranks made up mainly of fathers who just want equal opportunity to raise their children, but angry young men (primarily 18-25 year olds) who generally use threats of violence, usually of a sexual nature, against women who speak out for gender equality and equity. The article scared me a bit. I don't want my son to grow up thinking that feminists are all vitriolic man-haters, and I don't want my daughter to grow up thinking that all men are out to push women down and prone to violence. I have never liked generalizations like that.
I will teach my wee-lings that gender does not limit or solely define who we are. That we all have the right to determine what happens to our bodies. That marriage is a partnership between equals, not a battle to be won (don't get me started on all those engagement photos on Pinterest that imply 'the hunt is over', etc).
For better or for worse, this hobbit is a feminist.
Sunday, August 25, 2013
Sunday Night Chit Chat: This & That
Howdy Humble Readers...
I hope you've all had a great weekend.
(Before I forget... J.R. has released a sneak peek of his upcoming book release on his website. Click over to check it out, and if you don't know what or who I'm talking about, go here to read my interview with author J.R.Vikse and enter my giveaway!)
Things in the hobbit-hole were hoppin' yesterday. My Beloved and the Wee-lings left for Little Town To The South at around 8:30 in the morning. I got to work on painting the bath and hall by 9:00. I was still at it when they got home at 8:00 last night, but I was doing extra, unplanned painting in our front entryway. It wasn't until ten o'clock last night that I was able to take a shower and scrub off all the splatters and splotches. I was hoping to have before and after pics for you all, but there are still a few details (like a new mirror, which won't be getting purchased until next weekend) that need to be installed. Overall, I'm happy with the results. It's much brighter, and feels a bit more spa-like.
Today has been much less productive, in large part due to a lousy night's sleep and aching muscles. I managed to get myself to Wa.lma.rt to buy myself some new walking shoes. Hopefully they last longer than the last pair (not from Wally World, but from a chain shoe store).
Something I learned yesterday (beyond the fact that painting a bathroom sucks)... I don't handle separation from my family well. Specifically, me being at home by myself, with them out of town. It was surprising and honestly a bit upsetting to discover that I was very anxious as they were leaving. Off and on throughout the day, waves of uneasiness would wash over me. It's odd, because I've never had this issue before, like when I've gone to Big City To The North with the girls. I'm hoping it's just a phase.
And speaking of phases... I say this in a whisper, as I don't want to jinx it, but it appears that Ginny is coming out of her "I don't want to feed myself" phase. She's very proud of herself when she finishes eating in a timely manner, and when she hasn't needed any help from us. One thing that may have helped is that we are now allowing her to have a cup with a bit of water at dinner time. She's one of those kids who would fill herself on a drink and not eat, so the rule has always been that beverages come after meal time. Now, at dinner, she gets a special cup half full of water, and she's allowed to take sips after every few bites. I don't know if there's a correlation, but I'm happy nonetheless.
Onto this week's chit chat. Here's what I'm...
Reading... Mistress Of My Fate by Hallie Rubenhold. The jury is still out on it. Parts of it makes me think of a regency era Twilight, but other parts are quite good. We'll have to see how it comes together at the end. Not sure what's on deck, as I am at the top of the wait list at the library for the Robert Gailbraith (aka JK Rowling) novel. We'll see if I get a call from them in the next couple of days.
Watching... A Mythbusters marathon. I love those guys.
Listening to... my Beloved mutter to himself as he studies for his next CGA exam.
Cooking/Baking... Tonight was pretty tame. Steaks with compound butter, mashed potatoes, and roasted carrots and broccoli. I had some of my no sugar added, lactose free maple walnut ice cream for dessert (it actually tastes a lot better than it sounds).
Happy I Accomplished This Week... Ummm, well I painted the bathroom, the hall, the entry way and coat closet. While I actually gained back a few pounds, I discovered I HAVE A COLLAR BONE! You can see it, a little. It's been missing for the last decade or so.
Looking Forward To Next Week... This week is going to be a challenge. Lots to do, and a short time to get it done. But it's all for a good reason... VACATION! My daily to do lists are a little crazy, but I am adamant that I won't leave anything in the hobbit-hole for my MIL (who will be here to care for the Wee-lings) to clean or reorganize.
Thankful for... That my family is safe and sound, under our roof.
***Bonus Question*** Are you sad that summer is coming to an end, or looking forward to the fall months? I have always loved autumn. It's always been a season of beginnings. My birthday, the start of the school year (which I have always loved, even when my life hasn't been defined by school), the lead up to the holidays, the cooler weather after the heat of summer. All of it breathes new life into my soul.
*****
This is posted as a part of Carla's Sunday Night Chit Chat. Pop over and check out what the others are chatting about tonight.
 |
| Miss Ginny at the park |
 |
| Pippin hangin' out in the front yard |
I hope you've all had a great weekend.
(Before I forget... J.R. has released a sneak peek of his upcoming book release on his website. Click over to check it out, and if you don't know what or who I'm talking about, go here to read my interview with author J.R.Vikse and enter my giveaway!)
Things in the hobbit-hole were hoppin' yesterday. My Beloved and the Wee-lings left for Little Town To The South at around 8:30 in the morning. I got to work on painting the bath and hall by 9:00. I was still at it when they got home at 8:00 last night, but I was doing extra, unplanned painting in our front entryway. It wasn't until ten o'clock last night that I was able to take a shower and scrub off all the splatters and splotches. I was hoping to have before and after pics for you all, but there are still a few details (like a new mirror, which won't be getting purchased until next weekend) that need to be installed. Overall, I'm happy with the results. It's much brighter, and feels a bit more spa-like.
Today has been much less productive, in large part due to a lousy night's sleep and aching muscles. I managed to get myself to Wa.lma.rt to buy myself some new walking shoes. Hopefully they last longer than the last pair (not from Wally World, but from a chain shoe store).
Something I learned yesterday (beyond the fact that painting a bathroom sucks)... I don't handle separation from my family well. Specifically, me being at home by myself, with them out of town. It was surprising and honestly a bit upsetting to discover that I was very anxious as they were leaving. Off and on throughout the day, waves of uneasiness would wash over me. It's odd, because I've never had this issue before, like when I've gone to Big City To The North with the girls. I'm hoping it's just a phase.
And speaking of phases... I say this in a whisper, as I don't want to jinx it, but it appears that Ginny is coming out of her "I don't want to feed myself" phase. She's very proud of herself when she finishes eating in a timely manner, and when she hasn't needed any help from us. One thing that may have helped is that we are now allowing her to have a cup with a bit of water at dinner time. She's one of those kids who would fill herself on a drink and not eat, so the rule has always been that beverages come after meal time. Now, at dinner, she gets a special cup half full of water, and she's allowed to take sips after every few bites. I don't know if there's a correlation, but I'm happy nonetheless.
Onto this week's chit chat. Here's what I'm...
Reading... Mistress Of My Fate by Hallie Rubenhold. The jury is still out on it. Parts of it makes me think of a regency era Twilight, but other parts are quite good. We'll have to see how it comes together at the end. Not sure what's on deck, as I am at the top of the wait list at the library for the Robert Gailbraith (aka JK Rowling) novel. We'll see if I get a call from them in the next couple of days.
Watching... A Mythbusters marathon. I love those guys.
Listening to... my Beloved mutter to himself as he studies for his next CGA exam.
Cooking/Baking... Tonight was pretty tame. Steaks with compound butter, mashed potatoes, and roasted carrots and broccoli. I had some of my no sugar added, lactose free maple walnut ice cream for dessert (it actually tastes a lot better than it sounds).
Happy I Accomplished This Week... Ummm, well I painted the bathroom, the hall, the entry way and coat closet. While I actually gained back a few pounds, I discovered I HAVE A COLLAR BONE! You can see it, a little. It's been missing for the last decade or so.
Looking Forward To Next Week... This week is going to be a challenge. Lots to do, and a short time to get it done. But it's all for a good reason... VACATION! My daily to do lists are a little crazy, but I am adamant that I won't leave anything in the hobbit-hole for my MIL (who will be here to care for the Wee-lings) to clean or reorganize.
Thankful for... That my family is safe and sound, under our roof.
***Bonus Question*** Are you sad that summer is coming to an end, or looking forward to the fall months? I have always loved autumn. It's always been a season of beginnings. My birthday, the start of the school year (which I have always loved, even when my life hasn't been defined by school), the lead up to the holidays, the cooler weather after the heat of summer. All of it breathes new life into my soul.
*****
This is posted as a part of Carla's Sunday Night Chit Chat. Pop over and check out what the others are chatting about tonight.
Friday, August 23, 2013
Hobbit-ish Potpurri: A Tale Of Two Dressers
Howdy Humble Readers...
First and foremost, if you're here from ICLW, check out my introductory post here. And if you are looking for my interview with up & coming author, J.R. Vikse, check it out here. Don't forget to enter for the giveaway of J.R.'s debut novel The Lazy Postman (and don't forget to check back next month for the second part of my interview with him about his new book, The Keeper Chronicles: Playing With Fire).
*****
I'm taking a break from my prep for the painting I'm going to be doing this weekend (sooooo sick of plaster dust from filling dings and holes), just so I can come chat with you fine folks. The hallway is completely prepped now... holes filled, sanded, and trim/doorframes are taped. Bathroom is almost ready to go. I need to tape the trim and take down the medicine cabinet (I hate the thing. It's going into the dumpster). Other than just painting, I'm completely reorganizing our little bathroom, so I stocked up on storage containers for under the sink at the dollar store. I also bought hooks for our towels (not enough room for towel bars for all four of us), a new towel ring for the hand towel, and a shelving unit for over the toilet. My Beloved and the wee-lings are heading down south to my MIL's place for the day, so that I can have the hobbit-hole to myself. Yay!
*****
It's a hazy warm day here in the Shire, I think from the wild fires burning south of the border. We've actually had a really nice stretch of weather the last week or so. Warm but not too humid, and cool at night so we can sleep. A nice change from the majority of the summer, which has either been soggy or muggy.
*****
I'm in a quandary, Humble Readers. My Beloved and I decided that for our birthdays (his at the end of the month, mine is the middle of next month) we are going to buy new dressers for our bedroom. Since before Ginny was born, my Beloved has been using a laundry basket for clothes storage, because we stole his dresser and painted it for the nursery. The dresser I have is a cheapo-pressboard-piece-of-junk that's falling apart. For quite a long time I have been fixated on a dresser from Ik.ea...
I actually really like the bigger version, the one with 5 drawers, but two of those is not an option budget-wise. While I was on their website, I came across this...
It's bigger and actually cheaper than the three drawer unit above. I like the general style of it, but it's natural pine, which means I would have to stain it or paint it. I have never stained anything before, so I'm not sure how good I would be at that. Painting would probably be a better option because I have done that in the past... but then the issue of where I would paint them, and keep the wee-lings away from them while they dry.
Any thoughts? Suggestions?
*****
I have to report that the lack of exercise over the last several weeks due to the lingering crud has taken its toll. I have gained back a few pounds (of course, I'm too pathetic to record that on my tickers). Gah! And to add insult to injury, the new walking shoes I bought back in June are already headed to the trash. The insoles are shredded and there are already holes in the toes. Grrr... I spent a decent amount of money on them. And the only other shoes I have to walk in are my Sha.pe Up.s, which hurt my toes. Not exactly motivating. I am going to have to get a new pair of shoes, it's just dang frustrating.
*****
Pippin just got his one year vaccinations on Wednesday, only three months late. He's doing pretty well with them, only a bit of a fever yesterday and some general grumpiness. He's over 25lbs now, and 32.5 inches tall. He's catching up to Ginny so fast. Too fast. I talked to the nurse about his lack of talking, and she told me not to be concerned just yet. Because he's a second child, and a boy, it's very common that speech can be a bit delayed. She gave me some suggestions to help him strengthen the muscles in his face and how to encourage him to talk. It's apparent that he understands much of what we are saying. He responds to most directions and comments directed at him. He dances to music, and he likes to laugh, squeal, make lots of little boy noises. I guess I just need to be patient. The nurses also suggested that we hound Dr. B to get Pippin in to an allergist, given the extent of his eczema. Most doctors around here like to wait until the little ones are closer to two years old before they go the allergist route.
*****
Well, I should get back to work on the prep for painting. Pippin has just crashed in his playpen, and Ginny is snoozing in the nursery, which means I have about an hour of uninterrupted work time. Woohooo!
First and foremost, if you're here from ICLW, check out my introductory post here. And if you are looking for my interview with up & coming author, J.R. Vikse, check it out here. Don't forget to enter for the giveaway of J.R.'s debut novel The Lazy Postman (and don't forget to check back next month for the second part of my interview with him about his new book, The Keeper Chronicles: Playing With Fire).
*****
I'm taking a break from my prep for the painting I'm going to be doing this weekend (sooooo sick of plaster dust from filling dings and holes), just so I can come chat with you fine folks. The hallway is completely prepped now... holes filled, sanded, and trim/doorframes are taped. Bathroom is almost ready to go. I need to tape the trim and take down the medicine cabinet (I hate the thing. It's going into the dumpster). Other than just painting, I'm completely reorganizing our little bathroom, so I stocked up on storage containers for under the sink at the dollar store. I also bought hooks for our towels (not enough room for towel bars for all four of us), a new towel ring for the hand towel, and a shelving unit for over the toilet. My Beloved and the wee-lings are heading down south to my MIL's place for the day, so that I can have the hobbit-hole to myself. Yay!
*****
It's a hazy warm day here in the Shire, I think from the wild fires burning south of the border. We've actually had a really nice stretch of weather the last week or so. Warm but not too humid, and cool at night so we can sleep. A nice change from the majority of the summer, which has either been soggy or muggy.
*****
I'm in a quandary, Humble Readers. My Beloved and I decided that for our birthdays (his at the end of the month, mine is the middle of next month) we are going to buy new dressers for our bedroom. Since before Ginny was born, my Beloved has been using a laundry basket for clothes storage, because we stole his dresser and painted it for the nursery. The dresser I have is a cheapo-pressboard-piece-of-junk that's falling apart. For quite a long time I have been fixated on a dresser from Ik.ea...
 |
| Hemnes 3 drawer dresser - $149.99 image courtesy www.ikea.com |
 |
| Tarva 5 drawer dresser - $139.99 image courtesy www.ikea.com |
It's bigger and actually cheaper than the three drawer unit above. I like the general style of it, but it's natural pine, which means I would have to stain it or paint it. I have never stained anything before, so I'm not sure how good I would be at that. Painting would probably be a better option because I have done that in the past... but then the issue of where I would paint them, and keep the wee-lings away from them while they dry.
Any thoughts? Suggestions?
*****
I have to report that the lack of exercise over the last several weeks due to the lingering crud has taken its toll. I have gained back a few pounds (of course, I'm too pathetic to record that on my tickers). Gah! And to add insult to injury, the new walking shoes I bought back in June are already headed to the trash. The insoles are shredded and there are already holes in the toes. Grrr... I spent a decent amount of money on them. And the only other shoes I have to walk in are my Sha.pe Up.s, which hurt my toes. Not exactly motivating. I am going to have to get a new pair of shoes, it's just dang frustrating.
*****
Pippin just got his one year vaccinations on Wednesday, only three months late. He's doing pretty well with them, only a bit of a fever yesterday and some general grumpiness. He's over 25lbs now, and 32.5 inches tall. He's catching up to Ginny so fast. Too fast. I talked to the nurse about his lack of talking, and she told me not to be concerned just yet. Because he's a second child, and a boy, it's very common that speech can be a bit delayed. She gave me some suggestions to help him strengthen the muscles in his face and how to encourage him to talk. It's apparent that he understands much of what we are saying. He responds to most directions and comments directed at him. He dances to music, and he likes to laugh, squeal, make lots of little boy noises. I guess I just need to be patient. The nurses also suggested that we hound Dr. B to get Pippin in to an allergist, given the extent of his eczema. Most doctors around here like to wait until the little ones are closer to two years old before they go the allergist route.
*****
Well, I should get back to work on the prep for painting. Pippin has just crashed in his playpen, and Ginny is snoozing in the nursery, which means I have about an hour of uninterrupted work time. Woohooo!
Thursday, August 22, 2013
Author Moment: An Interview with J.R. Vikse (Part The First)
Hey Humble Readers...
Today I bring you something different from my usual ramblings about life with an ent and two wee-lings. I think it's actually pretty special.
A friend of mine, a blogger, actor, fellow bibliophile, and author is getting set to release a new book next month, the first in a fantasy trilogy for young adults called The Keeper Chronicles: Playing With Fire and he has agreed to let me pick his brain, not once but twice, about his work as a writer. The second half of this interview will be posted during September's ICLW.
Before we begin, I want you to imagine someone who is a combination of Harry Potter, Niles Crane (from Frasier) and Eric Forman (from That 70s Show) in both looks and personality, and that's my friend J.R. Vikse. He's funny, smart, creative (who else could come up with the most excellent game called "Most Likely To...") and is the reigning champ of our "Six Degrees of Separation" tournaments that helped to pass many slow winter afternoons in the bookstore where we both worked. I can genuinely say I knew him way back when... :)
So J.R., why don’t you tell my readers a little bit about yourself?
I was born, as so many are, as a baby. From that point on, a variety of events happened which had a variety of consequences and eventually led me to this interview. In the meantime, I grew up in the medium-sized city of Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada, where I earned my degree in history and met and married my incredible wife, Krista. We then moved to Victoria, BC, where I wrote my first novel, The Lazy Postman, and spent a great deal of my free time onstage, as a theatrical actor and director. In my non-free time, I worked in a plethora of bookstores, which afforded me the opportunity to read an absolutely ridiculous amount of books, as well as meet and work with my friend Mrs. Gamgee, the gracious host of this blog. My wife and I currently live in Melbourne, Australia, where I have been doing more writing, acting, and directing, all while surrounded by people with funny accents.
You’ve
published a book prior to this new one (The Keeper Chronicles: Playing with Fire).
Can you tell us a bit about The Lazy Postman?
The Lazy Postman was an accidental novel. It was meant to be a short story, and then grew out of control until suddenly I had a full book on my hands! The story details two weeks in the life of Jordan Melville, a recent high-school graduate who is, for the first time, living on his own in a new city. Everything is going swimmingly until he realizes that he is receiving all the mail for his entire housing complex and is forced to deliver it to his new neighbours. As he meets them and is introduced to their eccentricities, he discovers that the world outside of his childhood bubble is more complex, and more hilarious, than he'd ever expected. Soon, Jordan is inserting himself into their lives, reading their mail, and getting into situations that make him confront the reality of relationships in all their complicated glory. The Lazy Postman is a book about connecting with people, and all the hysteria, hilarity, and heartache that can result.
Is there anything you can tell us about the new book to whet our appetites?
Ooooh, you're a naughty, naughty girl for asking that! This project has been wrapped up in more secrecy than a J.J. Abrams film! I have released a blurb that will adorn the back jacket of the book, which I will post again here:
Under the guidance and protection of the Keepers, the world of Tranthaea has been at peace for five hundred years. But all of that is about to change...
Callum Swift, a fifteen-year-old pickpocket, and Jingwei Li, a sixteen-year-old environmentalist, are just trying to live their lives as best they can. The challenges of school, work, and awkward relationships are all that they have time for each day, and every night when they go home; Callum to the dirty streets of London and Jingwei to an uncaring foster home in L.A., each of them wonders what it would feel like to be wanted. Until, that is, they discover they may have unexpectedly developed powerful new abilities.
When they are transported to the strange and unfamiliar world of Tranthaea, they have no idea what is expected of them, and even less of an idea of what's in store for them. Tested by shifting allegiances, incredible creatures, and powerful enemies, Jingwei and Callum are asked to defend the world from an unknown attacker with an unknown agenda. But are they able to accept the responsibility, or will their new powers be too much for them to handle? Faced with impossible decisions, Callum and Jingwei are forced to rely upon one another to find the courage they'll need to survive.
I won't be giving to much more away before it's published, but what I can tell you is that over the next couple of weeks I will be releasing some excerpts from the prologues of Playing with Fire on my website (JRVikse.com), so check it out and you'll get a sneak-peek at the two lead characters, Jingwei Li and Callum Swift.
In the meantime, I can say that contained within the pages of this book are some of my favourite characters of those that I have written. Jingwei Li, especially, was a true pleasure to write. She is a very strong, forthright girl, who refuses to take any nonsense from anyone else, and more often than not speaks her mind, often to hilarious effect. She was incredibly freeing to write, and I would often laugh out loud (and still do) at some of the things she says, and the inopportune times she chooses to say them. In one scene, when she is being presented to a person of no small importance, she introduces herself and Callum. The other party notes: "You speak for him. Is he your servant?" Jingwei responds, "Not yet... but we've only just met." I look forward to introducing her to the readers with great anticipation.
Today I bring you something different from my usual ramblings about life with an ent and two wee-lings. I think it's actually pretty special.
A friend of mine, a blogger, actor, fellow bibliophile, and author is getting set to release a new book next month, the first in a fantasy trilogy for young adults called The Keeper Chronicles: Playing With Fire and he has agreed to let me pick his brain, not once but twice, about his work as a writer. The second half of this interview will be posted during September's ICLW.
 |
| J.R. Vikse |
So J.R., why don’t you tell my readers a little bit about yourself?
I was born, as so many are, as a baby. From that point on, a variety of events happened which had a variety of consequences and eventually led me to this interview. In the meantime, I grew up in the medium-sized city of Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada, where I earned my degree in history and met and married my incredible wife, Krista. We then moved to Victoria, BC, where I wrote my first novel, The Lazy Postman, and spent a great deal of my free time onstage, as a theatrical actor and director. In my non-free time, I worked in a plethora of bookstores, which afforded me the opportunity to read an absolutely ridiculous amount of books, as well as meet and work with my friend Mrs. Gamgee, the gracious host of this blog. My wife and I currently live in Melbourne, Australia, where I have been doing more writing, acting, and directing, all while surrounded by people with funny accents.
When and why
did you start to write?
As is so often the case, my love of writing began exactly where it ought to: in the library. I was an early reader and as a child was encouraged by my parents to read lots and read often, developing my imagination through the power of the written word. It even got to the point of being used as my punishment (no quiet times for me; if I was a bad boy, I was grounded from reading!). In high school I had an English teacher who encouraged us to write a little every day in class. So we had fifteen minutes to write whatever we wanted to write: poetry, stories, journaling, etc. And there began my love of writing (thanks, Mr. Issler!) as a purely entertaining activity. I didn't start writing short stories with the aim of actually finishing them until six years later, but once I started, I couldn't be stopped! Now my brain no longer turns off, but continues to send stories to my fingers, forcing them to dance on the keyboard like authorial marionettes. I am a huge proponent of the idea that concepts can best be taught through fiction, and that storytelling is THE method of passing on culture, ideas, morality, social conscience, etc. After all, they're called heroes for a reason, right?
 |
| Available at Amazon.com Paperback and Kindle editions |
The Lazy Postman was an accidental novel. It was meant to be a short story, and then grew out of control until suddenly I had a full book on my hands! The story details two weeks in the life of Jordan Melville, a recent high-school graduate who is, for the first time, living on his own in a new city. Everything is going swimmingly until he realizes that he is receiving all the mail for his entire housing complex and is forced to deliver it to his new neighbours. As he meets them and is introduced to their eccentricities, he discovers that the world outside of his childhood bubble is more complex, and more hilarious, than he'd ever expected. Soon, Jordan is inserting himself into their lives, reading their mail, and getting into situations that make him confront the reality of relationships in all their complicated glory. The Lazy Postman is a book about connecting with people, and all the hysteria, hilarity, and heartache that can result.
This new series is significantly different from The Lazy Postman. What made
you go in a different direction?
Like I said before, The Lazy Postman was a bit of an experiment. I wanted to see if I could write a full story in an extended format. It turns out that I could, and so I decided to put my mind to a more complete and intentional project. The Keeper Chronicles is the extension of that decision. It's really been about me maturing as a writer and being best able to give the reader an incredible experience. Once the idea for this story presented itself to me, I invested my time and energy into a full pre-production process, scribbling pages of notes in my own chaotic version of an encyclopaedia. I even sketched a few designs and maps which will never see the light of day, as I am not an illustrator of any kind! For me, this project has been about aiming to bring order and discipline to the passion project that writing has always been for me. The entire trilogy, not just Playing With Fire, is mapped out, with full characters and plot points ready to go. The writing experience has been very different because of that. The fact that it's fantasy, and therefore one of the most creative of all literary styles, in my mind, is the icing on the cake. I've always loved youth fantasy, and it has been a pleasure to delve into this side of writing and pursue the creative with the safety net of actually knowing what I'm doing this time! I am very excited about this project, and about Playing With Fire particularly!
Is there anything you can tell us about the new book to whet our appetites?
Ooooh, you're a naughty, naughty girl for asking that! This project has been wrapped up in more secrecy than a J.J. Abrams film! I have released a blurb that will adorn the back jacket of the book, which I will post again here:
Under the guidance and protection of the Keepers, the world of Tranthaea has been at peace for five hundred years. But all of that is about to change...
Callum Swift, a fifteen-year-old pickpocket, and Jingwei Li, a sixteen-year-old environmentalist, are just trying to live their lives as best they can. The challenges of school, work, and awkward relationships are all that they have time for each day, and every night when they go home; Callum to the dirty streets of London and Jingwei to an uncaring foster home in L.A., each of them wonders what it would feel like to be wanted. Until, that is, they discover they may have unexpectedly developed powerful new abilities.
When they are transported to the strange and unfamiliar world of Tranthaea, they have no idea what is expected of them, and even less of an idea of what's in store for them. Tested by shifting allegiances, incredible creatures, and powerful enemies, Jingwei and Callum are asked to defend the world from an unknown attacker with an unknown agenda. But are they able to accept the responsibility, or will their new powers be too much for them to handle? Faced with impossible decisions, Callum and Jingwei are forced to rely upon one another to find the courage they'll need to survive.
Writers
are quirky folks. Do you have any idiosyncrasies when it comes to your
creative endeavors?
Certainly more than my wife wishes I had! I do have the tendency to require absolute silence to write. The noise of traffic, a dishwasher running, or even loud birds (of which there are many in Australia, I can tell you!) can knock my brain off-track. This means that my most creative moments are often in the middle of the night/early morning when I jump out of bed to write down my newest, greatest idea before it fades into the dream from whence it came. Of course the irony of this is that I am told that I am a very noisy writer; I mutter, click my tongue, pop my lips, tap my fingers, and hmmm and haw audibly. As so many other writers do, I also always have to have something handy to jot down notes in; my phone will do in a pinch. Inspiration will strike at the most inopportune moments, and I'll often interrupt dinner, a walk, or a night out with friends to jot down whatever brilliant thought hit me and is threatening to fly away, unexplored.
I also need a pen close at hand. Preferably one that can come apart into multiple pieces. If it can be put back together again as well, all the better.
When does Playing With Fire hit Amazon?
I'm hoping for a release date of September 9, 2013. This is, of course, dependent on how quickly the Amazon folks do whatever technological magic they need to do to make sure it's up and available on time, and perhaps even more dependent on the final editing drafts going as smoothly as possible, but barring any natural disasters, September 9 is the target date.
Thanks for taking the time to hang out with us today, J.R.! I'm very excited about Playing with Fire and can't wait to read it.
And Humble Readers, I have a little bonus for you. I'm giving away a copy of J.R.'s book The Lazy Postman this week! It's a fun read, and there just might be another give away with the second part of my interview with J.R. next month! To enter, just leave me a comment and tell me about the your most recent new-to-you author that you've started reading. The winner will be announced on August 28th!
And if you don't win the giveaway, you can always go to Amazon to get a copy for yourself!
Subscribe to:
Posts
(
Atom
)