Sunday, February 29, 2004

Wise Words

"I will find that special person who is wrong for me in just the right way"--Andrew Boyd, from his book Daily Afflictions, as quoted in quirkyalone by Sahsa Cagen

When you think about it, he's got a point. I mean, people these days are obsessed with wanting someone who's "right" for them. But how many of us are actually 100% right...?

Thursday, February 26, 2004

In Reality TV News

Finally. Meredith chose the right man.

The question is, (how long) will it last?

Wednesday, February 25, 2004

Damn.

Just when I'm trying to keep away from sugar. I didn't see it coming.

Are these in Canada?! Somebody let me know.

Checking myself...

And evaluating my dip into the blogging universe. Today's revelation...?:

A blog, like any other journal, can be a great vehicle for self-reflection.

I think as I get older I'm more careful about who I befriend. Past naivete has lead me into some unfortunate areas. I tend to be too eager to trust people.

As a human being, and especially as a woman, I need to be careful. I don't believe in forced friendship. Like love, I think it should come naturally. It can be strange when someone seems overly-eager for your adoration, yet you don't know them.

Maybe one day I'll re-post the source of this recent illumination. Until then...

Carry on.

Tuesday, February 24, 2004

Weirdness o' the day:

Um...No.

Contemplating Openness...

And realizing that I'm still somewhat closed.

This segment's blog consisted of a rant, now edited from its original format. Instead, I bring you this eyecandy in its place: Viggo and Denzel.

Good day.

Viva Realia!

On the teaching front:

Today I decided to stop feeling sorry about my student’s alphabet problems. We’ll continue to work on it. But in the meantime, I’m going to integrate some realia* into our lessons. This week, we’re working on how to fill out basic forms—i.e. library card applications, etc. I’m actually excited. My student was very, very pleased. I’m pretty sure she’s tired of having people write information for her all the time. (Things that she should have no problem with, like her own address, etc.)

*From Merriam-Webster online: “objects or activities used to relate classroom teaching to the real life especially of peoples studied” [ETA: Shouldn't that be "...especially of peoples studying"?]

Monday, February 23, 2004

"I *hate* COPIERS!!"

Said this afternoon by [a relative*]. She wasn't cursing the Xerox's latest innovation. Rather, we happened upon Michael Buble performing "The Summer Wind". (He was on Cityline, and absolutely adorable.)

I couldn't resist fueling the hate. I stated that I have a Sinatra compilation, and if I played Mr. B.'s tune as we watched, he'd match Ol' Blue Eyes note for note.

I didn't say much more, because my [relative] knows from music. (Conservatory training and all that.) I know when to quit. And yet...I still want to bake Michael some brownies.

Nevertheless, our chatter brought up an interesting issue. What is it with everyone sounding like someone else? I know sometimes we can't help it. After all, we're human. We come from each other. I made a recording of myself once. Girl + guitar...I got scared that I sounded like a Joni Mitchell wannabe. (And I'm not knocking Joni. It's just that the real thing is always better.) There's been some discussion in the fametracker forums regarding artists like Alicia Keys and other Neo Soul-ites. My questions are the same as other folks': Are these singers trying to get us to reminisce? Do they genuinely appreciate the artists/genres they're mimicking?

Or are they afraid to try something new?

* The exact identity of my relative has been edited out. I've decided to not discuss my family in great detail. @ least for now.

A-B-C/ Easy as 1-2-3/ Simple as...

Who the hell am I kidding? It's been a month, and I've been trying to teach my (ESL) student the North American alphabet. I don't know what I think I'm doing. We're not getting anywhere.

Don't worry. I'm not mad at her. It's me.

She's my first absolute beginner. I'm teaching her English literacy skills from scratch. Still I can't help feeling frustrated. I thought we would be further along than we are right now. And I know we could be. I know I could be teaching her things beyond the alphabet. Although her vocabulary skills are extremely limited, there are words that she knows, and yet...She doesn't know what they look like.

And so in many ways, it's my job to bridge the gap between the language that she already understands in one dimension, yet needs to recognize in another--the realm of reading and writing. Only then can we go beyond to focus on more difficult words.

It's a challenge that I find both intimidating and intriguing.

Sunday, February 22, 2004

So I call myself a writer...

But I haven't given you much to read. That's a shame, and it's about to change. Let's kick things off with a rant and e-q (email interview):

Know what bugs me about most Canadian women’s magazines? They don’t get it. We’re an intelligent, multiethnic bunch. Yet most Canadian publications—with offices located in the world’s most diverse city—present very monoethnic images on their pages. Not to mention that many seem Canadian in name and staff alone. From the celebrities to the designers, virtually every feature focuses on an American.

A while ago, a media organization launched a promotional campaign. The problem? It seems that when it comes to sales, Canadian periodicals can’t keep up with their foreign counterparts. Sure, Canadian magazines offer information on trends—what’s hot now, and what will be in the future. But Canadian readers are looking for more than that. We don’t want the same old same old. We want to hear about what’s hot at home. As I recently said in a letter to a woman’s monthly: “Canadians are proud of who they are. It’s time for the media to catch up.”

So where was I…?

Ah yes. Let me introduce you to marlo. I’ve been known to write and proofread articles for them. But that’s not why you should read this upcoming web publication. Marlo magazine talks to and about Canadians. It’s owned an operated by a Canadian. Not to mention the fact that the featured images reflect our country’s multicultural population.

Here's the 411 from the lady herself, founder and publisher, Joanne Brathwaite...

How long have you wanted to publish your own magazine?
Since high school. In college the bug really bit, and I knew it was just a matter of time before I made things happen.

What inspired you to create marlo?
The lack of magazines that focused on the needs/issues of women from all ethnicities. The fact that there weren’t ANY magazines on Canadian newsstands which predominantly featured ethnic models and “talent”.

What’s been your biggest challenge on this journey?
Finding content is always a challenge; but even bigger than that is to find a way to keep the magazine going without a drop of outside funding or advertising.

What do you see in marlo’s future?
Quarterly special print editions – perhaps summer patio guides, or fall or spring preview guides, the all-men issue… things like that. Or, um, Marlo TV – marlo-inspired segments produced by WTN or some other female-centric network.

What is/was the most difficult thing about starting a magazine?
Just to do it without a lick of publishing or magazine experience. To have a dream is one thing; to put it into motion despite criticism and odds and lack of support is something completely different.

What is the most rewarding…? (see previous question)
When people actually read marlo. When I get feedback from people saying that they love the magazine. When people subscribe. When they send our URL to a friend. When we put out another stellar issue. : ) The rewards far outweigh the drawbacks.

What advice would you give others who have a bright idea but are too afraid to get started?
Just do it. You’ll never know what will happen unless you try. Stop thinking and just do. It’s the best thing you’ll ever do for yourself.

What do you hope your readers get from reading marlo?
I hope they come away from an issue of marlo feeling like they learned something, or that they felt better about themselves because they realized one of my writers was going through a similar experience. I hope that they like it because it’s a magazine for women, about women, by women – just like them.