January 29, 2006
The testicles of the west
Oh, in the news. Here, “spinster” is removed from the dictionary, which I think is sort of strange. More sensibly, it has now been removed from British Law and women who marry in that great kingdom no longer are classified as such on their marriage certificates. Fortunately I missed that change by a mere six months, and so I will be noted forever as a spinster in the annals of the Blackburn Lancashire Registry Office. Further, gorgeous, sophisticated, erudite and married to a British heartthrob. No silly, not me! It’s Gwyneth, profiled. I love her. James Frey aside, this article asks why “we” (by this “we” I do not include myself) are so enthralled by mems of other people’s misery. Obviously, it cites British agony mags like “Take a Break”, which I incidentally find to be one of the oddest periodicals ever to appeal. I saw one the other day with “My husband stapled me to our floor!!” on the front cover. A review of new Cold War texts (including one by Gaddis!) that serve to “cure Cold War nostalgia”.
It was a lovely weekend- out Friday night for Erin’s brilliant birthday karaoke. Saturday was the most gorgeous day ever, and we spent it basking in some Kensington Market sunshine. I wrote for two and a half hours today, and my story is growing growing in ways that absolutely fascinate me. I am learning about so much through this endeavour, about stuff I never even thought about before. Though I think Stuart is beginning to find it a bit dull that the story is the only thing I ever talk about.
Except Need for Speed on his Gamecube. Yesterday we started playing it together, but not competitively. When I drive into the wall and can’t turn around, Stu stops his car and waits for me to catch up. And sometimes he selects the Lincoln Navigator to race in, just so I can beat him fair and square.
January 27, 2006
Mrs. Harper
In recent photos, Stephen Harper is beginning to look more human. He also has cute children. So my heart warms. But I do find it very strange that his wife didn’t let it slip until this week that she is no longer known by her maiden name. I can understand why as a Prime Minister’s wife, she may find it simpler to share his name but it’s odd that she didn’t let anyone know about this change during her husband’s campaign. Perhaps I am just being paranoid, but I am worried this is just the first veil falling and we’re in the fast lane to Handmaid’s Tale.
January 23, 2006
Why I Voted… at all
I don’t begrudge the apathetic this election because it was a lame, dirty, boring and badly played game. I can pretty much say that today my vote meant nothing. Tomorrow we’ll have the same disjointed government, an opposition so obsessed with winning power back they’re not willing to run this country, except into the ground perhaps. Yawn. It’s all theatrics and war games, and there is nothing exciting about it. And perhaps if my polling station had not been across the street from my house, I mightn’t have even bothered going. Really. But of course I went.
I vote in elections because less than a century ago, my sex was not thought fit to do so. I can’t take a right for granted when presented in those terms, or turn my back upon it when women before me fought so bravely. And so when I vote, I vote as a woman first and foremost. I voted Liberal today, pretty much solely because they value reproductive rights and have a small hope of winning. Not very inspiring I know, but they didn’t really give me much to go on.
January 22, 2006
Queenly
I had $5 leftover on my book voucher, so after dinner last night with my Mom and Sis, Stu and I ducked into Bad Blue Bookstore and I purchased The Sea House by Esther Freud out of the bargain bin. So that was exciting. Also, now reading The Penelopiad by Margaret Atwood. The classics (Classics?) don’t normally interest me, which I will admit is one of my greatest flaws, but I thought the contemporary language might have the story appeal to me. And so far it’s working. In fact The Penelopiad has a great deal in common with Drabble’s The Red Queen, both written in modern voices by long dead women, famous for their husbands. I look forward to reading how the similarities diverge or continue.
A brilliant article here on Angela Carter, Japan, a Toronto Authors’ festival, and the expatriate writer, the writer as an outsider. Which of course is right up my alley.
January 19, 2006
Kama Reading Series Update
Wow. The reading tonight was amazing, and I am now in the market for Luck by Joan Barfoot, A Perfect Night to Go to China by David Gilmour, and The Lizard Cage by Karen Connelly. Oh Karen Connelly. What a phenomenal writer, and such a fascinating personality. Her reading had me literally on the edge of my seat, an entire audience gasping in relief. That takes power. I also really appreciated the dynamics of the reading (as well as the food and wine). All three writers stood out in their own right/write, they all really seemed to appreciate and respect each other, and were wonderful in three very distinct ways.
It is apparent that I am currently obsessed with words. Now reading non-fiction though- The Unthinkable Revolution in Iran for research purposes. And also enjoying poetry by Ken Babstock, who is visiting my class next week.
Currently: an undecided voter. Somebody woo me.
January 18, 2006
Since
I do love Carol Shields. First, Various Miracles is one of the best short story collections I’ve ever read. And her novels are really wonderful. I reread Small Ceremonies last spring, and was struck by much of Shields’ writing was about writing. I noticed this especially upon re-reading Unless, which in my way of the multitudinous superlative is the greatest book I’ve ever read. This book is about wifehood, mamahood, womanhood, but it’s also a how-to guide for aspiring novelists- it’s so much about language, words, names, how to write a sex scene (or at least how you will struggle to do so), how to occupy your characters, how to persist, the evils of the industry. Layers upon layers of richness.
January 18, 2006
Sugoi
I’ve been given a ticket to The Kama Reading Series tonight at the ROM. How exciting!
