Saturday, October 31, 2009

from the "first night" dept.

I'm here. In Edmonton. On Hallowe'en.

The day began in Vancouver, where, despite a forecast of rain, it was actually a beautiful day. Sunny, blue skies and warm. Sigh.

I hung out in Deep Cove most of the day, and then headed to the airport for a late afternoon flight.

After an uneventful journey, I landed in Edmonton around 8pm. After picking up the rental car I drove to Trish and Graeme's home, not too far from downtown.

On the radio: Time Warp. Oddly appropriate.

Up first: working on my novel (day 1!), buying clothes for work Monday and perhaps dim sum.

The adventure has begun...

Cheers!

Friday, October 30, 2009

from the "I've heard this tune before" dept.

Old Man Winter Rides In Style

Well, it's time for another big change, even though these big changes no longer feel very big.

This is my last night in Vancouver for a while. And while my destination and new home for the next year isn't quite as distant as Guatemala or Ghana, Edmonton will surely be an adventure. Especially with old man winter set to pay a visit.

Also, it will be a medium-sized change going from the loosey-goosey world of tropical freelance writing to a structured job in a television newsroom.

But life is a series of adventures and a year in Edmonton is the next one.

It's funny that, after these past two weeks in Vancouver, I think that I will really miss this city. It's the first time I've ever felt that. But after 12 years here, I guess it does get into your blood.

And I'll be back for the Olympics. How could I miss that?

And with that, good night! The next post here will be from Edmonton. Please stay tuned!

Cheers!

Wednesday, October 28, 2009

from the "top of the clock" dept.

If you like television IDs (or Idents) have I found the blog for you!

IDENTS is an outstanding collection of great television design. Prepare to spend the next hour drooling!

Cheers!

Monday, October 26, 2009

from the "sands through the hour glass" dept.

"It was a dark and stormy night... "

As November 1st looms, so do many changes and challenges: A move from Guatemala to Edmonton, a new job, and the challenge of writing a 50,000 word novel. In a month.

Now, I have lots of experience with new places, faces and jobs. But penning a book concurrently is a whole new thing.

And why, you may ask, would I move Edmonton, start a new job and attempt to write a book all at the same time?

Blame NaNoWriMo – the National Novel Writing Month. Each November, NaNoWriMos take on the possible: hammering out a 50,000 word first draft of a novel. For most, November is usually a slower month, allowing folks the few hours needed per day to write an average of 1600 words.

Me? I'm starting a whole new life, which should force me to utilize my writing time for maximum benefit.

The characters and story are already alive in my head – and they're just waiting to get out. I'd unleash them right now – but that would be cheating. No. They'll have to stay cooped up in my cranium for another week.

What is the story? I can't tell you yet, because I'm not quite sure of the story arc. But it involves Lake Atitlan, a group of ex-pats, extraterrestrials and the end of the world. I can tell you the title: Tropical Depression (or: My Landlord Doesn't Take Ham).

If you're interested in joining me on this journey into madness, check out the NaNoWriMo website. You know you wanna...

Friday, October 23, 2009

from the "no news" dept.

In my new gig, I certainly never want to see a day with no news. How would you promote that? Tuuuhnnnniiighhhhhttt: Squat.

But if it were to happen, this is what it would look like:

Tuesday, October 20, 2009

from the "scrum-dilly-icious" dept.

Scene from: "So You Think You Can Fight"


From TV SPY:

The Heenes aren't the only ones cracking under the media pressure set off by the Balloon Boy hoax. Now it appears that the crush of media coverage has started to get to members of the Heene's neighborhood in Fort Collins, Colorado.

On Monday afternoon, a fight broke out when a neighborhood man, who was trying to navigate a road cluttered with news vans, got into a confrontation with a crew from Denver's Fox affiliate KDVR. As is to be expected, the confrontation and eventual wrestling match was all caught on tape.

The footage shows a bald, tattooed man, who has not yet been identified, arguing with Jon Bowman, a reporter for KDVR, and saying, "I don't like you guys. You're endangering my safety." The man then chases Byron Stewart, a KDVR photojournalist, around the Fox van. At this point, another unidentified man, wearing a yellow t-shirt, runs up and jumps on the angry neighbor's back.

Reports indicate that the second man is also a member of the neighborhood and not affiliated with any news outlet. Several photographers surrounded the skirmish between the two neighbors and at one point a man is heard saying, "Stop the cameras. We're winning."

After punches were thrown, members of the crowd moved in and broke up the fight.



Oh media, how I love you!

Saturday, October 17, 2009

from the "YVR arrivals" dept.

Welcome Home: Heavy Rainfall Warning

I'm back in Vancouver. Two weeks only. You know how to find me.

Cheers!

Wednesday, October 14, 2009

from the "ch-ch-changes" dept.

It's official: I'm leaving Guatemala. After nearly a year in the land of eternal summer, a job offer is pulling me back.

Not Guatemala

I'm heading to Edmonton on Oct 31. And on Monday Nov. 2, I start a one-year contract as a news promo producer with CBC. It'll be my first Prairie winter since 1996-1997. I'm scared.

The life change is already in progress. As I write this, I've done my final laps in the pool and I'm all packed. I leave San Pedro tomorrow (Thursday) for Antigua. And then Friday I fly from Guatemala City to Vancouver. I've got two weeks in Vancouver to get stuff ready. Then, as mentioned, I fly to Edmonton on Halloween.

Trick or treat?

Cheers!