My apologies, fellow blog reader, but to say I haven't been occupied during the past few weeks would be an understatement.
First, the big news: As of Canada Day (July 1st), 2012, I am now officially a published author. It's hard to believe that a guy, who has presumably used up his "15 minutes of fame" back in the 1990's when he was a competitive swimmer, decided to resurrect himself as someone who's penned a tome. Yet, here I am, on the cusp of turning 41 (Although, according to my dental insurance, I turned that age three months ago; someone typo'd my records.), having taken the plunge, and feeling brave enough to self-publish my National Novel Writing Month efforts from this past November. The result is a novel entitled, "Scarlet Siege."
The novel features a character I've been rattling around in my head since high school: a Toronto detective that has been somewhat accident prone; having been shot at, stabbed, and a few broken bones over his now 27-year career. In "Siege," he's taking a weekend off from his hectic job to attend a fan convention in Toronto. However, during the Opening Ceremonies, when its revealed one of the cast has opted not to attend again, three disgruntled fans take over the event, and demand the actor show up; otherwise, the captors will start pinging off attendees. The main character plots his strategy incognito with the advice of a friend from a previous case, his co-worker/partner -- who is developing personal feelings towards him -- that he converses with via text message, and the ghostly spectre of his assassinated fiancée. It's an interesting romp with nods to a personal fandom I share. The book is now available as an e-book and in paperback on Amazon.com and Amazon.co.uk. However, that wasn't the only thing that has kept me occupied in June.
While I was putting the finishing touches on "Scarlet Siege," I was writing the first draft of the second novel in the series, entitled "Barbadian Backlash." In this one -- which I'm hoping for a release later this year -- the main character and his now partner/girlfriend are on the trail of a criminal responsible for a string of break-and-enters; while at the same time, he is helping his aforementioned friend conduct research for an upcoming novel he's working on. The research interview has the main character thinking back to an investigation into the murder of his former partner down in Barbados. The hook is, this is the case where the main character first meets the woman he dated before his current partner/girlfriend. Plus, there's a little secret involving him and the Barbadian that his current partner doesn't know. Can the M.C. keep his secret quiet, while getting all of his ducks in a row? Tune in later this year to find out.
That's pretty much what's been occupying me for the past month; save for the start of a new Canadian pro football season. However, it has gotten me into thinking about using the season ending event as the backdrop for the third novel in the series; which, I hope to commence writing this coming November. An author's work is never done.
Until next time, the views may be from the outside, but I'm thrilled to be listed on Amazon.
Purchase the debut novel of Douglas J. McLeod, "Scarlet Siege" at:
http://amzn.to/LCCkOi for U.S. orders, or
http://amzn.to/NfmcQK for U.K. orders.
Monday, July 9, 2012
Friday, May 18, 2012
Amazon.com, Here I Come!
You know, I never really thought in my wildest dreams that anything I wrote would ever be published. Sure, there's these sporadic blog postings that I do, but in the three years that I have participated in National Novel Writing Month and its' sister writing challenge, Script Frenzy, I never once believed that I would actually get over whatever anxiety and lack of confidence I had regarding my writing and actually put a finished work out to the public masses. That is about to change.
This past November, I penned a literary adventure featuring my Toronto detective main character where he was planning on taking a short vacation to attend a fan convention in town. Of course, if I left it just at that, it would make for a pretty dull story. However, while at the convention, a situation arises and the festivities turns into a hostage situation, with my MC stuck within the fracas. During the situation, he keeps his partner at the Police Division posted of the developments while he seeks advice from an acquaintance he met on a previous case that's attending the convention too, and gets "spiritual" guidance from the ghost of his long-departed fiancee. It may seem a little far-fetched, but I believed it was a solid story. But the question was, did I want to leave this as is, or did I want to take the next step?
In the 5-1/2 months that followed, I would ask for a couple of friends to help go over it and see if there was any tweaking I could do. Unfortunately, they both ended up being dead ends. With a promotional code for self-publishing due to expire at the end of June, I said to myself, "Like the adage goes, 'If you want something done, do it yourself.'" That's exactly what I ended up doing. I began to go through my novel with a fine-toothed comb; suggesting revisions be made, filling possible plot holes, and just polishing my story so that it could actually pass as something that's not an amateur train wreck. I finished typing out the revisions yesterday, and after a couple of cosmetic tweaks to make it look a little more professional looking, I have sent it off to the self-publishing house for review.
During the process, I set myself a personal goal of having my novel available for sale on August 20th of this year; however, I do have the option of moving the release date up a good couple of months. Soon, my little work of fiction will be able to sale to the masses on amazon.com and my ambition of being a published novelist will come into fruition. Admittedly, I'm both nervous and excited at the same time. I'm not sure how well it will sell, but at least I can say to myself that I got over that hump and I did it.
Now, to finish the final planning before I start writing the second novel in the series a fortnight from now.
Until next time, the views may be from the outside, but soon you'll be able to see me listed as an author.
P.S. Buy a copy of "Scarlet Siege" when it does become available, please?
This past November, I penned a literary adventure featuring my Toronto detective main character where he was planning on taking a short vacation to attend a fan convention in town. Of course, if I left it just at that, it would make for a pretty dull story. However, while at the convention, a situation arises and the festivities turns into a hostage situation, with my MC stuck within the fracas. During the situation, he keeps his partner at the Police Division posted of the developments while he seeks advice from an acquaintance he met on a previous case that's attending the convention too, and gets "spiritual" guidance from the ghost of his long-departed fiancee. It may seem a little far-fetched, but I believed it was a solid story. But the question was, did I want to leave this as is, or did I want to take the next step?
In the 5-1/2 months that followed, I would ask for a couple of friends to help go over it and see if there was any tweaking I could do. Unfortunately, they both ended up being dead ends. With a promotional code for self-publishing due to expire at the end of June, I said to myself, "Like the adage goes, 'If you want something done, do it yourself.'" That's exactly what I ended up doing. I began to go through my novel with a fine-toothed comb; suggesting revisions be made, filling possible plot holes, and just polishing my story so that it could actually pass as something that's not an amateur train wreck. I finished typing out the revisions yesterday, and after a couple of cosmetic tweaks to make it look a little more professional looking, I have sent it off to the self-publishing house for review.
During the process, I set myself a personal goal of having my novel available for sale on August 20th of this year; however, I do have the option of moving the release date up a good couple of months. Soon, my little work of fiction will be able to sale to the masses on amazon.com and my ambition of being a published novelist will come into fruition. Admittedly, I'm both nervous and excited at the same time. I'm not sure how well it will sell, but at least I can say to myself that I got over that hump and I did it.
Now, to finish the final planning before I start writing the second novel in the series a fortnight from now.
Until next time, the views may be from the outside, but soon you'll be able to see me listed as an author.
P.S. Buy a copy of "Scarlet Siege" when it does become available, please?
Friday, April 20, 2012
Feeding Script Frenzy 2012
It's been a while since I've done an update for this (I know, 7 weeks since my last entry? WTF, HB?) But I have good reason for my absence... at least recently.
As most people know, every April I partake in the sister writing challenge to National Novel Writing Month, Script Frenzy. The objective is to write at least 100 pages of script within the 30 days of April. And this year, I originally set a high bar for myself. No, I wasn't going to write a second second of the sitcom I wrote in April 2011 (although, it would've been a good idea), but attempt to write a script that had some fandom implications to it.
Most people know that I'm a fan of the 1990's Canadian television series, "due South". And for the longest time, I felt the way the series was "wrapped up" in 1999 with the last half of the two-part episode entitled, "Call of the Wild", didn't really give it a proper send-off. So, my proposed mission was to write a Reunion movie to rectify all of the things that didn't sit well with me in the "Where Are They Now" montage at the end. I had a lot of ambition going into the project; however, I admit that I didn't properly prepare for the task at hand.
As a fan of the show for the past 15 years, I believed I knew enough to pen the script; I thought I would just have to watch a few episodes to refresh my memory of the different nuances of the characters, narratives, and dynamics that made the show what it was. But like the adage goes, I assumed too much, and ended up making an ass out of myself and the memory of the series. Although, it was more of what transpired as I sat down to actually start writing it on April Fool's Day. After polishing off the first six pages (I had given myself a goal range of between 180 and 240 pages since I was thinking of turning it into a two-part, four-hour made-for-TV movie), I sat there and said to myself, "HB, what the frak are you doing?" I tried to rationalize my mission, but I just couldn't do it. I wasn't "feeling the story." So, after a discussion with a dear friend of mine *waving towards the east coast of Australia*, I decided to shelve the project for an undetermined period of time. Does this mean I've given up on Script Frenzy 2012? Not on your life.
Instead, I decided to pen a different script altogether, and it is one that resonates with me on a more personal level. I decided to write a biopic about myself and my battles with problem gambling. I detailed my first memory of playing the lottery (buying Wintario tickets for the weekly Thursday night draws back in the 1970s), the memories of betting on Monday Night Football games with one of my 8th grade teachers, up to my introduction to the one-armed bandits here in Ontario. I also mentioned other facets in my life -- the stint as a competitive swimmer in the 1990s, and relationships I've had in the past with my grandmother and my current girlfriend. And it's all told in a one-on-one interview intersped with flashbacks to certain points in my 40-year history.
It harkens back to the first script I wrote during the 2010 edition of Script Frenzy when I detailed the events of my roommate's then recent drinking binge that sent him into the hospital for two weeks. It's emotionally raw, but it was something I felt I wanted to get out there.
As for my progress on this biopic script, I'd like to think I've done fairly well in scribing it; amassing 105 pages between April 2nd and now. I don't know how much more story I can squeeze out of the script, but I do know what to write for the ending. This past Wednesday I ventured to Woodbine Racetrack and filed for self-exclusion from all OLG facilities.
And that in itself, is the happy ending that I've been wanting to write for a very long time.
Until next time, the views may be from the outside, but I now have a clearer conscience.
As most people know, every April I partake in the sister writing challenge to National Novel Writing Month, Script Frenzy. The objective is to write at least 100 pages of script within the 30 days of April. And this year, I originally set a high bar for myself. No, I wasn't going to write a second second of the sitcom I wrote in April 2011 (although, it would've been a good idea), but attempt to write a script that had some fandom implications to it.
Most people know that I'm a fan of the 1990's Canadian television series, "due South". And for the longest time, I felt the way the series was "wrapped up" in 1999 with the last half of the two-part episode entitled, "Call of the Wild", didn't really give it a proper send-off. So, my proposed mission was to write a Reunion movie to rectify all of the things that didn't sit well with me in the "Where Are They Now" montage at the end. I had a lot of ambition going into the project; however, I admit that I didn't properly prepare for the task at hand.
As a fan of the show for the past 15 years, I believed I knew enough to pen the script; I thought I would just have to watch a few episodes to refresh my memory of the different nuances of the characters, narratives, and dynamics that made the show what it was. But like the adage goes, I assumed too much, and ended up making an ass out of myself and the memory of the series. Although, it was more of what transpired as I sat down to actually start writing it on April Fool's Day. After polishing off the first six pages (I had given myself a goal range of between 180 and 240 pages since I was thinking of turning it into a two-part, four-hour made-for-TV movie), I sat there and said to myself, "HB, what the frak are you doing?" I tried to rationalize my mission, but I just couldn't do it. I wasn't "feeling the story." So, after a discussion with a dear friend of mine *waving towards the east coast of Australia*, I decided to shelve the project for an undetermined period of time. Does this mean I've given up on Script Frenzy 2012? Not on your life.
Instead, I decided to pen a different script altogether, and it is one that resonates with me on a more personal level. I decided to write a biopic about myself and my battles with problem gambling. I detailed my first memory of playing the lottery (buying Wintario tickets for the weekly Thursday night draws back in the 1970s), the memories of betting on Monday Night Football games with one of my 8th grade teachers, up to my introduction to the one-armed bandits here in Ontario. I also mentioned other facets in my life -- the stint as a competitive swimmer in the 1990s, and relationships I've had in the past with my grandmother and my current girlfriend. And it's all told in a one-on-one interview intersped with flashbacks to certain points in my 40-year history.
It harkens back to the first script I wrote during the 2010 edition of Script Frenzy when I detailed the events of my roommate's then recent drinking binge that sent him into the hospital for two weeks. It's emotionally raw, but it was something I felt I wanted to get out there.
As for my progress on this biopic script, I'd like to think I've done fairly well in scribing it; amassing 105 pages between April 2nd and now. I don't know how much more story I can squeeze out of the script, but I do know what to write for the ending. This past Wednesday I ventured to Woodbine Racetrack and filed for self-exclusion from all OLG facilities.
And that in itself, is the happy ending that I've been wanting to write for a very long time.
Until next time, the views may be from the outside, but I now have a clearer conscience.
Friday, March 2, 2012
An Eye Opener About Your Morning Eye Opener
The following is an excerpt from a therapy journal I'm currently working on about Problem Gambling. With "Rrroll Up The Rrrim" currently ongoing at Tim Hortons, I thought I should probe a bit into some ignored statistics with the promotion.
--
--
Friday, March 2nd, 2012
I feel rather conflicted over a current promotion.
One of my favourite retailers, a coffee shop that happens to
have a location a mere 2-minute walk from my apartment building, is doing their
annual promotion where if you purchase certain sizes of hot beverages you
receive a contest cup that enables you a chance to win food prizes, gift cards,
or more tangible items. This year’s promotion, the bigger prizes include
digital cameras, camping equipment, 3D televisions, and cars. The part that I
raise a quandary over is something my girlfriend questioned about at the start
of this year’s promotion.
She raised the concern that since to obtain one of these
contest cups is to make an actual purchase of a hot beverage – the cost ranging
anywhere between $1.40 to just over $4; depending on the size and type of drink
you’re ordering – that this could be constituted as a form of gambling. At
first, I blew it off; thinking that it’s just an added incentive for those who
go to the establishment to buy a coffee or hot chocolate. However, the more I
think about it, in essence, it is a game of chance.
Within the advertising, they do mention the odds that your
contest cup will be a winner: 1-in-6. But with any game of chance, the ability
to actually score a winning cup is completely random. There is no absolute
guarantee that you will obtain a winning cup within your first 6 purchases.
What’s more, some of the prizes they do offer is a “free donut”, which could
also be redeemed for a free cookie or muffin should the lucky individual choose
to do so. This category encompasses 11.75 million prizes, but here’s the catch:
while people are paying $1.40 and up for their beverage, the usual cost for a
donut, cookie, or muffin ranges from 95 cents all the way to $1.16. So while
you might consider yourself lucky to walk away with a sweet treat, your
winnings actually cost less than your original purchase. In short, you’re
losing on a comparative basis while the company is making a small trade-off
profit.
However, there is a possibility where a player could make a
minute gain and score one of the 35.25 million “free coffee or latte” cups that
enable the possessor to redeem for any type of hot beverage the chain offers in
any size. This means there is the chance someone could pay $1.40 for a small
coffee, find out they’re a winner, and then return in a future visit and walk
out with a $4 large Mocha Latte for free, like I happened to last night. It
sounds enticing, but let us evaluate this on a grander scale.
Even though the promotion touts 47 million food prizes, they
are just a small bone compared to what consumers could truly aspire for: the
gift cards, digital cameras, camping equipment, 3D televisions, and cars. If
you were to take the number of prizes offered amongst these 5 groups that
amounts to 31,140 prizes combined. A reasonable prize pool in itself, but
remember, this discounts the aforementioned 47 million food prizes and the fact
that the overall odds are 1-in-6. If you were to remove the in-restaurant edible
items, you would have to recalibrate the odds. What most consumers tend to
ignore is the fact that throughout the contest’s reach of all of Canada and
some parts of the United States, there are the total of over 285 million cups
available to be “in play” during this promotion; OVER 285 MILLION. Basing that
number with the “Tier 2” prizes, your actual odds of walking away with a
non-food prize is actually 1-in-9,180 approximately. Feel lucky now?
Regardless, people will still flock to the chain during the
promotion. Primarily because they enjoy the coffee, but also the enticement of
winning a prize is there. However, if people really knew the odds of winning
something other than a free coffee or donut, they might think twice about
plunking down a couple bucks for their morning Joe. As for me, I think I will
curtail the impulse to venture over frequently during the promotion. Besides,
factoring in the free coffee I won last night, my record is 1-for-8 so far this
year. Those expenditures add up after a while.
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
Thoughts about Valentine's Day, 2012
Today is a day where some people look forward to on their calendars; whereas, others tend to dread it from the moment the daily calendar switches over for the brief 24-hour period.
In recent years, I have been one of the people in the latter category when it comes to St. Valentine's Day. For a better part of the past decade, I've been part of a personal and emotional embargo whenever the date February 14th comes around. I've had a stigma where I didn't think there was anyone out there who would be willing to accept my heart for what it was; a battered and bruised organ based on the hardships I've faired in previous relationships. For the majority of women I have been involved with in the past, for the most part they usually end our relationship because they had found someone new, or there was some other guy waiting in the wings whom the lady had eyes for. It is because of this why I had been hesitant for so long to enter into another relationship. That all changed on a Monday last October.
It's funny how some things work sometimes. I had dated women online previously, and for the most part, things worked out great, but eventually, the relationship would end in the same fashion as always: I would be ditched in favour of someone else. There was a couple exceptions to this where it was a mutual decision by both of us to part ways. Both of these splits were difficult because with one, I was engaged to them for a short period; the other would no longer be amongst us within 2 years after the split (health reasons). It was after the second mutual split -- and her passing -- where I was in a downard spiral, and while I had attempted a couple relationships after, my head and heart were never fully in sync with one another.
Fast forward to this past autumn where I first started chatting with a remarkable young woman from a city 130 miles west of yours truly. She had observed me online through my Twitter feed for months after I had posted my account name on the National Novel Writing Month message forums. I don't know what took me so long to acknowledge her eventually, but had I known back in November 2010 that I do now, I would not have waited so long to talk to her. Once I did, it started to spread somewhat quickly; like a brushfire. Our tweets became texts which would eventually evolve into instant messaging. However, the coup de grace was that aforementioned Monday last October.
Monday, October 17th, 2011 to be precise. I would take a huge leap of faith and traverse the 130 miles to meet this young woman and spend the day with her. She was somewhat of a shy person at first; probably as nervous as I was because she too was taking a risk on that day to meet a guy she had only been talking to online. Regardless, we would spend the day walking along the banks of the winding river within her city, enjoying a beverage at a location of our favourite coffee shop chain, and just appreciating each other's company. While I decided to take things slow, I saw there was potential; there was something in the back of my head that thought she was a very special woman.
We would meet up twice more in November during National Novel Writing Month, and it was at that point, I began to become more comfortable around her. So much so, that I began to develop feelings towards her; feelings I hadn't felt for anyone in a very long time. Admittedly, I was hesitant because I was unsure if they were mutual. However, after spending a good chunk of December without seeing her (and going through my own personal demons at the time; of which she's been a staunch supporter in my battle to heal myself from them), when I saw her over New Year's, I decided to throw all caution to the wind and tell her how I felt. While she suspected they were brewing within me, she did not share them mutually at first; an admission I completely understood. But while most guys would take it as a slap in the face, I remained committed to my vow.
As 2012 started, it would be weeks until we saw each other again. Admittedly, I began to have doubts about whether I was a fool for professing my feelings towards the young lady. Had I scared her off? Would they ever be mutual? The hardest part was not only the unknowing of whether she felt the same way for me as I did her, but would I ever see her again. Then, Cupid started to poke his head around and when the calendar changed to February, I would learn that she and I would see each other again. Upon hearing the news, my feelings of doubt began to melt away and what I had felt at the end of 2011 came bubbling back, but the uncertainty was still there. Was it still mutual?
I often joke about the day we were reunited: Super Bowl Sunday. To this day I shake my head over the fact that during the big game, advertisers in the U.S. paid $3.5 Million for a 30-second commercial to hype their wares. While a truckload of money might have been a sound investment to them, they could not have compared to a simple message that was scribed with a turquoise fountain pen on a sheet of journal paper that had made the previous 3-1/2 months all the worthwhile.
So today, it is our first Valentine's Day "together", and while she might not approve of the method of how I scribed this little "love note", I just have to come right out and say it...
My dearest Jen,
For nearly the past 4 months, you have seen me at my highest of highs, and my lowest of lows. You have been and continue to be a wonderful girlfriend, confidante, and best friend. And while, I know you have observed my faults, I vow to you to continue to battle through them, and still do my best to be the best boyfriend that I can possibly be.
In that short time, you have become my "raison d'être", and I can not imagine a day in my life since we first met without you in it in some capacity. You have helped the Leaf fan that has been buried deep within my psyche to come out and embrace the Blue and White again. (Although, around my roommate, I still have to put up the Sens facade.)
I guess what I'm trying to say is my feelings towards you when I professed it at the start of 2012 not only have remained, but have grown even more. That's why I am thankful to be "spending" my Valentine's Day with you.
I love you, Jen. Now, and for as long as you're willing to let me.
Love,
Doug
Happy Valentine's Day, everyone.
In recent years, I have been one of the people in the latter category when it comes to St. Valentine's Day. For a better part of the past decade, I've been part of a personal and emotional embargo whenever the date February 14th comes around. I've had a stigma where I didn't think there was anyone out there who would be willing to accept my heart for what it was; a battered and bruised organ based on the hardships I've faired in previous relationships. For the majority of women I have been involved with in the past, for the most part they usually end our relationship because they had found someone new, or there was some other guy waiting in the wings whom the lady had eyes for. It is because of this why I had been hesitant for so long to enter into another relationship. That all changed on a Monday last October.
It's funny how some things work sometimes. I had dated women online previously, and for the most part, things worked out great, but eventually, the relationship would end in the same fashion as always: I would be ditched in favour of someone else. There was a couple exceptions to this where it was a mutual decision by both of us to part ways. Both of these splits were difficult because with one, I was engaged to them for a short period; the other would no longer be amongst us within 2 years after the split (health reasons). It was after the second mutual split -- and her passing -- where I was in a downard spiral, and while I had attempted a couple relationships after, my head and heart were never fully in sync with one another.
Fast forward to this past autumn where I first started chatting with a remarkable young woman from a city 130 miles west of yours truly. She had observed me online through my Twitter feed for months after I had posted my account name on the National Novel Writing Month message forums. I don't know what took me so long to acknowledge her eventually, but had I known back in November 2010 that I do now, I would not have waited so long to talk to her. Once I did, it started to spread somewhat quickly; like a brushfire. Our tweets became texts which would eventually evolve into instant messaging. However, the coup de grace was that aforementioned Monday last October.
Monday, October 17th, 2011 to be precise. I would take a huge leap of faith and traverse the 130 miles to meet this young woman and spend the day with her. She was somewhat of a shy person at first; probably as nervous as I was because she too was taking a risk on that day to meet a guy she had only been talking to online. Regardless, we would spend the day walking along the banks of the winding river within her city, enjoying a beverage at a location of our favourite coffee shop chain, and just appreciating each other's company. While I decided to take things slow, I saw there was potential; there was something in the back of my head that thought she was a very special woman.
We would meet up twice more in November during National Novel Writing Month, and it was at that point, I began to become more comfortable around her. So much so, that I began to develop feelings towards her; feelings I hadn't felt for anyone in a very long time. Admittedly, I was hesitant because I was unsure if they were mutual. However, after spending a good chunk of December without seeing her (and going through my own personal demons at the time; of which she's been a staunch supporter in my battle to heal myself from them), when I saw her over New Year's, I decided to throw all caution to the wind and tell her how I felt. While she suspected they were brewing within me, she did not share them mutually at first; an admission I completely understood. But while most guys would take it as a slap in the face, I remained committed to my vow.
As 2012 started, it would be weeks until we saw each other again. Admittedly, I began to have doubts about whether I was a fool for professing my feelings towards the young lady. Had I scared her off? Would they ever be mutual? The hardest part was not only the unknowing of whether she felt the same way for me as I did her, but would I ever see her again. Then, Cupid started to poke his head around and when the calendar changed to February, I would learn that she and I would see each other again. Upon hearing the news, my feelings of doubt began to melt away and what I had felt at the end of 2011 came bubbling back, but the uncertainty was still there. Was it still mutual?
I often joke about the day we were reunited: Super Bowl Sunday. To this day I shake my head over the fact that during the big game, advertisers in the U.S. paid $3.5 Million for a 30-second commercial to hype their wares. While a truckload of money might have been a sound investment to them, they could not have compared to a simple message that was scribed with a turquoise fountain pen on a sheet of journal paper that had made the previous 3-1/2 months all the worthwhile.
So today, it is our first Valentine's Day "together", and while she might not approve of the method of how I scribed this little "love note", I just have to come right out and say it...
My dearest Jen,
For nearly the past 4 months, you have seen me at my highest of highs, and my lowest of lows. You have been and continue to be a wonderful girlfriend, confidante, and best friend. And while, I know you have observed my faults, I vow to you to continue to battle through them, and still do my best to be the best boyfriend that I can possibly be.
In that short time, you have become my "raison d'être", and I can not imagine a day in my life since we first met without you in it in some capacity. You have helped the Leaf fan that has been buried deep within my psyche to come out and embrace the Blue and White again. (Although, around my roommate, I still have to put up the Sens facade.)
I guess what I'm trying to say is my feelings towards you when I professed it at the start of 2012 not only have remained, but have grown even more. That's why I am thankful to be "spending" my Valentine's Day with you.
I love you, Jen. Now, and for as long as you're willing to let me.
Love,
Doug
Happy Valentine's Day, everyone.
Thursday, November 10, 2011
A Rant About Pop Culture Glorifying Serious Issues
Currently, I am in the midst of National Novel Writing Month where participants attempt to scribe a 50,000-word novel within the 30 days of November. As a side project, I am also keeping a journal of my thoughts throughout the month. Below is an entry I just completed for this journal. -- D_H
7:22 p.m. – Tonight’s agenda: bask in hitting 40,000 words in 10 days, suffer indigestion from leftover pasta, and bitch about a local television station broadcasting a movie pertaining to a franchise that is the bane of all existence.
Also, looking back in the twenty years that have come and gone since I experienced those feelings of distraught, I realize all of the things I wouldn’t have accomplished during that span. I wouldn’t have graduated from college. I wouldn’t have been a champion swimmer or a former Canadian record holder; my classification for the 800-metre freestyle, if you’re trying to look it up. I wouldn’t have been engaged once; although, I will admit we rushed into that – I’ve learned from my mistake there. And most importantly of all in the present day: I would not be the crazy writer that I am, and I would not have Amy in my life.
It is because of all of that I am thankful I am still alive and kicking today. Stephenie Meyer might have utilized the emotional pain many teens and young adults suffer as a way to sell books and movies. But for this writer who has endured his share in his life, trying to cash in on that mental anguish is an insult to me and all of those who struggle with depression and mental health issues every single day. Think about that the next time you go to the theatres next week to see the movie based on the first half of her fourth novel.
7:22 p.m. – Tonight’s agenda: bask in hitting 40,000 words in 10 days, suffer indigestion from leftover pasta, and bitch about a local television station broadcasting a movie pertaining to a franchise that is the bane of all existence.
As I was watching the 6 o’clock news on the aforementioned
channel – as I like to do on weeknights – I witnessed a commercial that could
pretty much explain why I have a sudden urge to regurgitate my dinner. The
commercial was for the station’s broadcast premiere of the first movie in that
novel series about the sparkly vampires.
Now, I have nothing against movie adaptations of novels.
Many of those within the TONaNo community are die-hard fans of that novel
series about “the boy who lived” wizard. However, when it comes to the work of
one Stephenie Meyer, the concept that people would be so interested in such emo
crap is completely foreign to me. Then again, the whole notion of Justin Bieber’s
existence and all of his “Beliebers” is something that should be killed with
fire too. In fact, I wouldn’t be surprised if the Beliebers are some of these “Twi-tards”
as well. Personally, I would prefer if they would blow hard on my cock, but
since most of them are minors, and the whole scandal at Penn State fresh in
everyone’s mind, I really refrain from making such a suggestion.
Nevertheless, I just find all of this fascination about
sparkly vampires, werewolves, a suicidal brunette and all of this emo and angst
to be unnecessary. Does that make me hypocrite for preferring all of the fans
of the boy wizard genre over this malarkey? Most likely it does. But the way I
figure, Meyer’s novel series almost glorifies teen angst to levels that makes
depression and suicide – plot points in her series – socially acceptable. I
hate to break it to you, Miss Stephenie, but trying to cash in on the dark
depths of mental illness is not acceptable to yours truly. Depression and
suicide are very serious matters and require for some dialogue between the
sufferer and a friend, parent, or licensed professional. You are glorifying an
issue that affects people of all ages.
I guess my anger about the matter stems from the fact that
when I was a young adult, I’ve contemplated committing suicide myself. I was
lost, confused, and fearful of what lied ahead in my near future, so I thought
about overdosing on prescription medication and doing what I felt at the time
was “the world a big favour.” But the fact of the matter is I soon realized all
of those I would leave behind should I no longer be amongst the living. There
was my family, especially my grandmother, and what few friends I did have. They
would be the ones who would have no other option but to pick up the pieces of
what was left of my shattered life. It was an ordeal I could not allow them to
handle.Also, looking back in the twenty years that have come and gone since I experienced those feelings of distraught, I realize all of the things I wouldn’t have accomplished during that span. I wouldn’t have graduated from college. I wouldn’t have been a champion swimmer or a former Canadian record holder; my classification for the 800-metre freestyle, if you’re trying to look it up. I wouldn’t have been engaged once; although, I will admit we rushed into that – I’ve learned from my mistake there. And most importantly of all in the present day: I would not be the crazy writer that I am, and I would not have Amy in my life.
It is because of all of that I am thankful I am still alive and kicking today. Stephenie Meyer might have utilized the emotional pain many teens and young adults suffer as a way to sell books and movies. But for this writer who has endured his share in his life, trying to cash in on that mental anguish is an insult to me and all of those who struggle with depression and mental health issues every single day. Think about that the next time you go to the theatres next week to see the movie based on the first half of her fourth novel.
Wednesday, October 5, 2011
Rant: Suffering from Election Burnout
Somebody stop the campaign bus, I want to get off. Actually, not only do I want to hop off the bus, I want to set the damn thing on fire.
Tomorrow, those of us living in Ontario are set to go to the polls to elect our new provincial government. To say that I've had enough of all of this voting is an understatement.
Allow me to explain: last October, Toronto residents were sent to the ballot box to elect a new municipal government. As a result, we ended up electing the hack-and-slash, Jabba the Hutt wannabe, Rob Ford who's administration is now planning on decimating city services to balance the upcoming budget. Had I known things like libraries, the TTC, and the Toronto Police were about to become former shells of themselves, I'd have voted for George Smitherman instead.
Fast forward a few months later, and the yahoos up on Parliament Hill told us to vote for another new federal government; the sixth one in the past seven years. Granted, this time around Canadians voted for a majority; however, considering that Stephen Harper's Conservatives won and are currently pushing through Bill C-32 where the online privacy of Canadians is at risk, I'm not too thrilled with this possible Big Brother philosophy. And should the Feds be reading this or hacking into my computer, the stash of porn and lifted copyrighted pictures of celebrities on here are my roommate's. We just happen to share the same computer.
Which brings us to tomorrow when the residents of Ontario will be deciding who gets sent to Queen's Park. For those keeping score, that's three elections within the past twelve months. Sure, they've all been for different levels of government, but quite frankly, I've been exhausted with all of the campaigning, the mudslinging TV ads, and the phone calls canvassing for my support. And since we're on the topic of those phone calls, I've got something to get off my chest.
Now, correct me if I'm wrong, but since we live in a democratic society, isn't one of the benefits is voting via a secret ballot? That means, who I decide to be my next elected official is my choice and is between myself and the slip of paper I mark down anonymously. Then, why in the bluest of blue hells are all of these candidates' offices cold calling prospective voters and asking who they've decided to vote for, if anyone at all? The biggest culprit of this is the offices for my local Liberal candidte, who also happens to be the incumbant. Do they really want to know ahead of time? And, if I had admitted that I had already made up my mind and it was not them, would they be do a hard sell in an attempt to pursuade me to change my vote? I'll admit I can be swayed from time to time, but anyone who knows me knows I do not appreciate things being shoved down my throat. I lied to the caller and said that I was undecided; since then, the calls by this candidate's office hasn't stopped. Tomorrow, my voice will be heard, and whether or not I vote for this person is my choice. If they can't deal with it, then that's their damn luck.
The only problem is, early speculation has this election resulting in a minority government. If what the previous seven years in Ottawa have been any indication, the elected Opposition will sabotage the newly formed government partway into their mandate with one of these "non-confidence" votes and we'll be going through all of this bullshit all over again. I'm just sick and tired of all of these elections, and I'd at least like to have a breather for a while.
I have made up my mind, and on October 6th I plan to vote for... the Leafs and Canadiens on CBC at 7 p.m.
Until next time, the views may be from the outside, but no one better get between me and hockey.
Tomorrow, those of us living in Ontario are set to go to the polls to elect our new provincial government. To say that I've had enough of all of this voting is an understatement.
Allow me to explain: last October, Toronto residents were sent to the ballot box to elect a new municipal government. As a result, we ended up electing the hack-and-slash, Jabba the Hutt wannabe, Rob Ford who's administration is now planning on decimating city services to balance the upcoming budget. Had I known things like libraries, the TTC, and the Toronto Police were about to become former shells of themselves, I'd have voted for George Smitherman instead.
Fast forward a few months later, and the yahoos up on Parliament Hill told us to vote for another new federal government; the sixth one in the past seven years. Granted, this time around Canadians voted for a majority; however, considering that Stephen Harper's Conservatives won and are currently pushing through Bill C-32 where the online privacy of Canadians is at risk, I'm not too thrilled with this possible Big Brother philosophy. And should the Feds be reading this or hacking into my computer, the stash of porn and lifted copyrighted pictures of celebrities on here are my roommate's. We just happen to share the same computer.
Which brings us to tomorrow when the residents of Ontario will be deciding who gets sent to Queen's Park. For those keeping score, that's three elections within the past twelve months. Sure, they've all been for different levels of government, but quite frankly, I've been exhausted with all of the campaigning, the mudslinging TV ads, and the phone calls canvassing for my support. And since we're on the topic of those phone calls, I've got something to get off my chest.
Now, correct me if I'm wrong, but since we live in a democratic society, isn't one of the benefits is voting via a secret ballot? That means, who I decide to be my next elected official is my choice and is between myself and the slip of paper I mark down anonymously. Then, why in the bluest of blue hells are all of these candidates' offices cold calling prospective voters and asking who they've decided to vote for, if anyone at all? The biggest culprit of this is the offices for my local Liberal candidte, who also happens to be the incumbant. Do they really want to know ahead of time? And, if I had admitted that I had already made up my mind and it was not them, would they be do a hard sell in an attempt to pursuade me to change my vote? I'll admit I can be swayed from time to time, but anyone who knows me knows I do not appreciate things being shoved down my throat. I lied to the caller and said that I was undecided; since then, the calls by this candidate's office hasn't stopped. Tomorrow, my voice will be heard, and whether or not I vote for this person is my choice. If they can't deal with it, then that's their damn luck.
The only problem is, early speculation has this election resulting in a minority government. If what the previous seven years in Ottawa have been any indication, the elected Opposition will sabotage the newly formed government partway into their mandate with one of these "non-confidence" votes and we'll be going through all of this bullshit all over again. I'm just sick and tired of all of these elections, and I'd at least like to have a breather for a while.
I have made up my mind, and on October 6th I plan to vote for... the Leafs and Canadiens on CBC at 7 p.m.
Until next time, the views may be from the outside, but no one better get between me and hockey.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
