Day 77: Hitting a snag

My Project: 365 Creative Writing Prompts

Day 77: Hitting a snag

It’s day 77 of this writing project and some of you might have wondered what this is all about. What it’s about is simple, I have a list of 365 tasks. Tasks such as:

- The Professor: Write about a teacher who has influenced you

- Mirror, Mirror: What if your mirror started talking to you

- The Stars: Take inspiration from the night sky

- Fire Starters: Write about building a fire

- Fashion: Write about a fashion model

While some tasks work out, these five definitely did not.

For instance …

I can’t write about a teacher who influenced me because no teacher ever has. Actors, singers, and writers have influenced me, but definitely not teachers.

What if a mirror started talking to me … holy crap, I think I’d get a coronary right there on the spot.

Taking inspiration from the night sky … not really working for me. I see the same stars every night (everybody does) and in the event that something exciting is going on, like a super moon or a meteor shower, I miss it. If something is going on in the sky, the sky is packed with clouds.

Building a fire … I’ve never built a fire and if I were to start now the superintendent and the management of my building wouldn’t be too pleased.

Writing about a fashion model … give me a break. I have zero interest in fashion models.

So, there you have it. Even though these writing tasks are supposed to help to get the creative juices flowing, there are topics that just don’t work for me.

Yesterday’s task was to write about a dragon. Well, that didn’t work either. What I know about dragons would fit on a postage stamp.

Today’s exercise was geography: write about a country you’ve never visited and why you would never go there. Seriously, if I was to write about such a country (countries actually) I would offend quite a few people.

So, I’ll do the next best thing. Tomorrow’s task is: write about countries you’ve never visited but would like to. I can most certainly do that.

Stay tuned …

Now, in addition, I’ve taken on posting daily calendar quotes. These are not my ideas, these are quotes that I get from my 2018 calendar. 

Today’s quote:

Despite the many images of cats lapping up milk, most cats are lactose intolerant.

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Day 46: Business before pleasure

My Project: 365 Creative Writing Prompts

Day 46: Business before pleasure

I don’t know if you’ve noticed, but my project has taken a bit of a beating lately. When I first started out, I wrote every day, but over the past week or so, my project has been on the backburner.

That is not to say that I haven’t been writing. On the contrary, I’ve been writing quite a bit, but for clients. Paying clients. And you know how it goes, business before pleasure.

The client in question was a travel agent who wanted to draw attention to various European cities. As such, I visited London, Ronda, Barcelona, Sicily, Wallis, and Geneva. My visits were online, of course, researching various websites for information on these cities.

And you cannot imagine the work involved to write a 600-word article. But I did it. I researched until I was blue in the face, typed until my fingers were numb and in the process learned all about what there is to see and do in these various cities. With the exception of London, I visited these places personally, but it was so long ago, I can’t remember the details.

I do remember Barcelona though. I was only a teenager when I was there with my family and their friends, but my visit to the Sagrada Familia was one of those memorable moments that stayed with me.

Having visited Madrid, Malaga, Valencia, Seville and Granada, we had our fill of churches, cathedrals and other historic buildings such as the Alhambra. When we arrived in Barcelona and Mom suggested a visit to the Sagrada Familia, we thought … great, another church. Dad said as much with an exasperated “Haven’t we seen enough churches?”  

“Apparently the Sagrada Familia is quite special,” Mom said. “It’s unlike any other church.”

Oh, and it was special alright. Mom was quite right, the church was unlike any other church. After we stood in line for a good 20 minutes, in the baking hot sun I might add, we paid the fee to enter the church. We pushed open the heavy door and … we stood under the clear blue sky. What the heck?

Par explanation … back in those days, the Sagrada Familia wasn’t finished. It still isn’t finished, but back then there was no church to speak off. There was a church façade, but very little else. There was no floor, no windows, no pews, no altar, and most importantly … no ceiling. We felt horribly cheated.

But back to my writing days.

Another job that kept me busy was translating. Dutch to English, Spanish to English, French to Dutch, and German to English. Some of these works were enjoyable, others were a bit of a pain in the butt. 

There was this one particular job where a love-smitten man wanted a 1700-word blog post translated about some skanky saxophone player. I nearly gave up on the whole thing.

But all these were paying jobs, and since money is welcome here, I kept plodding along. 

Right now I’m on a break. There is no work available. However, that can change tomorrow and then off we go again.

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Power outage

My Project: 365 Creative Writing Prompts

Power outage

Those who follow my 365 creative writing prompts project might have noticed that I skipped a day. There is, of course, a perfectly good reason.

The condo building where I live had no power yesterday. We received a notice last week that the hydro company would perform work and as such the building would be without power between 9:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m.

In preparation of the upcoming power cut, we got up early so we could shower. In our building, no electricity also means no water as the booster pumps don’t get the power they need to push the water to all 16 floors.

We were having breakfast when at 9:15 the motor of the fridge shuddered to a halt and the filter of the fish tank stopped purring. Suddenly it was so quiet.

Not for the first time I wondered how people in the olden days managed. Without power, we couldn’t make a second cup of coffee, couldn’t do the dishes, couldn’t vacuum, couldn’t watch TV or listen to the radio, couldn’t cook or bake, couldn't go on the computer because battery power is limited and there was no Wi-Fi.

We kept busy with this and that, had lunch and then took a nap. When there’s nothing to do, one might as well sleep.

And then I got a brilliant idea … we could go to the bowling alley. The alley would have power, so we could play a couple of games and if I took my laptop with me, I could check my emails and do some work. So off we went.

After five games I pulled my laptop out of its bag and prepared for an hour or two of work when I noticed that the computer was going to do some updates first. 

As it turned out, I didn’t do a stitch of work because those updates took no less than 1,5 hours. By the time the updates were done, it was time to go.

As we walked home, we could see from afar lights in our condo building. What a beautiful sight that was … the power was back on. 

I’m so happy I was born in the 1900s and not in the 1800s. I don’t think I would have like it.

To get back on track, I will post again later on today.

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Day 24: The 8 best beauty investments of all time

My Project: 365 Creative Writing Prompts

Day 24: Give advice

The 8 best beauty investments of all time

Even though everybody agrees that real beauty comes from the inside, looking good on the outside is important too.  If it wasn’t, the cosmetics companies wouldn’t be a multi-million dollar industry.  Some visit a spa every so often, others make regular visits to the beauty salon, while others still try every miracle product that comes on the market.  Just what are the 10 best beauty investments of all time?

1. Moisturizer

If you want to keep your skin soft and supple and keep wrinkles at bay, a moisturizer suitable for your skin type is imperative.  A moisturizer will feed your skin the nutrients it needs and slow down the aging process.

2. Sunscreen

Nothing ages you faster than the sun, so you should make sure to wear this all year long.  Look for one that provides broad-spectrum protection against UVA and UVB rays.

3. Dermatological check-Up

Any untreated condition is only going to get worse, especially acne, varicose veins, or in the worst case scenario, early signs of skin cancer. Invest in regular checkups to stay ahead of any potential problems.

4. Good haircut

A good haircut makes hair easier to maintain and won't require as many damaging styling products to make it look good.

5. Hand lotion and cuticle cream

You don't need a specially formulated cream for your hands - any rich body lotion will work -- but you do need to make sure to moisturize your hands and cuticles often. Your hands give away even more about your age than your face.

6. Fresh fruit & vegetables

No matter how many vitamins and supplements you may take, nothing can replace the nutrients you can get from food. Try organic produce to ensure you're not eating additives you're not expecting. Plus, seasonal produce will not only taste better but will ensure you're eating food at its height of freshness and nutritional value.

7. Gym membership, bicycle, or fitness equipment

Exercise not only keeps you fit and healthy but relieves stress, the effects of which can take a huge toll on your skin and cause premature aging.  The Mayo Clinic recommends 30 to 60 minutes of moderately intense physical activity a few times a week.

8. Comfortable mattress and pillow

The old adage about getting your beauty sleep is true; you should strive to get at least 7 hours each night. Since many of us have crazy schedules that make it hard to get your hours in, wasting an hour tossing and turning on an uncomfortable bed will only set you back.

Invest in yourself. It won’t be long before you’ll experience the benefits.

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Day 17: Pick a word from a dictionary and write about it - trainer

My Project: 365 Creative Writing Prompts

Day 17: Pick a word from a dictionary and write about it - trainer

Okay, I encountered a bit of a snag here ... I don’t own a dictionary. So I turned to Google and asked to present me with a random dictionary word. Google came up with ‘Trainer’. This word suited me just fine as it gives me the opportunity to tell you about the time I took my dog to obedience school.

My dog was called Laura, a Belgian Shephard and while a beautiful animal, she was not very obedient. Taking her for a walk was nothing to look forward to. She would strain on her leach, the leather cutting into my hand, and I would hardly be able to keep up with her. And heaven forbid when she saw a cat or a bird. She would take off like an arrow from a bow, dragging me behind her.

When a neighbor suggested obedience school I made inquiries and Laura was accepted for the September/October class.

The first Saturday afternoon we showed up at the school, which was a large grassy field with a pavilion, I was surprised at the attendance. There must have been 60 men and women there, accompanied by German Shepherds, Labradors, Border Collies, Golden Retrievers, French Poodles, Dobermans, and an assortment of mixed breeds.

While the owners made conversation, the dogs sat next to them, lay down on the grass, or tried to get acquainted with each other.

At precisely 3:00 p.m. one of the trainers called the gathering to order and requested them to go their allocated spot: beginners, intermediates and advanced. It was obvious who the intermediates and advanced men and women and their dogs were, as they knew where to go. Only the beginners class stayed behind.

Laura and I, along with 10 other dogs and their owners were directed to the left-hand side of the field. The class started by commanding our dog to sit.

“Sit” I commended Laura, but she looked up at me with an expression that said she was perfectly fine standing. “Sit,” I said again and again and eventually she must have thought ... okay, if you insist. So, she sat.

Next came the command to lay down. When I commended Laura to lay down, she had no problem with that. She lay down, front paws elegantly stretched out in front of her. Good dog. 

Getting her to get up again proved to be difficult and I could see her point ... first you want me to lay down, now you want me to get up ... make up your mind.

We practiced and practiced and eventually Laura had it down, she sat and lay down on command. Now came the part where our dogs had to sit and had to remain in place while their owners walked away (a short distance). Laura was having none of that. I had barely taken three steps or she came after me. Walking away while Laura lay down proved to be just as impossible.

Week after week Laura and I joined the other men and women and their dogs, most of them well behaved if not super obedient (the dogs I mean).

Toward the end of October, obedience classes came to an end and the training season would be rounded off with a party. One of the staff members handed me an invitation and Laura promptly bit her arm. Not bad, but enough to warn her.

“Never extend your arm to an owner while the dog is present,” one of the trainers said. “The dog might think that you’re going to attack the owner. Do it slowly and let the owner extend his or her arm first.”

So, while technically Laura had done nothing wrong, we were banned from any future lessons. Biting a staff member, even with the intention of protecting an owner, was not acceptable.

“Don’t feel bad,” the instructor who had been working with Laura said to me. “Laura might not be the most obedient dog, but where it comes to protecting, she doesn’t need any lessons.”

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Day 1: Outside the Window

They say that writers should write every day to become better at their craft. I suppose they’re right, but it’s not always easy thinking of a topic to write about. Which is why I was pleased to find a site with an exercise “365 Creative Writing Prompts. Inspiration & Ideas for Poetry, Writing, Journaling & More.”

Initially, I planned on starting this exercise on January 1^st, but the new year is four months away and I was eager to get started. Next, I thought about starting on September 1^st since that’s only two days away. But then I figured … what the heck, there’s no time like the present, so I’m starting today.

Prompt 1: Outside the Window. What’s the weather outside your window doing right now?

Ah yes, the weather, always a safe and easy topic to talk or write about. Well, let’s see … it’s sunny here in Toronto, but it’s chilly, 21 degrees C (69.8 degrees F).

It’s been a lousy summer. So much so that this summer could go as the coolest and wettest in the history of Toronto summers. I don’t think we’ve hit 30 degrees (86 degrees) once, which ironically suits me just fine. I’m not a fan of the heat. I’m comfortable up to 25 degrees, but anything more than that is too much.

When it gets hot I prefer to stay indoors with the A/C on and a fan if need be. If I do find myself outside, I frequently run into trouble. For instance, we’ll set off on a Saturday morning to go bowling at a temperature that’s nice and warm, but by the time we leave the bowling alley it’s hot as hell. In that case, we have to take a cab home because there’s no way I can walk the long stretch home. For your information, we don’t have a car and as such have to walk wherever we want to go or make use of public transit. Torontonians will know I refer to the TTC (Toronto Transit Commission).

Not that the TTC is the ideal solution. While the trains are air-conditioned (if the air-conditioning works) the subway stations are not. Stations such as Kennedy, Yonge and St. George are much like saunas where one can hardly breathe. Taking the bus or streetcar is even worse. Passengers stand on street corners for who knows how long until the bus or streetcar shows up.

So why am I moaning about our lousy summer when in fact it’s been the perfect summer for me? No idea. Perhaps because our summer has been more like spring, and soon it will be fall. Ouch, what a horrible thought.

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Kitchen project - before and after

Plenty of people have lots of money and can buy anything their heart desires. Other have to make do with less and have to get creative when they want something. If you fall into the latter category, I’ll let you in on a little secret.

A while ago I wanted to change the kitchen countertop. I had a look at this item in home improvement stores and was in for a surprise. A granite countertop cost between $700 and $1,200 for the size that I needed, plus $100 to cut the shape of the sink in the countertop, plus $100 to have the granite slab delivered to my home.

This was ‘a little’ out of my budget. So, I went looking for an alternative.

The home improvement store also had faux granite countertops, made from chipboard and topped with some kind of plastic. I looked at a few slabs but found them still rather expensive. Between $200 and $300 to fit my kitchen.

And then, quite by accident, I came across vinyl. This vinyl gets smoothed over any existing countertop and gives a kitchen a whole new look. As for the cost $20 (two rolls of $10 each).

And the beauty is, if I want to change the look of my kitchen in a few years, the vinyl is easy to remove and replace with another design.

Before

After

 I didn’t stop there though. I also installed a faux window in my kitchen.

I had first seen a virtual window at the Princess Margaret Hospital. With its LED light and the sound of birdsongs, it was so lifelike that I immediately went looking for a window of my own.

Unfortunately, such a window was not in my budget. The price of a small window was in the region of $6,000 and the bigger size was priced about $10,000. Ouch.

Never mind though, I am creative, so I went looking for an alternative. Before long I found a window that I liked, it wasn’t as nice as the virtual light box I had seen in the hospital, but it would have to do. Price … $23.

When the window arrived, it was put in the kitchen, and while nice, it was lacking something. The background was wrong. So, the background was changed from paint to bricks (wallpaper, not real bricks). 

Before 

After

So, for all of you who don’t have pots of money … with a little creativity, you can get what you want.

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How to marbleize Easter eggs

Have you ever wondered how the makers gave marbleized Easter eggs that marble motive?  How they did it.  This year you can impress your family and friends with marbleized Easter eggs and let them wonder how you did it.

What you will need is: 

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When not to edit your writing

There is a time and place for everything and editing your work is no exception.  Writing is a creative process and should be practiced with the least possible interruptions.  Editing while writing can have a disruptive and negative effect on the creative flow of thoughts and as such should be avoided.  

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