This unappetizingly named cookbook was published and made it into circulation. Yuck.

I'm in. Finally.

The Directors Guild of Canada, B.C. District Council has provisionally accepted me for membership in the category of Production Assistant. I've met all of the mandatory requirements and am now eligible to work in BC in any (that means any) DGC category incuding TAD (Traniee Assistant Director) and TAL (Location Trainee).

What a relief.

Next step is being ratified nationally. I'm sure that won't be until the new year. After that I'll be eligible for the health and welfare benefits as well. I'm already able to sign up for the RSP through Fidelity.

Thanks DGCBC. :)

Learning to trust something so intangible is difficult for an instant gratification junkie and perfectionist like myself. I want the story to pour out of me correctly the first time, but it appears that's not how my brain works. I'd become frustrated that my story wasn't working the way I'd like it to so I went away from it for a time. I began to think, 'Oh no. I can't do this. I'm a failure as a writer...' on and on. I became depressed and actually thought I had given up completely when I had some ideas regarding the story.

Perhaps it's because I don't understand this whole process that I get caught up in the negativity. I'm not sure. That or the fact that I'm prone to negativity and depression.

Learning more about what works for others can help me find out what works for me too. Like this article I found googling creative process this morning:

Take a Step Back - When you've been brainstorming for a while you need to take a step back and let things settle in your mind. Sleep is excellent for this. While you dream, your subconscious will go through information it has assembled, sorting and chewing it over. When you wake up the next morning you might just have figured things out. [a list apart]

Some of my best ideas have come to me in the shower. All I have to do is begin to think about a creative problem in the shower and solutions seem to pop up almost immediately. It's hard to spend your entire life in the shower, I'm pruny enough without having to live under a stream of relaxing hot water. That and the fact that writing in the shower is extremely difficult. Water paper make for mush let alone the issues I might have taking this laptop in there with me. The thoughts of an astronomically high utilities bill isn't attractive either.

What else works?

• Exercise - Walking is best for me right now. I'm sure running might help too. That will come in time.


• Environment change - Going to a place I don't usually go to. I've found cemeteries very peaceful and inspirational places.


• Writing - I know it's sort of a weird thing to say that writing helps me to write but the act of writing anything at all (yes, even blogging) tends to get the right side of my noodle working. It doesn't have to be relevant what I am working on story-wise and ideas come.


• Meditation - Just sitting and clearing the cobwebs helps tons.


I pray my creative breaks are shorter, happier and more productive from now on.

As many of you know, I met Dianne, my birth mother a couple of years ago. I'm still getting to know everyone in the family, but sadly there's one less member of the family now. Dianne's dad passed away quietly on Friday afternoon.

Here's his obituary:

CROFT, John Edwin - 85, formerly of Hantsport, passed away peacefully surrounded by family members on Friday, November 23, 2007, in the DVA Unit of Soldiers' Memorial Hospital, Middleton. Born in Greenfield, Kings Co., on April 13, 1922, he was a son of the late Orley and Margaret "Maggie" Croft. He served proudly overseas during the Second World War and in Korea and was a member of the Royal Canadian Legion, Hantsport. Following the wars, he was employed with Minas Basin Pulp and Paper - Board Mill Division, for several years before retiring. His favourite pastime was to go hunting and fishing with his buddies and playing a game or two of cards. He will be sadly missed by his children, Dianne Ashton, Berwick; John (Carol), Mount Denson; siblings, Vern Spidel and Heston Croft. He will also be greatly missed by his seven grandchildren; five great-grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his wife, Marianne (Wolff) Croft; siblings, Harold, Lloyd, Elizabeth, Clare, and Gladys. There will be no visitation by family request. The funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on Monday, November 26, in White Family Funeral Home, Kentville. Burial will take place at a later date. Family flowers only, by request. Donations in memory of our Dad may be made to the charity of your choice. Many thanks and appreciation for the loving care Dad received from the wonderful nurses and staff at the DVA Unit of Soldiers' Memorial Hospital. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to White Family Funeral Home, Kentville. On-line inquiries may be directed to: www.whitefamilyfuneralhome.com
[Chronicle Herald]

Prayers and condolences to Dianne and everyone who was close.

Honk! *says the goose who happens to be cooked*
Gobble! *says the turkey you're about to eat*
Woof! *says the dog who's crap is on your shoe*
Meow! *says the kitty that clawed the furniture*
Moo! *says the cow making milk for your coffee*
Cluck! *says the chicken with it's head cut off*


Oink! *says the pig that gave me the speeding ticket*


Sorry for the weirdness. Listening to Hendrix.