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Who did the military welcome to the Maritimes last night?

7/31/2011

"Rock stars tend to cast themselves as emotional savants, folks who feel the plight of vanishing rain forests and anguished Tibetans more acutely than the rest of humanity."
TIME.com quote

Talking about Bono from U2 who closed their world tour in Moncton last night.

As for me, I was not there for Bono's political messages, despite the fact that I agree with a lot he says. I was there for art.

For music. And THAT was great. I'd even say the Arcade Fire 'Carnaval of chaos' (Bono's words) surpassed all my expectations musically whereas U2 wowed me with the stage show octopus/crab that came to life.

The mud I could've done without.

Happy Natal Day Everyone,
TartanFrog

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Psst! I'm on vacation...

7/21/2011

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Does ANYTHING conjur up vacation more than that FlowerPower Camper Van?
Well, THEY say that if you have desires and you put them out there to the universe that the universe may answer. . . So UNIVERSE, I'D LOVE ONE OF THOSE!!!!

And since I'm on vacation and can't afford a big trip, I've started a program to help me rediscover my inner creative child - oh stop it!!! I can hear you yammering in my head: "If anyone is in touch with her inner child" -- Blah, blah, blah

Anyhoo, so I'm gonna be going the Artist's Way and you'll have to find your own writing contests for a couple of weeks. HOWEVER, if you're looking for a writing prompt - check out the pic (below) I snapped yesterday - the sign was hammered onto a telephone pole on my street. Let that inspire a story! And happy trails,
TartanFrog

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It's Writerly Wednesday - Contests to spur you on!!

7/13/2011

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Of course you can still make this month''s deadlines by the skin of your teeth - see last Wednesday's blog)

Here's the line-up for the first week of August including those BIGGIES, the Giller and the Governor General's awards:

1. John Kenneth Garbraith Short Story Writing Competition
Genre: See Title:) Deadline: August 1st Entry Fee: $10; Prizes: % of entry fee
Please see here for more details. NOTE TO EVERYONE: There seems to be a problem loading the website, but I've sent a message to the organizers and will update asap.

2. The Malahat Review Creative Non-Fiction Prize
Deadline: August 1st; Entry Fee: $35; Prizes: $500; Publication $40/printed page. Please see here for more details.

3. The Scotiabank Giller Prize
Deadline: August 5th; Entry Fee: None; Prizes: $50,000; $5000 x 4
Please see here for more details.

4. Governor General's Literary Awards
Deadline: August 7th; Entry Fee: None
Please see here for more details.

That's all for now writerlies - Good luck!!!
TartanFrog

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My "What Halifax needs this Week" RANT! 1. Less crankiness; 2. More access to green space!

7/8/2011

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Would YOU sign that petition? I mean seriously!

IT'S MY WORD ON THE STREET FRIDAY BLOG and this week prepare for what may just become a rant.

I LOVE Halifax, but between cranky doctors & limited access to the gardens in the morning before work - I'm getting as cranky as the doctor who, yesterday, get this:

She asks me what I'd taken for the constant sneezing & runny nose I've had recently?

I reply that I've taken an occasional antihistamine, but that I don't like taking medication.

Her reply:
"Well, what do you want ME to do about it?" (assume the sarcastic tone implied)

I reply: "DIAGNOSIS THE CAUSE!!!" (assume the word 'MORON' bitterly implied)

Yes, the appointment went downhill from there.

Now onto my 2nd point: We have a place in Halifax called THE PUBLIC GARDENS!!! [see photo left]

It's one of those places Mayor Peter Kelly bandies about when talking about the vibrant downtown where new and old coexist in harmony when he's trying to attract WORKING PEOPLE to move downtown -- But who is this downtown public he'd like to see move here anyway?
He claims that part of revitalizing downtown includes WORKING PEOPLE who chose to live closer to the center (the kind who pay taxes as I do).

Well, many of these WORKING PEOPLE (those fortunate enough to have jobs) - have to be at work around or BY 8 A. M. - which is precisely the hour the PUBLIC GARDENS open. A great time for tourists and retirees, but NOT the WORKING PEOPLE.

These types can't go for an early morning jog or enjoy a luxurious cup of coffee near a gurgling fountain. We must gaze through those iron bars at what could be.

I had to go for blood tests this morning so I tested my theory. On my way back, I sat on a bench in the PUBLIC GARDENS and watched those people who could walk or jog through the gardens on their way to work. Here's what I saw & heard:

Smiles. Singing birds. Fountains gurgling. Pebbles crunching underfoot as workers walked by, a jaunt in their step. Some even whistling a tune to themselves.
"Good morning," I said to passersby and we exchanged smiles.

SO JUST OPEN THE GARDENS EARLIER WILL YA??!!
7 AM AT LEAST, 6 AM BETTER!!!

We have a short season and limited amounts of sunshine & with the amount of municipal taxes we fork out we deserve access to our green spaces.
Install a proper spot for bicycle commuters to park their bikes.

If Ottawa can make skating to work in -50 appealing I think Halifax can compete!!

In an earlier blog I wrote about my second novel: "It's about an ordinary woman from Cape Breton, who, for a brief moment in time, believed she was meant for an extraordinary life".

We need a mayor for this great city who believes with passion that Halifax may be an ordinary city to an outsider, but she believes (as do those of us who know her intimately) that she is meant for an extraordinary life.

Less Manicuring!! More Access!!

Have a great weekend everyone & why not take a stroll in the Gardens.
It's a great spot for writing too!!

TartanFrog

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Found my Canadian Writers' Contest Calendar - I wonder what I lost?

7/6/2011

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Skip past my 'lost & found' musing for contest line-up . . .

Have you ever lost anything that used to bring joy and laughter into your life?
A Hobby? Or sadder, a person?

Lost it, forgot it, missed it, then decided to find it - only come to discover you've lost something else. Grrrrrr! It's a juggling act, I know. I may not be a parent, but I still hold down two jobs, although one of them is considered by some to be 'my hobby'.

Anyway, I think it's worth it every now and again to sit and think about what you've "Lost and Found" - Decide, like Serendipity, what needs fetching and what you're just as happy losing :-).

So here's the writers' competition line-up to the end of July:

1. The Writers' Trust of Canada!
Genre: Book Award; Deadline: July 15th. No entry fee; the prizes vary according to the category. See here for more details.

2. Finding the Right Words Flash Fiction Contest
Genre: Short Fiction Deadline: July 16 Entry Fee: $2 per entry. Prize: $60; $30 + publication. Please see here for more details.

3. Clem Battye Legacy Award
Genre: Poetry & Fiction Deadline: July 31st Entry Fee: $10 Prizes: $100 x 2
Please see here for more details.

That's all for now writerlies,
TartanFrog

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Welcome to my Blog!

My name is Dina
(aka TartanFrog)
I'm a writer & educator.

More about me

More about the book I just finished

Why blog? Why write?
My dream: To see all children grow up with dignity, self-esteem and a passion for their dreams.

I've met many children and adults whose dreams and innocence were stolen.

I write for them; I write as one of them.

I try to blog weekly.
Blog topics:
Writing & publishing-related tips for my writerly friends; social justice issues that touch children, adults, trees or threaten our world of future wholesome communities; my experiences navigating the process of living & writing.

Spoiler Alert:
Some days, these may be rants:)

Why TartanFrog?
TartanFrog--a celebratory tip of the hat to the interweaving of my French Acadian roots with the Celtic culture of Cape Breton.

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