Alexandra Wolfe's Blog, page 35

Autumnal Reading

Okay Folks, so the question is … what do I read next having just racing through THE ASHES OF LONDON by Andrew Taylor. A crackling good read by the way [review to follow this weekend].

I have a large number of books in my to-read pile but have managed to sort those down into a much smaller pile. But, nonetheless, that’s still 8 choices.

So here’s the thing, help me choose my next read by commenting what you would choose from the list below:

• THE WINTER PALACE — Eva Stachniak

• THE BEGGER KING — Oliver Potzch

• THE GOOD SUICIDES — Antonio Hill

• THE LONG WAY HOME — Louise Penny

• THE HOUSE OF DOLLS — David Hewson

• THE PALACE OF CURIOSITIES — Rosie Garland

• THE WOLVES OF ST. PETER’S — Gina Buonaguro & Janice Kirk

• THE POISONED PAWN — Peggy Blair

Go on, you know you want to …

At City Hall

The Hotel de Ville—City Hall—is always decorated every Fall season and, of course, in time for Halloween, with a theme. This year they have created a mini-maze with pumpkins and harvest veggies, including thick mists and hidden surprises, out on the plaza. I’m sure it gets all lit up too, at night, which must be fun for all. 

Bois de Coulonge – Fall colours

Following on from yesterday’s visit to see the Queen Mary II and talking of Fall colours, I went out to my local park, the Bois de Coulonge, to take today’s photo set. At the top end of the park, near the gated entrance, were clear blue skies, but the further I walked into the park, the more misty it became. Down on the river it was heavy with rolling mist and clouds; it was quite the contrast.

I love Fall days like today.

Queen Mary II

We are lucky enough, being both a capital city and a tourist destination, to get an eclectic mix of visitors here. Many of them aboard the numerous cruise ships that dock here during the months of Sept-Oct, for the Fall colours. This last week alone saw four large cruise ships, followed by, this week, the Norwegian Star and, a favourite, the Queen Mary II. A massive cruise ship but, surprisingly enough, a small contingent of passengers. After all, travelling on the QMII is all about luxury.

Well, I didn’t get to see inside, aboard this gracious liner, but I did get a great day out in the Old Quarter to snap plenty of fun photos. 

Autumn in the Botanic Gardens

It’s been a week and, on the first official day of Autumn, I thought to see what had changed in the short time since my last visit. Given that autumn brings on a lot of rapid changes, not just in the weather. There was a lot going on today, in the Gardens. There were several clearing crews out on the grounds—doing just that—going through the test best and pulling up items for composting, and clearing a lot of undergrowth, in various sections.

The one shocking thing amid all this change, was seeing where the Primula beds once were. Two large mud-filled scars, I am told, will be cleaned up and new primulas planted to flower next spring. The truth of that will be self-evident come April/May next year.

Meanwhile, despite the clearing going on, there was plenty to see, as bees, squirrels and chipmunks crazily darted about the fading blooms and fallen bounty, doing their best before the first snows, next month. 

Spanish Galleon

My first real walkabout in days, and as the sun came out after a few days of rain, I went off to the Port to look at an authentic working replica of a Spanish Galleon. And what a beautiful ship … it was like stepping back in time, I could almost smell gun smoke, sea spray and sweat!

This replica is in town for a few days one of many that will visit in the coming week(s) as part of a rehearsal for next year. Next year being Canada’s birthday year. A whole armada of Tall Ships will be here, next September, as part of the festivities and celebrations. Now that will be a sight to behold!  

Bullet Journalling

I finally decide to start another journal, a bullet journal to be exact. What exactly is a Bullet Journal and how does this differ from a diary or planner? Check out Ryder Carroll’s website and introductory video. This is a Bullet Journal at it’s basic, look elsewhere, online, and you’ll see how others have taken the idea and run with it whether for fun, or for business.

I want to keep my own fairly straight forward and simple, as a means of organising not only my day, and To-do lists, but keep track of work-related items, all in one place. And, in a journal I can take with me just about anywhere that doesn’t require either batteries, or recharging.

My journal will be more than a planner, and certainly not a diary, it might also end up a brain-dump for ideas as well as projects, or it could simply be scribbles and notes rather than a series of random post-it notes (that frequently get lost) stuck to my computer, or the fridge.

In its infancy, for the moment, I’m sure it will evolve and change as the longer I use it. Stay tuned for more updates.

The Key, Weekly spread and Daily logs

 

The Fall TV schedule …

Writer v Editor #2

Or, what a writer thinks an Editor’s proofreading marks mean:

frag editor watches to much Battlestar Galactica

rev add more sex

NC editor is from north Carolina

run on procrastinate at the gym

SP editor speaks Spanish

bf add best friend

ram insert horny character

slash kill-off a character

stet add cowboy

eg huh?

x editor loves it

^ add mountainous obstacle

? editor doesn’t get it

! editor definitely doesn’t get it

⁐ more height, more depth

≡ insert river

☉ add telescope

〰 add more scenery or small breasted woman

Writer v Editor

Or, what the writers says and what the editor thinks …

This is just a Beta Release = It’s hemorrhaging errors
I fixed chapter 23 = but the remaining 72 chapters are, however, crap
I’ll just kill off this character = procrastinating, has no idea how to proceed
And a time machine appeared in the middle of the kitchen = is addicted to contrivance
This is just a temporary solution = she’s killed off another character
I’ll finish the edits by Monday = a decade from now
There’s no way I can estimate that = will finish the first draft possibly this century
What’s a run-on sentence? = it’s time to take a holiday

Let The Light In

I think Leonard Cohen said it best in his lyrics for “Anthem”:

Ring the bells that still can ring

Forget your perfect offering

There is a crack in everything

That’s how the light gets in.