Suzanne Stengl's Blog, page 11

My balcony garden

I took out my collection of pots and then made a trip to Sunnyside Greenhouse. Along with a huge bag of potting soil, I bought nasturtiums, geraniums, lobelia, pansies, violas, petunias, dusty miller, zinnias and a Gerbera daisy.

In an afternoon, I created this—an outdoor “writing room”. 

A place to sit and think and compose, with fresh air, sunshine, colour and sweet smells. I love it. And, it seems, so do the squirrels.

The post My balcony garden appeared first on Suzanne Stengl.

Calgary’s Tallest Building

On Wednesday, Rolf and I visited Calgary’s tallest building. “The Bow” is the headquarters for Encana Corporation and Cenovus Energy. Our D-I-L Liz works for Cenovus so she got us Visitor Passes and showed us around.

Suzanne and Liz

The building is named for the Bow River which runs through Calgary.

The Bow River as seen from the 54th floor of “The Bow”

Not only is the Bow the tallest building in Calgary at 237 metres ( about 779 feet), it’s the second tallest building in Canada. There are much taller buildings in the world. At the moment, the tallest is Burj Khalifa in Dubai, at 828 metres ( about 2,717 feet).  This is the building that Tom Cruise scaled in Ghost Protocol.

You can watch the scene here:

But the Bow is the tallest building I have ever been inside. Three weeks ago, I was on the observation deck of the Calgary Tower with Debra Dixon. You see “The Bow” behind us here.

The first 24 floors are for Cenovus and above that are the offices for Encana. There are also three indoor gardens – each six storeys high. Cenovus has one at the 24th level, Encana has one at the 42nd level and there is a shared garden at level 54.

indoor gardens at The Bow

The building was completed in 2012. Its position and shape give it the maximum amount of sunshine. Solar heat is collected in the atrium and redistributed, making the building more energy efficient.

collecting sunshine

The crescent shape of the building deflects the prevailing winds, which allows for a lighter structure.

And what a view!

looking south to the Calgary Tower

looking west to the Rocky Mountains

In front of the building is a 12 metre (39 foot) sculpture officially called “Wonderland”  but everyone refers to it as The Head.

The Head

A full-time security guard is on duty to keep people from climbing The Head, but it’s okay to go inside it.

inside “The Head”

Have you been up high lately? How was your view?

The Bow – full height from bigstockphoto # bigstockphoto.com #76038542

The post Calgary’s Tallest Building appeared first on Suzanne Stengl.

The Eyre Affair by Jasper Fforde

This is what the cover of the book looks like—with all the tatters built in to the design. At least, this is what my edition looks like, there are others.

The story is fresh and fun and especially entertaining to a writer. It’s about a woman named Thursday Next who is a detective—a Literatec—in a seemingly ordinary world.

Except, it’s not really ordinary. It’s an Alternate World—one where the Crimean War has been happening for 131 years, and where the characters have names like Paige Turner and Jack Schitt and Braxton Hicks. And where the ending to the novel Jane Eyre is one you have not read.

Thursday has an Uncle Mycroft who is an inventor. Once he invented a 2B pencil with a built-in spell-checker. Now he has Bookworms that have encoded within their DNA all the dictionaries of the English language. And thesauruses too. Or rather, thesauri. He calls them HyperBookworms.

With the help of the Bookworms, he creates a Prose Portal where his wife (Polly) gets stuck inside a Wordsworth poem. Meanwhile an evil genius is stealing the great original manuscripts of the world, including Jane Eyre.

Jasper Fforde has an incredible imagination, a smooth writing style and a plot that sweeps you along. This is a thoroughly enjoyable and satisfying read. To read a sample, go here.

So far, there are seven books in the Thursday Next series and they include: The Eyre Affair, Lost in a Good Book, The Well of Lost Plots, Something Rotten, First Among Sequels, One of our Thursdays is Missing and The Woman Who Died a Lot.

I’ll be moving on to the second book in the series now.

Have you read any of the Thursday Next series? Did you have fun?

The post The Eyre Affair by Jasper Fforde appeared first on Suzanne Stengl.

Debra Dixon Workshop

It was one of those amazing weekends. On Saturday May 2, 2015, the Calgary Association of the RWA held its Spring Workshop with guest speaker Debra Dixon. Debra is a writer and a publisher at BelleBooks.

Debra landed in Calgary on Friday. That night, the CARWA Board of Directors took her to the Sky 360 revolving restaurant at the Calgary Tower. Since I am the Membership Chair for the group, I was invited. And Amy Jo Fleming was invited since she was the critique winner. We enjoyed a lively conversation as we dined on menu items like Foie Gras and Goat Cheese Mousse, Wild Board Striploin and Wild Game Meatloaf Wellington. Then we headed up to the observation deck where we tested the glass floor.

Here’s the whole group.

standing L to R: Amy Jo Fleming, Treasurer Brenda Sinclair, Debra Dixon, President Shelley Kassian, Secretary Katie O’Connor, VP Communications Win Day, VP Programs Ellen Jorgensen. Kneeling: Membership Chair Suzanne Stengl

The next morning, I arrived at the Valley Ridge Golf Club at about 8:30. The workshop started with breakfast at 9:00. That’s a great way to get attendees there on time. Debra began her presentation at 10:00 sharp.

We learned about the Goal Motivation Conflict chart, Dominant Impressions and Tag Lines. The Valley Ridge Golf Club served up a delicious buffet lunch at 12:30 and we recommenced an hour later with Debra presenting her take on the Hero’s Journey.

About four o’clock, we started a “finding your voice” exercise and Debra passed the microphone around the room for members to read samples of their work.

After the formal workshop finished,  about a dozen of us moved over to the onsite restaurant, Mulligan’s. Debra and Amy Jo stayed in the workshop room to review Amy Jo’s critique submission. And then they joined us at Mulligan’s. There was food and drink and Debra answered more questions and gave us more writing advice.

B. C. Deeks and I were the last to leave—about 8:30 pm. A twelve hour day and completely worth it. I’m still going over my notes and processing all this information.

If you can’t get to a Debra Dixon workshop, you must buy her book: Goal, Motivation, and Conflict. This is one of the most helpful resources a writer can have on the bookshelf.

The post Debra Dixon Workshop appeared first on Suzanne Stengl.

My New Dual Flush Toilet

Last Saturday, we finally bought one of those dual flush toilets. Our son Ryan helped Rolf to carry the box from the car to the house. And then on Monday, our son Kyle helped to install it. At almost 109 pounds, this toilet is very heavy.

Our choice: the American Standard Tofino Dual Flush Complete One Piece 1.08/1.59 Gallon Elongated Toilet

It would have been easier to carry and install if I had agreed to the two piece model but I wanted the one piece because it’s easier to clean.

Efficiency

The old toilet used 13 litres per flush—about 3 ½ gallons.

Here is our old 13 litre (3 ½ gallon) water guzzler.

Our new toilet uses either 4 litres or 6 litres (1 to 1 ½ gallons) depending on what it has to deal with.

Here is our new dual flush toilet which uses either 4 or 6 litres—1 to 1 ½ gallons.

Home Depots says: This high-efficiency, ultra-low consumption model is WaterSense ® certified and uses 20% less water than standard toilets.

The “20% less water” will be excellent for the utility bill. And because this is WaterSense certified, that means we get the rebate from the City of Calgary. To encourage citizens to get rid of their water guzzling toilets, you can apply for a $50 mail-in rebate.

Ease of install

You definitely need two people to lower this model onto the wax ring that connects it to the plumbing, and the bolts that connect it to the floor. Remember, it weighs about 109 pounds. As long as you have a strong husband and a strong son, it’s not as bad as it sounds. Just don’t expect this to be a one-man or one-woman job.

Sawdust girl has a great write-up of how she installed one of these toilets.

Ease of cleaning

Home depot says: Its seamless one-piece design with smooth-sided, concealed trapway is both eye catching and easier to clean.

I wanted the one piece model because it does not have all those cracks and crannies to clean. On a two piece model, the bolts that hold the toilet in place are covered by knobs. And I have always hated the way those knobs collect all that gunk and grime. With this new toilet, all that stuff is out of sight. And the toilet is clean with a quick swoosh. Not only that, this technology has some kind of “PowerWash” system that scrubs the bowl with each flush and keeps it cleaner longer.

Effectiveness

It’s fine to be easy-to-clean and water efficient, but this contraption still needs to be effective. And it is. It has a MaP Rating of 1000 grams.

(MaP = Maximum Performance Rating)

To see what this means, watch this YouTube on Epic Flushing Power.

All this and my new toilet comes with a . . .

Soft Close Seat

A Soft Close toilet seat uses a slow-close hinge system that lowers the toilet seat gently and practically silently. The seat comes with an EverClean finish which helps the seat and cover stay clean by inhibiting the growth of bacteria, mold and mildew.

Feng Shui

And then there is Feng Shui.

Before flushing, close the lid, so that germs don’t spray into the room. That’s just common sense.

Feng Shui also tells us that an open toilet lid lets energy drain from the room. I have no idea about that, but to me, the room seems more soothing and settled with the lid closed. With the Soft Close lid and a gentle tap, there is no noise involved and no excuse not to close it.

Toilet Trivia

 Interested in toilets from around the world?

You might enjoy Rose George’s The Big Necessity: The Unmentionable World of Human Waste and Why It Matters 

It’s interesting and eye-opening and told with wit and humour. I recommend it.

 

Have you seen the movie, Kenny?

Kenny is a mockumentary about porta-potties and the man who services them. It’s comedic but with a kind of unexpected heroism.

And for something totally ridiculous there is:

Girls Don’t Poop. Watch it here.

Have you installed a dual flush toilet yet? What do you think of the trade-off between weeks of Easy Clean and an install of Really Heavy? Have you watched Kenny? What do you think of the Feng Shui of toilet lids?

bathroom from bigstockphoto.com #85342511
pink toilet paper from bigstockphoto.com #83275571

The post My New Dual Flush Toilet appeared first on Suzanne Stengl.

Wires

I got a new monitor and I was getting my wires crossed so I decided to sort out the mess.

First, let me tell you about the monitor. On Tuesday, I brought home a 24 inch Samsung SD390. It had a beautiful display but I didn’t like the stand. I type so fast that I set up a vibration and that was making the screen shake. So the next day, I returned the SD390 and purchased the SD590. It has the same beautiful display but with a more solid stand.

I’ve been using two monitors for some time now. This new one is my main screen and I have an older monitor, also 24 inches, that I use for a secondary screen. Since it’s older, the colours are not as vibrant but, hey, it works.

Why two monitors?

I open Scrivener on my main screen. On the secondary monitor I  have several WORD documents open: a name chart, a calendar of what happens when, a list of threads to keep track of, and an INSPIRATION mind map that shows my character relationships.

Add a cup of coffee to this setup, and I am in my perfect writing place.

I have a helpful husband. A long time ago, he installed an 8 outlet surge protector under my desk to deal with the computer wires but since then I have found more things to plug in. So yesterday he installed another bar. This one has 7 outlets, giving me a total of 15. I’m only using 11 of them. Maybe I should buy another lamp? (just kidding!)

What’s under there?

I have power for:

CPU
main monitor
secondary monitor
speakers
USB splitter
inkjet printer
laserjet printer
external hard drive
backup hard drive
really bright lamp
cell phone charger

And this is the final configuration.

Kudos to Rolf. Gotta love a hubby with power tools!

The post Wires appeared first on Suzanne Stengl.

Happy Easter Cupcakes!

It’s a snowy Easter morning in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. But that’s okay. Canadian Easter bunnies don’t mind the snow.

Tonight about 5:30, the family starts to arrive. I’ll get someone to carve the turkey and someone else to make the gravy. Yesterday I mashed up yams and butter and maple syrup so I’ll pop that dish in the oven once the turkey is done. We’re having all the fixings—stuffing, pickles, cranberries. A big salad.

And, of course, dessert. Instead of Easter eggs, we’re having Easter Cupcakes. My favourite Crave Cupcakes. Plus, strawberries for the health conscious.

I hope the Easter bunny is good to you and that you are surrounded by family and friends.

Happy Easter!

The post Happy Easter Cupcakes! appeared first on Suzanne Stengl.

Debra Dixon: Goal, Motivation & Conflict

Debra Dixon, author of GOAL, MOTIVATION & CONFLICT is coming to Calgary, Alberta, Canada on May 2, 2015 and I’m already signed up for the workshop.

This is my underlined, stick-it-noted, well-read copy of her book.

It was back in 2002 when I first heard Debra Dixon speak. I still remember that workshop, presented by the Alberta Romance Writers Association, otherwise known as ARWA.

That Friday night when she arrived, we immediately learned something about setting.  

Alberta writers would never think of meeting someone outside the airport. You wait inside, right? That’s normal, isn’t it? It could be minus 30 out there. Who would ever wait outside at the airport?

Someone from Memphis, Tennessee.

Finding Deb Dixon at the airport on that Friday night was an example of romance writers creating a comedy of errors. But Jenn, diligently walking around with her sign, eventually found our speaker, and the Board took her out to dinner.

The next morning, I remember arriving about 8:30 to a room bubbling with conversation. The day was packed with information, much of the format was lecture and a good portion was “interactive”. We created the GMC chart for Sarah, the rebellious debutante in a Western. The trick with the exercise was to try it outside of our usual genre.  

The GMC chart can be used to create a new story, to tweak an existing one, or to find out why you’re stalled. And it’s also useful for that query letter or editor interview. I believe GOAL, MOTIVATION & CONFLICT is one of the most important books you will ever put in your writing library.  

We had such a good time that day and I can still remember going out for dinner after the workshop.

Trish and I walked into Madison’s at 5:15. It was a Saturday night. The maitre d’ looked a little worried when we said we had about 10 to 15 people coming over.  And no, we didn’t have a reservation.

But she quickly sorted things out and found us a long table where we could all sit together. I told her we were the ARWA group.  

“ARWA?” The maitre d’ clearly had not heard of us.

I spelled it out  for her.

The waiter also looked a little confused. Trish told him, “We’re writers.” And then she quickly added, “But we have money!”

The service was excellent, the food was high cal and the talk was flowing. I was still trying to come up with my Dominant Impression for my heroine. So was Donna Wickens. We were making notes on the napkins. The waiter brought more napkins.  

I love these post workshop debriefings. The chairs around Deb Dixon kept getting new people in them as writers came to her with their specific questions. This lady is like the energizer bunny. She just doesn’t stop. Finally at 9 pm, twelve hours after our official workshop start, we called it a day.

And now the Calgary Association of the RWA is presenting a Deb Dixon workshop. I have a chance to hear her speak again, to reinforce what I know and to fill in the blanks for what I don’t know. And, besides that, I get to spend some quality time with writers.

Here are the details.

Date: Saturday, May 2, 2015
9 am: Registration and light continental breakfast
10 am: Workshop starts
Noon: Buffet lunch
5 pm: Workshop ends

Buy your ticket here. Tickets will be on sale until April 24th.

If you’re a writer and you live in or near Calgary, I hope you will join me at the workshop.

One more thing:

Register by March 31st and your name will go in a draw for a 25-page critique by Deb Dixon.
Good luck!

The post Debra Dixon: Goal, Motivation & Conflict appeared first on Suzanne Stengl.

Happy St. Patrick’s Day!

May the Irish hills caress you.
May her lakes and rivers bless you.
May the luck of the Irish enfold you.
May the blessings of Saint Patrick behold you.

—traditional Irish blessing

Image from dreamstime.com #2930899

The post Happy St. Patrick’s Day! appeared first on Suzanne Stengl.

Brave little buds

Calgary is at 51 degrees North with an elevation of 1,048 m (3,438 ft) so spring does not come early. Not usually.

But so far, March has been beautiful with temperatures up to 15 degrees Celsius! (That’s 59 Fahrenheit for our neighbours to the south.)

The weather predictions keep changing. A few days ago, they were saying snow on the weekend, but it looks like we may miss that. Although it will drop below freezing again.

These little buds don’t seem to care. I hope they survive the next few weeks. I think it’s a long way until spring, with a lot of snowy weather yet to come and there’s not a robin in sight.

The post Brave little buds appeared first on Suzanne Stengl.