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| My computer is broken, so I've been forced to use the DH's, which would be fine except for the fact that the "h" key on is computer is broken, thereby forcing me to use the character map to write this.
Anyhow, I have a couple of emails that I need to get back to people on - I'll try for tomorrow because trying to type without an "h" key is frustrating me to no end.
Sigh. I secretly think this is the universe's way to telling me to get off the computer, and because I know better than to argue with the universe, I'm now off to dabble with watercolours. Who knows, maybe I'll even summon up the courage to post the results of my dabbling! | |
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| Well, it's been a crazy day involving, among other things, a migraine, so I didn't get chance to draw for that handmade book until just now. All the names got written out and stuck in a bowl, and the trusty DH drew...... *drum roll* ![[info]](http://l-stat.livejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif) ryan_howse, which is extra awesome because tomorrow (well, today in his part of the world) is his birthday! So, thank you to all who entered, and Ryan, drop me your mailing address when you have a moment and I'll post the book to you post-haste! | |
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| Just a reminder that entries for the book giveaway must be received by October 22 (that's a Thursday, and also, tomorrow) at midnight PST. If you have no idea what I'm talking about but want to know, go HERE! | |
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| Confession time: earlier this year, I experienced a real, full-on writer’s block. Not a fun place to be, and the worst thing was that the longer the block went on, the more I knew I needed to do something to break through it and I needed to do it on my own. I admit that I’m a bit of a lone wolf at the best of times and that isn’t always a good thing, but in this case, any helpful advice I received just seemed to add to the heaviness I felt whenever I thought about writing (this is not to say that I’m not terribly appreciative of advice and support, though!) Funnily enough, the breaking point for this block came from something an alternative health practitioner I was seeing for my fibroids suggested. There’s a theory in alternative health circles that fibroids and ovarian cysts are connected to blockages in creativity, and my practitioner suggested I dig out my copy of the The Artist’s Way and work through some of the exercises, just to see what shook loose. Well, shake loose, indeed. That block has been eroded and boy, did were there ever a lot of words dammed up behind it! Anyhow, synchronicity. That’s what I wanted to write about. Julia Cameron talks about synchronicity a lot in The Artist’s Way, and it’s one of those concepts I’ve always believed in, the idea that things fall in place when they should and not before, and there aren’t any short cuts (foo), and all that. What I like about the concept of synchronicity is that it’s not passive – in order to recognize those moments of “Aha!”, one has to be watchful, and ready to act (and learn) when those moments appear. And, the other thing is that those moments aren’t accompanied by angel trumpets and heavenly music – they’re hard, stark, honest moments when somehow, I’m able to see my truth. Often, they’re “be careful what you wish for moments” too! So, the other day, I had a moment of synchronicity. I was out running errands, listening to CBC as I drove from one place to the next. Jian Gomeshi was interviewing an author (whose name I can’t remember) about his new book, and why he wrote it, and the author quoted a letter from Martha Graham to Agnes de Mille. Agnes de Mille, who was enjoying the success of choreographing things like ‘Seven Brides for Seven Brothers’ on Broadway, wrote to Ms. Graham, asking her if she was spinning her wheels, wasting her talent, selling out, that sort of thing. And Ms. Graham wrote back with the following:
There is a vitality, a life force, a quickening that is translated through you into action and because there is only one of you in all time, this expression is unique.
And if you block it, it will never exist through any other medium and will be lost. The world will not have it. It is not your business to determine how good it is nor how valuable it is nor how it compares with other expressions. It is your business to keep it yours clearly and directly, to keep the channel open.
You do not even have to believe in yourself or your work. You have to keep open and aware directly to the urges that motivate you.
Keep the channel open. No artist is pleased. There is no satisfaction whatever at any time. There is only a queer, divine dissatisfaction, a blessed unrest that keeps us marching and makes us more alive.Ah, I thought. Yes. If I hadn’t gone through that block, I wouldn’t have opened The Artist’s Way, and if I hadn’t opened the Artist’s Way, I wouldn’t have read about synchronicity and blockages and how to heal, and if I hadn’t done that, I might not have hopped in my car the other day to go out searching for waxed thread for book binding (because I probably wouldn’t have taken that book binding class) and if I hadn’t been in my car, I wouldn’t have been listening to that interview and would never have known about the letter Martha Graham wrote. But the point is: I was, and I did, and here I am. Keep the channel open. That’s my job. And march to the tune of that blessed unrest. | |
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| So, two weeks ago, I learned how to make coptic bound books. It took me about a week to gather up all the supplies I needed, and since then, I've made three, with a fourth in bits and pieces. But, what, I said to myself, am I going to do with all these books? Well, some of them will become Christmas presents, but one of them I'm going to give away to some lucky person. If you'd like that lucky person to be you, leave me a comment to this post with your name, email, and the title/author of your favorite book (or books, if you prefer!). (LJ users, perhaps just comment with the title/author of your favorite book, as I can find you via your username...) (Edited to add: I will ship this little lovely anywhere in the world, so if you live in some exotic place, please don't let that stop you from entering!) Next Friday (October 23), I'll put all the names in a hat and draw one out. That person will be the lucky owner of a hand-bound book filled with 42 pages of cream 67 pound paper. The book is covered with Daphne paper, a high quality handmade paper from India. Here's a photo:  All this book needs now is a new owner to fill it with wonderful things. I'll be accepting entries until October 22 at 12 midnight PST, and once I have a winner, I'll need that person's mailing address so I know where to send their prize! | |
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| 1. I just took a look at the 14 day forecast for our area, and.....holy moly, we might have snow on Tuesday. Snow mixed with rain, but still! I'm skeptical, but I guess we'll see.
2. Tonight, I'm going to hear Starhawk speak. So excited, and I hope to come home brimming with inspiration on how to make our world a better place.
3. On that note, it's Thanksgiving in Canada this weekend. Turkey and pumpkin pie, hooray! And, dinner with family and friends - what could be better?
4. And, on the writing end of things, I think I've hit the halfway point in my bug novel. It's amazing how a novel starts out as just an idea, and then grows and grows into some wild gardeny thing with thorns and straggly bits and everything! It's been a a while since I've really just immersed myself in the process of writing, and what I need to remember is when I do, I am a happy camper.
That's it! Happy Friday, all, and a happy Thanksgiving to all who celebrate! | |
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