she came, she pinned.

It used to be Facebook. Twitter was up there for awhile, but more or less seems to revolve around Bomber games and major tv shows.
But for now, my newest online fascination is Pinterest.

I stumbled onto it a few months ago and quickly assembled a list of those whom I follow. In many cases I've heard others saying that they also are intrigued, but haven't found a solid use for it. It doesn't keep you in touch with friends or family like Facebook. It doesn't keep you up to date every second of the day like Twitter. So where does it fall?

I've instead, found it serves two purposes.

1. It's an inspiration pad when I experience writers or videographers fatigue. I never really get a "block" like some say. I can always write, or edit, but it's not always exactly how I want it to sound or look. So instead of getting frustrated, I spend some time on Pinterest pinning and repining things that I find inspiring, funny and entertaining. It is almost like creating a mood board or a collage. 

2. In doing this, I've found it to be calming. It's like a stress relief. I find myself thinking "self... those hollowed out strawberries, dipped in chocolate and refiled with strawberry shortcake yogurt are what you should make tomorrow." Then I remember, that I can't really cook or bake. But none the less, the inspiration was there.

Giv'er a try. You might inspire yourself.

since when did PR students become videographers?

A little video I've been working on for The Chamber. Still getting used to FCPX, but starting to like it a bit more each time.

Not for women.

It's supposed to be funny - but I'm left feeling neither here nor there about it. The newest 10 cal soft drink has hit the market thanks to our good friends over at Dr. Pepper, but the marketing behind it seems a step behind the competition.

The attempted sarcastic humor behind the commercial doesn't poke fun at women like Heineken does with their Sex and the City closet takeoff nor does it romance women with a slick and witty approach like the Old Spice commercials.

(Nor does it make laugh like the Sesame Street version.)

Instead it slaps the female audience in the face "Are you enjoy this movie - of course not..." - wait what if my favorite movies were Die Hard, Die Harder, Die Hard with a Vengeance and Live Free or Die Hard?  This commercial has the same aspects, but instead of making me laugh, it just makes me change the channel. And lets not forget who out of the two of us will remember to go grocery shopping and put down the cash.

Finally it clearly states that, "with only 10 calories - it's what guys want!".
Really? It has no boobs, bums or beer.

Either do it well or don't do it at all. "CATCH PHRASE"

A Pint of Bitter Murder

Question #1: So… you write murder mysteries?

Answer #1: No, I blog about various things.

Question #2: …but you like murder mysteries right?

Answer #2: I’m not sure, I’ve never read one.

He got up and chose another seat some rows away from me. I giggled thinking to myself… what in the world am I doing here. Sitting in the back row of Park Theatre on with my notebook and pen in hand, staring down at my “BLOGGER” name-tag hanging from my shirt.

The lights were dim as I sat amongst 60 or more people, eagerly awaiting the show to begin. I'm painfully aware that I am the least knowledgeable person on murder mysteries in the room.

As I wait, I think back to years ago, when I was an English major at The University of Manitoba, and was attending my first Thin Air Festival. I clearly remember attending with my Creative Writing classmates, who were also skeptical about giving up a Friday night to go to a “book reading”.

Now here I am years later, and hooked on the festival and all it has to offer – including “A Pint of Bitter Murder”. A staple in the programming, but one show that I’d never encountered before.

A struggle with the microphone ensues, as is often does when a show is about to begin. The audience is silent and still waiting for the first of the two readers to start. I’ve worked myself up a bit about the ‘murder’ aspect, prior to attending. I’m waiting for someone to cue the eerie music, like the theme to Rod Sterling’s Night Gallery, but the theatre remains silent. 

Alison Preston: The Girl in the Wall

Alison Preston is called up first. She flips to the beginning of her new book entitled, The Girl in the Wall. It seems silly, but to my surprise, the story has begun like … a story.

“George had heard of adults who wished they were dead, but not from children who hadn’t reached their sixth birthday.”

I sit listening,  intrigued by the character Morvin, a young girl who was “born dead”, as the first line of the story states. Morvin is described as a bit off as she grows up, always staring at people awkwardly throughout her childhood without smiling or talking. Her older brother George becomes the main character in the story and Morvin’s eccentricities are described to the reader through his reactions to her.

As Alison reads, the audience doesn’t sit back in their seats, but rather, they lean forward with puzzled looks on their faces. They are curious about the characters. And just as fast as the story has begun, Alison’s time is finished. The audience remains leaned forward in their chairs as if they weren’t ready for the story to stop. There is a quick pause, then applause takes over the venue.

“Well damn it now I need to know what happens,” whispers one lady to another in the row in front of me. 

David Annadale: The Valedictorians 

Next up is David Annadale presenting his book The Valedictorians.

David chooses to read a piece from halfway through his book. He sets the scene at a trendy nightclub in the Hamptons. His style is so easy to follow and to picture as you listen.

Now here is the part I was waiting for. He describes a murder that his main character Blaylock commits. Here is what I'd been telling myself all week to brace myself for- the gruesome and scary murder. But to my surprise (and relief)... I’m laughing. This is a murder mystery with a witty and unexpected humorous tone to it. 

As David reads the audience is right there along with him, following his character as she his held up by gangsters and forced out of her Corolla. But instead of shaking, crying and pleading for mercy, she gets out of her midsized sedan and asks where they want her to go. She points to the house from where the gangsters had emerged and marches past them and towards it egging them on. 

David’s definition of characters is phenomenal and original. The unexpected nature of their actions left the audience laughing and intrigued by the main characters dismissal of common female stereotypes. And just as David describes her leaping from the darkness of the house and stabbing another gangster in the ear – he is finished reading.

Both David and Alison are called back up for a writer Q & A period. The audience poses questions about writer timelines, character discoveries and developments and the impulse to resolve difficulty in plot lines.  I look down at my watch and realize that over an hour has flown by.

A Well Spent Saturday Afternoon

Murder mysteries are not what I expected – they are much more. No longer do I think of those choose your own ending mini-book mysteries I used to hate. “If he walks through the door, go back to page 18. If he sits down on the chair, continue to page 87.” 

Finally I have two books to sit down with, to break into a new genre. That’s the most difficult I think, especially if you have an interest but are not sure where to jump in.

My best advice for Murder Mystery, or for any genre, is to attend Thin Air again in 2012 and challenge yourself to a new genre. Break down barriers and broaden your reading horizons, because there are always gems like Alison and David at your fingertips waiting to be found.

Few commercials are great

There are only a handful of commercials that make me want to watch again and again.
Here are my top five:

Toastmasters - first speech - "From private to public"

I'm no Tiger -but I'm learning.

It was the first time I had ever stepped foot on to a golf course. It wasn’t what I expected – it was better!

It was The Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce’s 21^st Annual Golf Tournament and I was the new girl on the block. Literally.

Not only am I new at the Chamber but I am also very green at golf, as it was my very first appearance on a golf course. Ever.

After a 1-hour detour of sorts trying to find Pine Ridge Golf Course, I arrived at the course with not a clue of what to do. I knew I’d be somewhat lost for the majority of the day since everyone else must have had at least a bit of knowledge on the sport.

I walked up to the main area where the golfers had congregated and watched as one by one each person arrived in the car loop and dropped off their clubs. This was my first lesson. The bag drop station does not mean that golfers are donating their bags or giving up on the golf game before they’ve even begun. Instead, they are dropping off their bags to avoid lugging them from the parking lot. Good thinking. So I continued to observe the happenings at a golf course for the rest of the day. Here’s what else I learned.

 1.  I was told to bring bug spray as I’d likely be swarmed on the course. I was indeed swarmed, but not by mosquitoes. Instead, to our delight, dragonflies swarmed the entire course. Note to self for next year – golf in June because July and August will be filled with bug spray all day, followed by Calamine lotion for the next week.

 

 2. Hydration is key on a golf course. Little did I know how much hydration would be supplied for the golfers. Not only did a girl on a ‘beer-cart’ pop up every few minutes, but there are also “snack shacks” along the golf course with strategically placed bathrooms as well. And on special occasions such as tournaments like ours, each hole has a sponsor who liked to provide refreshments to the golfers. There was never a lack on beverages!

   

3. Attire is a big deal in golf. The wrong outfit can have you kicked off the course and the right outfit will bring applause by your peers. I was told that under no circumstances were jeans to be worn on the course- whether you were a golfer or not! On the course I saw some of the best outfits I’ve seen in a long time – and yes I do believe that it improved their game. Wait till I play in my stiletto pumps next year. The rules do not state anything about heel height :)

  

 4.  Ankle socks will leave you with an ankle sock tan. That is all.

 

 5.  As much as hydration is important – sustenance is equally if not more important on the course. In fact, next year when I attend this tournament, I will not eat for the entire day preceding the tournament. I have never been offered/ handed / forced to eat so much food. Every hole put some sort of food and beverage in my hand just in time to get to the 18^th hole and go inside for a huge steak dinner. (FYI – this is not a complaint – I was promptly rolled to my car following the dinner with a smile from ear to ear)

     

6.  Finally, in assisting in helping the tournament run smoothly, I have learned that free gifts are the key to everyone’s heart –no matter what their age! I have never seen so many men and women from approximately 25 – 60 become so competitive in mini-contests and giveaways when there is a golf related prize involved. Maybe the prizes were just that good or maybe the atmosphere is just that electric that everyone couldn’t’ help but act like children at Christmas. Their smiles and words of thanks was truly the most enjoyable thing to experience.

 

All in all one of the most enjoyable new experiences I’ve had in a long time. I won’t particularly call myself a golfer in the near future by any means – I think I’ll always be suited to staying a golf-cart-driver. 

Photos courtesy of Wendy S.