…yeah yeah I know-kinda missed January!
What a way to start off a new month/new year-I’m traipsing around jolly ‘ol London at the moment. Loving every gallery and museum and every building overloaded with history. With several years of living in the UK in my own history, these travels are extra special.
Being back on the road is inspiring me with so much to share. Refreshing all of my senses with new sights and sounds is what every traveller is after, right? As far as my writing goes, I think this exactly what I need to dust off the keyboard and ensure the Babe With A Backpack is on track to being a published writer.
And how’s about a fava from YOU to ME? Every writer needs words of encouragement or simply acknowledgment that more than their mom is reading…so can you find a minute to add a COMMENT to anything? Sometimes I really need a fire up me arse to keep on writing, and you guys always do it for me!!
Over the last couple of months I’ve really enjoyed being a part of the storytelling circuit in Vancouver. Writing is one thing, reading or hosting is another, but storytelling? YES! It’s real. It’s entertainment. And it gets me out of an early bedtime watching an entire season of Weeds or The Golden Girls.
For December I’ve made it onto the hot sheet for ‘The Flame’ series (check out their Facebook group) held at the Cottage Bistro on Main Street. So pencil into your diary-no no no, permanent marker into your diary (ok, I’ll get with the times…input into your diary) the 7pm start time on Wednesday December 1st.
I’ve chosen my tale to tell already, and you’ll be pleased to know it won’t be about my dating experiences (way more than 10 minutes!). I’m going with a crowd favourite, and chapter four of my book: ‘The Zambian Entry’.
For your reference, storytelling nights have only a couple of rules to follow:
1. All stories must be true and be about you.
2. Stories must be told without the use of notes.
3. Stories must be NO LONGER than 10 minutes
This usually means the stories cover several continents, decades and involve entertaining characters. Storytellers are actors, bus drivers or simple travellers like me. It’s a fabulous way to get into the community. Check out their great promo video from the October reading on their Facebook group (sorry, can’t manage to link it here?!)
So I really hope to see some of you there – get there early as most tables are gone by 6:30.
Cheers me dears,
Fiona 
Babe With a Backpack….is back
Last June I posted a blog about a date gone wrong and how it really molded my impression of the dating scene in Vancouver. I acknowledge it’s not just in Vancouver that the dating scene can be a singleton’s nightmare. There is always a scenario or situation that can lead people down the path of, “it’s just not worth it”.
For me, it only took a couple of situations to push me into avoiding the man market all together. Call me a pessimist, a purist or simply a person marked by personal history; at the end of the day, I don’t enjoy the process of perusing the bars or the online sites. I considered switching sides as a possible easier option, but got stumped on the initial attraction stage. I considered being single for the rest of my life, but felt a ‘sorry for myself attitude’ didn’t fit into my happy go lucky character. So I faced the truth. I re-entered the dating world by registering online. Thankfully, potential matches didn’t hear my groans and gag-me responses from reading their profiles.
Eight weeks later, I can officially report that my approach has changed. Continue reading »
