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!!

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

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.

After completing my own profile I decided to contact 20 guys that I thought looked decent. I checked in frequently thereafter to see who might reciprocate an interest, but was faced with a big fat zero in responses. Of course, I then mocked the system and bitched to my girlfriends that online was another failed attempt for me.

“Why can’t blokes see a normal, kind hearted and adventurous gal doing cartwheels in front of them?” I asked.

I suppose being one of thousands of faces in a catalog of hope isn’t exactly doing cartwheels – but I was there wasn’t I? “Impatient” they would say back, just meet a few of the guys for the practice of communicating and dating. ‘Blah blah blah’ I thought…but followed through.

The first guy I met in person was somebody I would have contacted first, had I not been guided by my gals to ‘let him come to you’. Rules of dating 101. His profile showed off a unique style; he looked like a man that embraced life in every form. I arrived early and spent all of the time trying to look calm, cool and collected. As he walked off the street into the coffee shop, I let my head drop in concentration. Trying to be casual and not let nerves take over the scenario of the hottest looking dude approaching my table, wasn’t as easy as I thought it would be. Lucky for me, he turned out to be a normal, kind-hearted man that made me feel comfortable immediately.

Fast track a few weeks, and there have been some dinners, some parties, some conversations that kept going. There are sparks, there is respect and there is hope. With my tail between my legs I hereby declare that the dating world isn’t so bad after all.

So what was my big hang-up? I needed to separate the cruising, the multiple dating and the dedicated dating in order to turn my fear and loathing of hooking up, into excitement. I’m now re-educating myself with how different men and women think, and yes, it’s a frickin rollercoaster as I face new emotions and walls come down – but, my tail is now wagging with excitement for whatever is to come. I’ve found somebody that adds inspiration to my day, just by being himself.

So my new attitude is simple: Multiple dating in whatever form is tiresome especially if you have beliefs and values of a real and immediate connection. Singular dating is exciting if that connection is there. Lucky for me, the man of the moment (also known as the first online guy I met in person) checks the connection box and then some. So my hope is restored. I can now say I’m embracing each day of dating as it comes.

Dating has given me multiple worst-case scenario stories to be entertained by. Maybe I’ll have a book about them one day.

Dating is now giving me confidence in myself that holding out, and sticking to my guns, has been worth it. Maybe I’ll have a book about this, one day. Fingers crossed.

Fiona Scott
Babe With A Backpack

Culture is many things. Vancouver culture does not follow the traditional sense as its’ inhabitants connect more with natural beauty than anything else. THAT is our culture. We have modern design, coffee shops, Diwali festivals, film festivals and Pride marches.

So what is it that we don’t have? I’m still trying to put my finger on it. Some might say a diverse community-others might laugh at that very idea. History, art, a top notch foodie scene-we do have it all…but as a small city that can count it’s history by the number of rings on the tree in the backyard.

I am now on a mission to define the culture of our fair city…as seen and understood by me. You may agree or not agree with me. Different generations and different ethnic backgrounds will surely all say something different. Local author Douglad Coupland coined ‘City of Glass’ noting our blue and green tinted skyscrapers while local rocker Bryan Adams collected Emily Carr’s clay handiwork. There are many approaches to culture and being a Vancouverite-hopefully my insight will be as rounded and world. Where do I go-What do I see and What do I do? What do YOU suggest?

Watch this space!

On Friday night, Marni and I will be stepping up to the mic to introduce 10 readers from the Lower Mainland. If you are looking for writing inspiration, are hoping to join a community of writers, or simply want to open your ears up to a combination of fiction, poetry and non-fiction – come and join us! Scheduled readers are as follows:

CLARISSA P. GREEN … CATHERINE MCNEIL … RACHEL THOMPSON…

REX MOORE … ALEXANDER WINSTANLEY … JANICE MASURE …

ALYSEN CAMERON … CATHIE BORRIE … MARY-JO DIONNE

WITH SPECIAL GUEST AUTHOR MICHELLE ELRICK

TWS

READING SERIES

 

 

@ Take 5 Café