bad coffee

I make the worst coffee in the world. I challenge any of you to prove me wrong. I'm serious.

I've written about my bad coffeemaking before. I'm starting to drink coffee a bit more these days, partly because I'm doing more writing in coffeeshops. Despite my increased coffee knowledge, I claim no expertise in knowing the finer points of gourmet coffee.

But I know my coffee's bad because it tastes sort of like aspirin. Actually, the last coffee I made tasted like the hot water used to clean out a coffeepot that had been left on the burner until all the (very bad) coffee inside had evaporated away.

I recently complained about my bad coffee to Rand. He suggested cleaning our coffeemaker out with vinegar. I didn't know you were supposed to clean out coffeemakers. Maybe Jeff has already done this, who knows. If I lived alone, I'm sure my coffeemaker would continue to accumulate coffee sludge for years before I thought to do anything about it (and only because I couldn't pry open the lid).

So now I'm following the coffeemaker-cleaning directions and doing the vinegar treatment. I had a terrible craving for fish and chips for a large part of the afternoon.

I'm a MAJOR vinegar fan when it comes to fish and chips. I used to dip my chips in vinegar and suck on them until my lips turned white.

But the vinegar smell is fading in the apartment now, which means it's time to start running plain water through the coffeemaker. Rand guarantees that my coffee will start tasting better.

My concern, however, is how will I know? Hm. I should find one of my hardcore coffee-drinking friends and get them to take me to a really good coffee place so I know what Good Coffee is supposed to taste like.

For now, I guess I'll be happy as long as my coffee doesn't taste like aspirin.

Michelle is coming over so we can work on the story. Too bad she doesn't drink coffee, or I could get her to do the first taste-test. >:-)

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Apologies to those Oscar winners who have not received their prizes yet. With FKO over, I'm getting back into my regular routine and will mail off your pens and write your poems very soon, I promise.

But here's a new challenge for you...identify the filker in the photo at the top of this Blathering. :-)

running

(Daniel Glasser has granted me permission to post some of his FKO photos; please see bottom of the page for credits -- thanks, Daniel!)

It was so gorgeous out late yesterday afternoon that I decided to do some running outdoors around 5 pm. I enjoyed the experience so much more than running on a treadmill that I think I just might have to do it again.

I ran along the harbourfront, as close to the lake as I could get without falling in, the breeze off the water kept me from getting too hot (I should have brought sunscreen!). I chose a look-out point near Queen's Quay Terminal as my turn-around spot, and I rested for several minutes, watching the waves on the lake and listening to the seagulls call to each other.

Definitely better than the sound of treadmills and exercise machines. :-)

I'm not a seasoned runner like Andrea Dale and Dave Weingart, doing most of my cardio workout on elliptical trainers and rowing machines in the gym, and have only recently started running on the treadmill. My "routine" is generally warming up with a fast walk, then running until I get tired. At that point I do more fast walking, then run again. And so on. Eventually I'd like to get to the point where I can run the entire time, with no walking breaks. I'm ramping up very gradually; I pushed myself too hard when I tried running about five or six years ago, and developed some knee problems. We'll see how it goes this time.





Anyway, it was a great walk/run, and helped a lot with my current bout of post-con blues (which are hitting me harder than usual). There weren't many people along the harbourfront; I'm sure that will change as the weather warms up. I passed a few cyclists, other joggers, couples walking arm in arm.

I might take out my bicycle again, but I find it's not nearly as relaxing as walking or running. Mainly because I have to constantly fight the tendency to enjoy my surroundings; riding a bike in downtown Toronto tends to require more sustained focus and coordination because of the busy traffic.

I used to hate exercising. I remember the first time I tried out a stationery bike; I was exhausted after only five minutes (and that was on the lowest resistance level on the bike!). Now it feels good to be able to push myself pretty hard for an hour without feeling like dying. :-) I've gotten hooked on the endorphins; I actually like working up a sweat, to feel somewhat sore the next day.





I'm proud of the fact that I've lost the twenty pounds I put on during my corporate stress experience. It took me over a year, but I can now fit into my pre-Xlibris clothes again. :-) I know I'm not as fit as some others my age, but I feel pretty good these days. I don't deprive myself of my favourite treats (like CHOCOLATE!) but I'm more aware of what I'm eating and drinking, and cook at home more often.

For me, the main key has been consistency. Even if I'm running super-short on time, I try to carve out a bit every day to do something physical. If I don't have time for a full workout, I go for a walk. Or take the stairs, or do some stretches between bouts at the computer, or ab exercises or lift hand weights I keep at home.

I've found that the toughest part is in the beginning, when I have to establish a new habit. My tendency is to go overboard ("I'll get up at 4 am and do a 2 hour workout everyday! Yeah, that's it!!") rather than start with realistic goals from the start, and then gradually ramp up. Too easy to fail, and then it becomes easy to just give up.





Blatherings Follow-up

I recently got an e-mail from Judith Hayman re: questions that came up early in Blatherings or Blatherchat about FKO.

She says that "the Interfilk item went for $700 CDN, which is a 'number' record and a Canadian dollar record, but, given the CDN-US exchange, not an absolute record. The item was won by Zev Sero, a NYC area filker. The auction total was a Canadian record but not an absolute record. Both of these belong to GaFilk, 2001."

She also says that she wishes she could post Tanya Huff's letter of thanks to the con for her wonderful time. "She was totally sincere. We may even see her back <g>."

Judith says she hasn't answered these questions in Blatherchat because she's "not much on web-based e-mail", but invites people who want to discuss FKO-related issues to participate in her FKO mailing list.

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Today's Blatherpics:

	The sign on the construction site in front our building. I'm *highly* tempted to write something interesting on a sign and tape it just underneath. If you have any suggestions, please post them in Blatherchat. :-)
	Daniel and Melissa Glasser kindly gave me permission to re-post any of their FKO photos on my Blatherings, so I've decided to post some of my faves. See here for other Glasser photos from FKO 12. I love this one of Ingrid and Steve (who are laughing because of something Dave Weingart is saying, I believe).
	Judith and Dave Hayman at FKO. I really like the lighting in this picture. Photo by Daniel Glasser.
	Kathleen was trying to convince me to buy her beaded Christmas penguin necklace at the Interfilk auction (she's sitting in my lap in the photo). I was sad because the price had gone above my limit! Kathleen is pretending to be sad for me. :-D Photo by Daniel Glasser.
	I like this picture of Terence boxed in by Seanan, Erica and Melissa. Terence claims they were huddled around a heating vent, trying to draw out as much heat as possible. Photo by Daniel Glasser. (By the way, did you hear that Terence might be moving to Toronto?)

blonde

The photo above was taken by Daniel Glasser (Jodi, Allison and me, performing "Life Is A Bowl Of Oreo Cookies" in honour of Lissa), modified in Photoshop by Chris Conway. So now I know what I'd look like as a blonde. :-)

Thanks to Gary McGath for sending the photo below, which he took during Joey Shoji's concert at FilKONtario. From left to right: me, Allison, Jodi, Anke, Joey, Dave Weingart.





My FKO time off was fun, but I'm back into workmode now. Upcoming deadlines: short story collab with Michelle, my new marketing and promotion column for Writing-World.com, some Web work I'm doing for Moira Allen. JBR called last night and said he saw my piece in the current issue of Cottage Life magazine (he has a subscription); I have to remember to go buy a copy tomorrow!

I've also been invited to take the "Hot Seat" in misc.writing next Tuesday. I haven't decided whether this is an honour or a punishment yet. :-) From what I can tell, people in the Hot Seat basically do an often intense online Q&A session in the newsgroup. Sometimes the discussion gets pretty heated and erupts into a flamewar. Sometimes several flamewars.

I'm a bit nervous (I suspect I might get grilled about the whole Inkspot/Xlibris experience) but also looking forwards to it. I've been lurking in misc.writing since returning from my sabbatical, wanting to participate more but feeling somewhat shy about it. Nothing like a baptism by fire to force me to start speaking up more. :-)

re: shyness. I've always thought of myself as shy, though I know that some who see me performing with Urban Tapestry would disagree. :-) Funny thing is, I find that sometimes acting goofy on stage is a great cover-up for my deeply-ingrained shyness. Does that make any sense? I'm sure some of you are also thinking, "Yeah right, how can you be shy and have a public online journal?!" Good point, except that only a tiny percentage of what's going on in my head ever makes it into my Blatherings (and that could be reassuring or scary, depending on how well you know me :-)).

Poll Question: Do you consider yourself an introvert or extrovert? Post your answer in Blatherchat.

Jeff and I had some of Dave's leftover chili for dinner last night. It tasted even better than the day before!

Going through some post-con blues and really missing people right now.

Glad I have a ton of work to do. :-)

Guest Blathering: Dave

The photo above is of Shane McEwan holding the Visual Effects Oscar that the Weta Digital team won. Shane has made several appearances in my Waiting For Frodo comic. Many thanks to his girlfriend Jill for sending the picture! :-)

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Guest Blather by Dave

"Good morning all, Dave here.

And here is certainly a fine place to be, delightful company, delightful harp music to wake to, delightful friends who drop in and share chili. :) Yesterday I overslept getting up just after 1:00 PM. That Debbie, she should have woken me earlier. Visiting time is all too short to waste it sleeping. I set my alarm this morning. :)

Now there's a curious thing. I'm wondering how many of you have had this happen. I set my alarm for 8:30 am. I woke and decided to turn off the alarm before it went off. As I reached for the clock the alarm started. This is not the first time I've had this happen. It is as though I've set a clock going internally that is in synch with external clocks. Hmmm, maybe we are slowly evolving towards a hybrid mechanistic creature. Either that or Debbie was tickling my toe to wake me and I didn't realize it. :)

We had a fine half day yesterday. After shopping for a few ingredients Debbie helped me cook up a batch of chili. I passed on my secret recipe after she swore not to reveal it to others. From all accounts it turned out acceptable. Allison came over to help us eat it and spend a few delighytful hours catching up. Even though we were all at FKO this past weekend (and another fine FKO it was too, thanks to all the concom for hosting this party) we did not get much time together. I have found this to be a problem at most cons. Now-a-days I try to come early and stay late to get in much needed visiting time with those near and dear to me.

This afternoon I'll be heading to my home town of Port Dover to spend a couple weeks with my Mom and sisters. In fact, all of my family, aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and so on live in that general area. I guess I'm the only one who wandered out of the fold. Hmmm, does that make me the "black sheep"? But before I leave I hope to get Debbie to record some of her harp music with me. The blend of her marvellous harp and my guitar makes a lovely music. I've already offered to play accompaniment for her on her next world tour.

Speaking of getting on the road I'll sign off now. Debbie is cracking the whip. Time to go and make lovely music together. :) Love and happiness to all.

When are they going to invent that transporter and time machine? There's always too much distance and too little time."

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Debbie here again...

No Dave Clement guest blathering yesterday, sorry. He slept in until 1:30 pm (!). That guy sure knows how to sleep. I started out by tiptoeing around, trying not to wake him up; I know that he didn't get much sleep during FKO weekend.

Around 10 a.m., though, I quit worrying so much about keeping quiet. Went into the kitchen and made breakfast, banged pots around, ate breakfast, cleaned up. Dave kept sleeping. I finally resorted to playing my harp (which is right beside the pull-out couch) louder and louder until he woke up. He was horrified to find out how long he had slept, and I've promised to wake him up earlier today.

Dave's visit has been a lot of fun...in addition to the music, we've spent a lot of time just hanging out and talking. He made his famous chili last night for Allison, Jeff and me (see photo below):





Jeff said it was the best chili he's ever had in his life. I have to agree! Yum, and we have a ton of leftovers in the fridge. We called Beckett last night, and Dave and I played one of our new harp and guitar arrangements at her. We all really, really missed Beckett at FKO.

One of the many reasons I enjoy Dave's visits so much is because they makes me look at everything around me differently. When Dave and I were outside walking around, for example, I was so much more aware of things that sighted people take for granted, such as the sidewalk curb at the other side of the street, the need to know which way a cab is facing before getting in, the confusion of noise in a crowded space.

The main reason I enjoy Dave's visits, though, is just because of Dave himself. I always end up wishing I was more like him in some way...more benevolent, good-natured, patient, adventurous. I highly recommend Dave as a houseguest; he inevitably leaves you and your household in better mental shape than when he arrives. :-)

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Daniel Glasser's FKO photos are online! I rarely get photos of myself or of all three of us at conventions since I'm usually the only one with a camera in Urban Tapestry, so got a kick out of looking through these pictures. Many thanks to the Glassers for making them publicly viewable!

Here are a few I especially liked or found amusing:

* The Canadiana Jam on Friday night: Graham, Jodi, Allison, me, Tom & Dave. I'm wearing the "Get Filk" t-shirt that Lyanne gave me for my birthday.

* Dave Weingart's concert: Ellen and I were helping him out on his last song. (and I got a kiss after, woohoo! :-))

* Tanya Huff doing a reading.

* Anke encourages Gary during the Interfilk auction.

* Our Interfilk donation being auctioned off: Graham was the auctioneer, with Kathleen as runner. Check out Kathleen's slinky musical dress!

* Me plotting revenge on Andrea when her Interfilk donation is revealed.

* Hey, I didn't know Daniel was taking this photo! Me in the open filk circle on Saturday night. Andrea gave me one of the Debbie Humiliation t-shirts and I actually ended up wearing it because it was so cold in the room. :-)

* Urban Tapestry performing "Precious Moments", one of Lissa's choices in the Filk Hall of Fame concert.

* Allison introduces "Life Is A Bowl of Oreo Cookies" just before we perform it, another on of Lissa's choices.

* I'm not sure what was happening, but I love this picture of Ingrid and Steve.

* Alan and I performing "Under His Blankie" in the Filk Hall of Fame concert.

* Mary Ellen, Alan and I performing "Home Is Wherever" as the last song in the Filk Hall of Fame concert. Corwin cooperated throughout the song by making sleepy baby noises but mainly just snoozing.

Dave Clement visit

(Dave Clement Guest Blathering coming later today or tomorrow!)

Jeff took the photo above: Dave Clement and I were jamming on harp and guitar last night...SO fun. He added very cool guitar twiddles to my rendition of Maids of Mourne Shore (Kim Robertson arrangement) and also taught me an O'Carolan tune. We're going to work on both some more today, plus perhaps one or two others, and record it on tape. Sadly, I haven't had a chance to fully set up Jeff's birthday present to me (my home recording studio) so we'll have to rely on the ancient Fostex 4-track, but I think it would still be fun to have a recording. :-)

Allison's coming over tonight to visit. Dave's going to show me how to make his famous chili recipe!

Some more FKO and post-FKO photos (Daniel Glasser will have photos up on his site soon)...

Andrea and Gray performing in the open filk on Saturday night:





Another con highlight for me was seeing Andy and Martin Gordon-Kerr again. This photo was taken at their concert:





Rand in the audience just before one of the concerts:





Reid asked in Blatherchat whether "Mary Ellen" referred to Mary Ellen Wessels. The answer is yes! And sorry, I have no photo of Clif because he wasn't at the convention. Reid met both Clif and MEW when they came to visit Toronto a long while ago. Hm...or maybe he met them when he and I went to OVFF I (the first OVFF). Anyway, this photo is for Reid, and was taken when Mary Ellen was performing with Joey in his concert:





Lyanne in the Saturday night filk (the room was really cold, as you can tell!):





Paul giving Kathleen Sloan one of his famous patented good-bye twirly-hugs:





Dave, Katy and Ju, just after Dave sprayed Katy and Ju with the contents of his Coke bottle. Okay, so maybe that's just what he was pretending to do in his photo. In reality, Katy and Ju had just been splashed by a truck driving through a big puddle.





After dropping Katy and Ju off at their terminal, Dave & Tom & I had dinner at the Mars Dining Cafe at the Toronto airport.

Dave has agreed to do a Guest Blathering during his visit, yay! I'll post that later today or tomorrow, depending on when he wakes up (he's still asleep as I type this :-)).