A Room Of My Own

I am beginning to abhor his e-mail, and now the phone when the call is made in transit from one place to another – neither leading to me. His voice is often laboured from the walking and his attention is anything but undivided. This cheats me. Once during an awkward call our voices, our breath, just lingered on the phone. He had called me at work which he knew limited me in my reactions, prevented me from being open and honest, prevented me from telling him to go fuck himself. He could feel my impatience; he began speaking rapidly to fill the void, to fill the silence, to suppress the frustration in me. He described where he was – I did not care – it was not here. “I’m staring at a parking lot full of water” he said, which suggested to me that he must go now as he had arrived at his destination. I said nothing. After a brief pause, he attempted to fill the void again, he wanted to talk about anything, nothing - he just wanted to avoid the reality of this situation. “There is a puzzle p...

It is distressing and staggering that in this day illiteracy is still alive and growing in numbers around the world. The immediate connection between illiteracy and poverty is clear. With specific mention to women, who make up two thirds of the illiterate population, this must change. The following is an except from UNESCO on literacy; September 08, 2009 Objective :On International Literacy Day each year, UNESCO reminds the international community of the status of literacy and adult learning globally. September 8 was proclaimed International Literacy Day by UNESCO on November 17, 1965. It was first celebrated in 1966. Its aim is to highlight the importance of literacy to individuals, communities and societies. On International Literacy Day each year, UNESCO reminds the international community of the status of literacy and adult learning globally. Celebrations take place around the world. Some 774 million adults lack minimum literacy skills; one in five adults is still not literate and...

This is a recording of Virginia Woolf as published electronically through The Book Bench with The New Yorker . I knew I had stumbled on a treasure when I saw this. Her words continue to inspire me, but there was just something so visceral, so palpable in hearing her speak her own words, listening to her pause and then emphasize certain words, it left me content. The next time a pick up one of her novels, I hope to hear her voice inside my head. “This is presumed to be the only surviving recording of Virginia Woolf. It was recorded on April 29, 1937, as part of a BBC radio broadcast series called “Words Fail Me.” Woolf would have been fifty-five at the time.” (Partial transcript in this recording) … Words, English words, are full of echoes, of memories, of associations. They have been out and about, on people's lips, in their houses, in the streets, in the fields, for so many centuries. And that is one of the chief difficulties in writing them today – that they are stored with oth...

Over the weekend, as I sat outside on the summer kitchen porch, I wrote. I had risen early that Saturday morning (unlike me), snuck about the house to make strong coffee and attempted to not wake anyone with my putterings. Let me be clear and honest, this was not out of respect to allow the family a sleep in, but rather selfishly to afford myself some quiet time. The strong coffee was grande in these early hours and I began my morning hiatus reading Nino Ricci’s The Origin of Species . I had waited in a rather long queue at the local library for this book, eagerly and excitedly signed it out when my turn came round, only to find a copy new-to-me for sale at the same library. Out of pure and raw need to possess (Buddha I continue to fail) I now have both copies in my possession. I don’t really understand my happiness at this. Anyways, I was reading away, and drinking my breakfast when I was inspired by the early morning air, the smell of basil nestled in the pots about me, the wind as i...

Writing can get complicated. It is one of those professions that Canadian society would like to consider a hobby. It carries with it a cloud of mystery, a reputation of late sleepers who rebel against the working class and drink a lot. Admittedly some of that may be true to an extent, but considering this attitude an absolute can have a peculiar way of playing on writer’s insecurities. Should one admit to being a writer, they may find themselves being questioned on their ‘real’ job. My suggestion, hang out with more like minded people, i.e. writers. Check your local listings for writing festivals; you may be quite surprised at the variety of the events and the quality of the information. It is a great chance to meet other authors and muse over what is out there for you to explore. PRINCE EDWARD COUNTY AUTHORS FESTIVAL 2009 All readings will be held in the loft space above Books and Company Bookstore, 289 Main Street, Picton. Book-lovers can buy a Festival Pass for $15 to attend any an...

Poetry is making a long overdue comeback, even if it is only in my life, my eyes, my important circle in this world. And, I choose to include the poetry of Lorna Crozier in that circle. Her recent book The Blue Hour of the Day rests on my bedside table and has been of great comfort and inspiration to me since Christmas when I received it as a gift. The gift of poetry. The power of poetry. If I could send Lorna Crozier a message it would be that I value her poetry. She once wrote in ‘ Who’s Listening ?’ published in the NeWest Review in February/March 1989 that even she needs “to be reminded that poetry somewhere has value” and she adds “I write in case someone, anyone, is listening.” Lorna, we are listening and reading and singing too. Last night during the Music on Main at the Cellar Jazz Club & Restaurant in Vancouver B.C., poems from The Sex Lives of Vegetables by Crozier were set to music and performed by Leslie Uyeda. This is just one of the unique ways Lorna has inspired us...

It is not official, but the Conservative government has been mumbling about cutting funding to all magazines under 5000 circulation. I personally think that is worth kicking up a fuss about. Current editor of The Malahat Review, an Arts and Literary magazine put out by the University of Victoria is making noise and has started a Facebook group which I strongly encourage you to join and support. http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=53103444468&ref=mf Further reading on this issue can be found at a fellow blog Biblioasis which is “a publishing house committed to the best fiction, poetry, criticism and non-fiction in beautiful editions”. http://biblioasis.blogspot.com/2009/03/in-peril.html Keep reading, writing, painting or whatever art genre you love! Places for Writers is a great online list of places to start submitting! http://www.placesforwriters.com/