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It's June! Is your book written yet?
5 years ago
Friday, November 6, 2009
Bad Writing Contracts
http://www.badwritingcontracts.ca/
Bad Writing Contracts is a consortium urging writers to boycott Transcontinental. Info was sent out today by the Nova Scotia Writers' Federation along with info about how to have your contract reviewed if you do enter into one with Transcontinental.
The link is above.
Colleen
Bad Writing Contracts is a consortium urging writers to boycott Transcontinental. Info was sent out today by the Nova Scotia Writers' Federation along with info about how to have your contract reviewed if you do enter into one with Transcontinental.
The link is above.
Colleen
Thursday, November 5, 2009
Teaching boys about condoms
My son was home-schooled through high school. Not because of any problems but because he was miserable and bored.
I give you this background not for any political reason but so you understand that the logistical part of sex ed has been denied him.
Oh, we've talked about sex. Responsibility, pleasure, safety. He knows the score. (I hope.)
When my late bloomer announced that he was finally ready to date, however, I realized that, at some time in the foreseeable future, safe sex and condom use would no longer be relegated to the realm of academic discussion. And then I wondered: What if he was too shy to purchase them?
When my daughter was in high school, the health office had a bowlful of them that kids could nonchalantly walk beside and scoop up as needed.
What resources would my son have?
None. Just me.
So, I bought a box of them and brought them home and told him to pay attention. I proceeded to show him how to use one by slipping one over my fingers. (What can I say, we didn't have a banana in the house.)
He was, in a word, mortified.
He told me that I had scarred him for life.
He announced that he'd be in therapy for years to come.
And then, last night, in front of a friend and me, he told her all about it, laughing. It has become one of those things we share and tease each other about -- like we do about almost everything.
It seems my presentation is no longer mortifying and, because of it, he has no excuse not to be safe.
Sometimes, as a parent, you have to do something risky to get a kid's attention. Another discussion about safe sex wouldn't have had the same impact.
And I feel pretty good about this.
Colleen
I give you this background not for any political reason but so you understand that the logistical part of sex ed has been denied him.
Oh, we've talked about sex. Responsibility, pleasure, safety. He knows the score. (I hope.)
When my late bloomer announced that he was finally ready to date, however, I realized that, at some time in the foreseeable future, safe sex and condom use would no longer be relegated to the realm of academic discussion. And then I wondered: What if he was too shy to purchase them?
When my daughter was in high school, the health office had a bowlful of them that kids could nonchalantly walk beside and scoop up as needed.
What resources would my son have?
None. Just me.
So, I bought a box of them and brought them home and told him to pay attention. I proceeded to show him how to use one by slipping one over my fingers. (What can I say, we didn't have a banana in the house.)
He was, in a word, mortified.
He told me that I had scarred him for life.
He announced that he'd be in therapy for years to come.
And then, last night, in front of a friend and me, he told her all about it, laughing. It has become one of those things we share and tease each other about -- like we do about almost everything.
It seems my presentation is no longer mortifying and, because of it, he has no excuse not to be safe.
Sometimes, as a parent, you have to do something risky to get a kid's attention. Another discussion about safe sex wouldn't have had the same impact.
And I feel pretty good about this.
Colleen
Calorie burn calculators
I walked to Clay Cafe yesterday to meet my daughter for a few hours of clay painting. When we were done, I walked back home.
It's a 3.3 km walk in each direction.
Today I tried to find an online calculator to figure out how many calories I burned. Each calculator gave me a different number and spanned the range from over 200 calories to over 1000 calories. Really?
I wouldn't have thought it would be that difficult to figure.
Anyone know of a reliable source?
Colleen
It's a 3.3 km walk in each direction.
Today I tried to find an online calculator to figure out how many calories I burned. Each calculator gave me a different number and spanned the range from over 200 calories to over 1000 calories. Really?
I wouldn't have thought it would be that difficult to figure.
Anyone know of a reliable source?
Colleen
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
There's coffee all over the friggin' place
Can someone tell me why the makers of coffee machines are incapable of creating a carafe with a spout deep enough to enable the pourer to fill a mug in under 15 minutes without leaking all over the counter?
C'mon people.
At $130 you should be able to provide an adequate spout.
Colleen
C'mon people.
At $130 you should be able to provide an adequate spout.
Colleen
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Yesterday
Down another four pounds this week. Take that, Mom! HA!
On another less glorious note, I mistakenly thought my writer's group was to meet yesterday and bused over to Clayton Park only to discover that our schedule had a hiccup and we're meeting next week. I took the opportunity to have lunch with my daughter so it made the trip worthwhile.
Today, my son starts his new job as a server (promotion from host/busperson). It's the first time he has to bus to work so of course I had to call him to make sure the bus arrived on time so he wouldn't be late. (Okay, I know I worry too much but wait till your kids are at that age when you have to start treating them like adults. It's not that easy.)
Now, I'm going to do a bit of yoga to get the day off to a good start, do some laundry and get down to some work!
Have a great day!
Colleen
On another less glorious note, I mistakenly thought my writer's group was to meet yesterday and bused over to Clayton Park only to discover that our schedule had a hiccup and we're meeting next week. I took the opportunity to have lunch with my daughter so it made the trip worthwhile.
Today, my son starts his new job as a server (promotion from host/busperson). It's the first time he has to bus to work so of course I had to call him to make sure the bus arrived on time so he wouldn't be late. (Okay, I know I worry too much but wait till your kids are at that age when you have to start treating them like adults. It's not that easy.)
Now, I'm going to do a bit of yoga to get the day off to a good start, do some laundry and get down to some work!
Have a great day!
Colleen
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