Posts from the “Argument” Category

Costco Parking Lot Peril

Posted on May 26, 2016

Who would have thought the parking lot of Costco on a Wednesday morning would be the scene of high drama? Usually, the only angst I’ve seen is at the sample tables, when some unruly lounger eager to taste that sauteed sweet potato pierogi, the sugar-free kale, kiwi and coconut water smoothie or the tomato, bulgur and cheese veggie burger cuts into the line. As I pulled into the driveway, I noticed the flashing lights of two firetrucks and three police vehicles. Awfully heavy response to shoplifting or a car fire, thinks I. The day was the warmest of the season so far. My air conditioning had been blasting, trying to cool down my car. Two other grey panther ladies and I stood chatting in…

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Categories: Argument

Blackface…May 2016?

Posted on May 3, 2016

Yikes. I haven’t posted for a week. Do I feel guilty? Sort of. ‘They’ say develop good writing habits and be consistent, so that your readers anticipate your next post, like it’s a gift or nugget of wit and/or wisdom. I retreated to my fall-back get-inspired position – be observant and take photographs, then write. Yesterday, I met a friend for coffee. She’s a published author and a lovely person. In fact, we had talked about going into business together to offer writing courses, but after a flurry of initial planning and curriculum development and searching for a suitable location, we came to the simultaneous realization that we’d rather write than teach others how to do it well. As much as we’d have liked…

Wise Words from Arlene Dickinson

Posted on April 6, 2016

It seems we’re always rushing, rushing. Glancing at our watches or smartphones to know the time. Yet, we complain there aren’t enough hours in the day to do what we have planned. And we tumble into a vortex governed by seconds, minutes and hours while often losing sight of what’s more important. That’s not a great way to live. Consider this – it’s April 1st, and aside from the folks who’ll waste precious time on silly pranks, we’re almost into spring. Where have the first three months of the year gone? Have you accomplished all of your tasks? Thank you, Arlene Dickinson – Facebook [I don’t believe it’s a coincidence that Arlene is such a fine writer – shades of Emily.] Desiderata. Penned in…

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Categories: Argument, Modern life

Resume ‘Whitening’

Posted on March 18, 2016

The only true ‘colour blindness’ is a medical condition, colour vision deficiency . In the real world, we all see and interpret colour in our own way, whether it’s the sky, flowers or people. Yes, I said it. Live with it. Colour IS. But it’s what people do about it that makes you go, ‘what?’ Just when you think there’s nothing surprising, you come across an article like the one I read today in the Toronto Star. My jaw dropped. I’ve heard of folks fudging their credentials to make themselves appear more qualified. As a manager in a past life, I’d review employment summaries and educational attainments that were, frankly, fictional, in the context of the applicant’s work history, skills and interests. The tip-off…

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Categories: Argument

Take it up a Notch with Digital Storytelling

Posted on March 15, 2016

As if my scattered mind doesn’t have enough to contemplate, I signed up for another excellent online course offered by Future Learn. Digital Storytelling takes students through the why, what and how of using video or other visual media to tell stories. While the focus is on short films, the lessons on what is story, the elements of compelling story and storyboarding apply equally to writing fiction, non-fiction and poetry. Why am I interested? I want to start telling stories, digitally. It’s something new, but not so new. Elementary schools, arts faculties, enlightened correctional institutions and regular folk are using digital storytelling as a medium of expression with visual and audio elements. I can’t wait to set up a YouTube Channel as part of my…

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Categories: Argument, Arts, writing