In light of my recent despair of the consequences of the written word,  I have searched for inspiration and muse. Keri Smith has again lifted my spirits and taken me closer to the surface.

small things you can do to change your perspective

(an ongoing list)

1. Change the height at which you perform everyday tasks. (i.e. brush your teeth while on your knees.)

2. Look under every object you encounter for a week.

3. Wear sunglasses all day (inside and outside). Notice how it feels to take them off.

4. Alter your body somehow so as to impede your motor function slightly. i.e. tie two fingers together.

5. For one day greet everyone you encounter with "top o' the morning to ya!"

6. Speak through a tube, (paper towel tube).

7. Move frequently used items (i.e. salt and pepper shakers) to places they are not normally found.

8. Place something small behind your ear for an entire day. See if you forget about it. (my husband does this)

9. Cut your food into new and interesting shapes. Arrange your dinner (or your table items) into a "grid" formation.

10. Exclude one vowel from all of your emails.

11. For one month create all of your correspondence on an outdated form of technology. (i.e. typewriter, pen & paper, dictaphone).

12. Add something to your name. ("the 3rd", "the great", "the illustrious") Alternate: Add some letters to your name but don't tell anyone.

13. Sponsor a contest based on an everyday task. (i.e. "Contest for person whose socks stay up consistently")


Now to muster up the courage to do at least one of them (without getting fired!)
 

I haven’t posted for awhile.

 

I was talking to someone the other day about writing, and we both admitted we didn’t really like it. I always thought I liked writing until I studied it in college and pursued it professionally. When you learn how to write the “right” way, it’s just no fun anymore.

 

Grammatical errors glare at me; sloppy syntax sickens me; spelling mistakes miff me; alliteration annoys me. I can’t just write and forget about it. It has to be perfect – every time - and the words just drill into my soul and I just can’t stop revising.

 

It’s called obsession and makes me want to drink. A lot. I wrote an article for The Other Press two years ago called “The Six Qualities of a Writer” and I keep referring to them. They have become a religion, rules to live by. They keep ringing true.

 

That is my disclaimer these days. I told my other friend who is a full-time creative writer that writing depresses me. He reminded me that comes with the territory – that is what being a writer is all about. Being permanently depressed, obsessive compulsive, alcoholic and anxious? I mean, I always knew that but now I’m realizing that is not fun and not cool as a permanent career choice. I thought writing would take away those symptoms, but lately it seems to enhance them.

 

Writing seems to bring out the dark thoughts and places in my mind. A writing instructor once told me that when you first start writing, you are at the bottom of a well of grief and you have make your way up through the murkiness to the surface of healing and happier places.

 

I’ve been swimming in these waters for five years. I wonder when this well of grief will drain away to dry contentment. I guess I’m not finished yet. The muddy waters are just too deep to be stirred. Someone toss me a coin.

 

Well of Grief

by David Whyte

Those who will not slip beneath
the still surface on the well of grief

turning downward through its black water
to the place we cannot breathe

will never know the source from which we drink,
the secret water, cold and clear,

nor find in the darkness glimmering
the small round coins
thrown by those who wished for something else.

 

Halloween is a holiday with lots of creepy wildlife associated with it, but are they really so creepy? From toads to bats to owls, the National Wildlife Federation shares the facts about these animals and what they are up to at this time of year, which might dispel a few myths.

Bats

 

Blood sucking vampire bats are real – but they mostly feed on chickens and cows and only live in Latin America. Most North American bats are insect eaters, feeding on everything from moths to mosquitoes to beetles. They use echolocation to find their prey, which is kind of like radar, rather than eyesight. They tend to have beady little eyes and weird-shaped faces which makes them look scary. But those faces help capture sound waves bouncing off of prey and other objects and funnel those waves to their ears.

Many bat species are entering into hibernation in caves or hollow trees, but some fly south for the winter just like birds.

Spiders

Spiders, with their eight legs and multiple eyes, are creatures right out of nightmares—and their sticky webs and venomous fangs don’t help their public image either. But even though they might look scary, spiders are actually extremely beneficial predators of all sorts of insect pests. And only three species in the U.S. that have venom considered strong enough to hurt people: the black widow, the brown recluse and the hobo, and spider bites from these are very rare.

In the fall, female spiders are guarding egg sacks which hold the next generation of spiders.

Toads

Toads are not just a key ingredient in witches’ brew, they are important environmental indicators. All amphibians are susceptible to environmental toxins because of their sensitive skin. They are usually the first species to die out in polluted areas. If you have healthy toad populations in your area, it’s a good sign that your neighborhood is fairly unpolluted. And no, you cannot catch warts from touching a toad.

Toads are voracious pest predators in the warm months, but go into underground hibernation by late fall and won’t emerge until spring. Click here for fun toad and frog facts!

Wolves

The howl of the wolf can cause either heart-rending terror or spiritual inspiration. People have either vilified or glorified wolves throughout history, but the real life wild canines are neither hounds from hell or spiritual guides. In reality, gray wolves are top predators that play a key role in balancing the ecosystem. They control deer and other prey populations as well as other predators lower down on the food chain, like coyotes and raccoons.

Once found throughout North America, the only remaining gray wolf populations live in limited regions of the United States and Canada in wilderness areas. They go out of their way to avoid humans. At this time of year, they are in the process of growing their thick winter coats to guard against winter’s bitter temperatures.

Snakes

          

The slithering, legless body. The forked tongue. The lidless eyes. Everything about a snake is decidedly non-human. But even though they strike fear in many people, most snake species are completely harmless. In fact, snakes are enormously beneficial, helping to control insect and rodent pests. The only time a snake will try to bite is if it’s cornered or startled. The natural reaction of all snakes to people is to get away or hide.

By late October, most snakes are moving to their underground hibernation grounds, where they will doze away the cold months waiting for the warmer days of spring.

Owls

The nocturnal habits, glowing eyes and utterly silent flight make these predatory birds the epitome of eeriness. It turns out that all of those things are simply adaptations for survival. Owls are nocturnal to avoid competition for prey with day-flying hawks. Their giant eyes and the fringed feathers that make no noise when the bird is flying allow them to hunt in the darkness.

                         
 

Most owls are year-round residents and don’t migrate. Listen for the hoot-hoot-hoot of the great horned owl or the whinnying shriek of the screech owl when you’re trick or treating this year!

Now that you know the truth about these valuable wildlife, get outside and look for these cool animals.You might consider attracting them to your yard (except the wolves) The National Wildlife Federation shows you how to turn your property into a wildlife habitat at http://www.nwf.org/gardenforwildlife

© 2008 Newswise

The other day I was out for lunch with my significant other (S.O.) and his mother, who was visiting from France. We went to a mom-and-pop sandwich place we frequent often, so we are on friendly terms with the owner who works behind the counter. 
   

These links are taken from the website Childfree.net, the Child-Free-By-Choice pages, to learn how to cope with the idiotic questions and comments we get from the conservative mainstream: 

You're Being Selfish  http://www.childfree.net/potpourri_selfish.html

Preparation for Parenthood http://www.childfree.net/potpourri_prep.html

This one is from Ann Lander's Childless Couple - very witty http://www.childfree.net/potpourri_annlanders.html

Why is it so important for you to have a baby? http://www.childfree.net/potpourri_whybaby.html

How Childless couples get the short end of the stick when it comes to benefits http://www.childfree.net/potpourri_lift.html

Couples in no-kid marriages happiest http://www.childfree.net/potpourri_couples.html

Celebrity/Notable Child-Frees http://www.childfree.net/potpourri_celebrity.html

 

* A clean home is a healthy home, right? Not necessarily. It turns out the very efforts to rid your living pace  of dirt, dust, mildew and grime might make it a more dangerous environment for you and your family. And you’re not the only ones who could suffer: Many of the ingredients in household cleaners contaminate the air and water as well as thousands of organisms, from algae to wildlife, when they are washed down drains and make their way into the ecosystem. WHAT’S WRONG WITH WHAT’S ON THE MARKET “Conventional commercial cleaners are some of the most toxic substances you can bring into our home,” says Linda Mason Hunter, home ecology specialist and co-author of Green Clean: The Environmentally Sound Guide to Cleaning Your Home. “Many of the chemicals found in cleaners have only been around since World War II, and they’ve never been tested for long-term health effects.” The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has found that the immediate health risks associated with the use of conventional household cleaning products include asthma attacks, headaches, dizziness, visual disorders and memory impairment. Additionally, a 1987 study by the EPA determined that the air inside a typical home is up to ten times more polluted than the air outside the home because of the toxic chemicals many of us use to scrub and sanitize. They include the following: Formaldehyde a volatile organic compound, found in liquid cleaners and floor polishes, that is suspected of causing cancer. Chlorine bleach (sodium hypochlorite) a toxic compound that irritates the respiratory system and emits poisonous vapors when combined with ammonia or vinegar. Petroleum distillates (naphthas) nonrenewable, oil-based resources found in furniture and floor polishes that can affect the central nervous system and lead to cognitive and behavioral problems. Pesticides and fungicides such as chlorine and alkyl ammonium chlorides, found in most conventional antibacterial cleaners and mildew removers. They can cause skin irritation and nervous system damage. POLISH OFF OR PITCH OUT? There are two ways to go about switching over to eco-friendly products: gradually replace your scrubs and sprays as you use them up, or toss toxin-filled items out once and for all. Experts are split on the issue, but Annie Berthold-Bond, author of Clean & Green: The Complete Guide to Non-Toxic and Environmentally Safe Housekeeping, cautions that there are a few situations in which she suggests making an immediate change. “If the home contains young children or anyone who is pregnant, sick or sensitive to chemicals, contact your local recycling center about disposing of your toxic cleaning products,” she recommends. If you choose to deplete your supply of conventional household cleaners before replacing them with safer alternatives, carefully follow the instructions to avoid toxic reactions, always wear gloves when you clean, and make sure your home has lots of ventilation while you’re scrubbing—even an open window or two can help get the fumes out. MAKE A LIFELONG CHANGE Once you start using natural cleaning agents, you’ll find it hard to believe you ever allowed something labeled “Hazardous” into your house. Here are a few of the products we’ve taken a shine to, plus some tried-and-true homemade options you can make with everyday pantry items such as baking soda and vinegar. Store-bought or homemade, they’re all reasonably priced, readily available and really work at keeping things spotlessly clean—without compromising your health or the environment. AMAZING ALL-PURPOSE LIQUIDS Earth Friendly Products’ Creamy Cleanser Who wouldn’t choose lovely scented lemon oil over petroleum-based products for cleaning porcelain and stainless steel surfaces that directly touch dishes (in the kitchen sink) and your delicate skin (in the bathroom)? This grease-cutting cream gives them all sparkle and shine, without scratching. $3/16 oz. 800.335.3267; ecos.com The air inside a typical home is up to ten times more polluted than the air outside. Bi-O-Kleen’s Spray & Wipe Cleaner Grease-cutting, disinfecting grapefruit seed extract and orange oil make this a versatile liquid for everything from countertops and toilets to laundry and upholstery stains. It’s even safe enough to use on dolls, teddies and that muddy toy dump truck. $5/32 oz. 800.477.0188; bi-o-kleen.com Homemade Option: baking soda and vinegar Mix 1 cup each water and vinegar plus 2 Tbs. baking soda in spray bottle. Use as you would any cleaning liquid. FABULOUS CARPET AND FLOOR SCRUBBERS Seventh Generation’s Natural Citrus Carpet Cleaner The hydrogen peroxide (a powerful bleaching agent) safely replaces the neurotoxin butyl cellosolve and the possible carcinogen perchloroethylene in conventional carpet foams and sprays. The nonaerosol spritz loosens ground-in dirt, dissolves stains and eliminates odors. Plus, your just-cleaned carpet will be safe enough for little ones to crawl around on. $5/32 oz. 800.456.1191; seventhgeneration.com Homemade Option: Shaving Cream Spray foam shaving cream on carpet stains, let stand 30 minutes, then rub with a sponge and vacuum. Earth Friendly Products’ Floor Kleener This natural alternative to petroleumbased cleaners is made of coconut and lemon oils that condition and cleanse hardwood and laminate floors without stripping them or leaving chalky streaks. Vinegar in the formula dissolves grease and wax buildup. $3.79/22 oz. 800.335.3267; ecos.com Homemade Option: vinegar and warm water Mop floor with a solution of 1/2 cup distilled vinegar and 1 gallon warm water. SUPER SCRATCH-FREE SCOURER Bon Ami Polishing Cleanser Talk about standing the test of time! For over 120 years, Bon Ami has been chlorine-, dye- and fragrance-free. The all-purpose cleansing powder has naturally abrasive minerals that cut grease and add shine without scratching surfaces. $1.39/14 oz. 800.846.1230; bonami.com Homemade option: baking soda and lemon Sprinkle baking soda on a used lemon half and use as a scratch-free scrubber on counters, tiles and stainless steel. WONDER WINDOW TREATMENT Mrs. Meyer’s Clean Day Window Spray (Lemon Verbena Scent) Renewable, biodegradable plant-based surfactants in this spray provide the same streak-free shine as ammonia-laced blue liquids. What’s more, the fragrance acts as an aromatherapy pick-me-up to get you through doing all the windows. $5/20 oz. 877.865.1508; mrsmeyers.com Homemade option: vinegar and newspaper Mix equal parts white vinegar and water in spray bottle, spritz on glass surfaces and wipe with newsprint for a streak-free shine that won’t leave tiny fibers behind. DIVINE HAND-WASH FOR DELICATES Forever New Fabric Care Wash This biodegradable, cruelty-free powder is the preferred cleanser of high-end lingerie dealers. The patented formula contains no phosphates or bleach to keep delicates from bleeding or fading. $5/8 oz. 800.456.0107; forevernew.com Homemade option: hydrogen peroxide and water To whiten delicate garments without bleach, soak them for 30 minutes in a solution of 1/2 cup hydrogen peroxide and 4 cups water. Chicago-based writer Meg Donohue has gone all-natural after researching this story. She now spritzes her windows and shower stall doors with vinegar and water to keep them crystal clear.

* Article taken from Vegetarian Times at http://www.vegetariantimes.com/features/672

Copyright © 2008 Cruz Bay Publishing, Inc. | an Active Interest Media Company

 

 

Toxic Chemicals Found in Common Scented Laundry Products, Air Fresheners

Newswise — A University of Washington study of top-selling laundry products and air fresheners found the products emitted dozens of different chemicals. All six products tested gave off at least one chemical regulated as toxic or hazardous under federal laws, but none of those chemicals was listed on the product labels.

"I first got interested in this topic because people were telling me that the air fresheners in public restrooms and the scent from laundry products vented outdoors were making them sick," said Anne Steinemann, a UW professor of civil and environmental engineering and of public affairs. "And I wanted to know, 'What's in these products that is causing these effects?'"

She analyzed the products to discover the chemicals' identity.

"I was surprised by both the number and the potential toxicity of the chemicals that were found," Steinemann said. Chemicals included acetone, the active ingredient in paint thinner and nail-polish remover; limonene, a molecule with a citrus scent; and acetaldehyde, chloromethane and 1,4-dioxane.
"Nearly 100 volatile organic compounds were emitted from these six products, and none were listed on any product label. Plus, five of the six products emitted one or more carcinogenic 'hazardous air pollutants,' which are considered by the Environmental Protection Agency to have no safe exposure level," Steinemann said.

Her study was published online today by the journal Environmental Impact Assessment Review. Steinemann chose not to disclose the brand names of the six products she tested. In a larger study of 25 cleaners, personal care products, air fresheners and laundry products, now submitted for publication, she found that many other brands contained similar chemicals.

Because manufacturers of consumer products are not required to disclose the ingredients, Steinemann analyzed the products to discover their contents. She studied three common air fresheners (a solid deodorizer disk, a liquid spray and a plug-in oil) and three laundry products (a dryer sheet, fabric softener and a detergent), selecting a top seller in each category. She bought household items at a grocery store and asked companies for samples of industrial products.

In the laboratory, each product was placed in an isolated space at room temperature and the surrounding air was analyzed for volatile organic compounds, small molecules that evaporate from the product's surface into the air.

Results showed 58 different volatile organic compounds above a concentration of 300 micrograms per cubic meter, many of which were present in more than one of the six products. For instance, a plug-in air freshener contained more than 20 different volatile organic compounds. Of these, seven are regulated as toxic or hazardous under federal laws. The product label lists no ingredients, and information on the Material Safety Data Sheet, required for workplace handling of chemicals, lists the contents as "mixture of perfume oils."

This study does not address links between exposure to chemicals and health effects. However, two national surveys published by Steinemann and a colleague in 2004 and 2005 found that about 20 percent of the population reported adverse health effects from air fresheners, and about 10 percent complained of adverse effects from laundry products vented to the outdoors. Among asthmatics such complaints were roughly twice as common.

Manufacturers are not required to list the ingredients used in laundry products and air fresheners. Personal-care products and cleaners often contain similar fragrance chemicals, Steinemann said. And although cosmetics are required by the Food and Drug Administration to list ingredients, no law requires products of any kind to list chemicals used in fragrances.

"Fragrance chemicals are of particular interest because of the potential for involuntary exposure, or second-hand scents," Steinemann said.
"Be careful if you buy products with fragrance, because you really don't know what's in them," she added. "I'd like to see better labeling. In the meantime, I'd recommend that instead of air fresheners people use ventilation, and with laundry products, choose fragrance-free versions."

The European Union recently enacted legislation requiring products to list 26 fragrance chemicals when they are present above a certain concentration in cosmetic products and detergents. No similar laws exist in the United States.
"I hope this study will raise public awareness, and reduce exposures to potentially hazardous chemicals," said Steinemann.

 

 

---

 

I've been on a mission to reduce chemicals in my household and have discovered how effective natural cleaners like baking soda and vinegar are.  My toilet actually sparkled and smelled clean, especially when adding a bit of lemon juice to the cocktail. I didn't think it was possible, since they didn't seem strong enough in my mind. 

A victim of mass marketing, I formerly believed that only strong-smelling chemical cleaners could get rid of grease, germs and soap scum. Then I wondered just how toxic these chemical cleaners are, including supposedly harmless ones like Windex glass cleaner and Sunlight Dish soap. How toxic? Try carcinogenic and asthma-inducing. 

These facts caught my attention in Wendy Mesley's "Chasing the Cancer Answer" on CBC's Marketplace. Wendy was diagnosed with cancer recently and began her own research on cancer-causing products. She interviewed Mae Burrows, Executive Director of the Labour Environmental Alliance Society (LEAS) located here in Vancouver. Burrows recommended the CancerSmart Consumers Guide which was researched and produced by the Society. The guide was created for consumers to more easily research the products they are buying so they are better informed of what goes into common household, beauty and food products. You can purchase the latest guide from their website for $12.60 and this money goes to support the Society since they are not-for-profit.

I couldn't believe what I read in the Guide, just how many seemingly innocent and comforting products like Pledge (I loved the way lemon-waxy smell reminded me of my childhood when I helped my Mom clean) are incredibly toxic, containing chemicals such as isobutane, propane, butane, silicones and isoparaffinic hydrocarbon solvent. There's also the hazardous effect on the environment to consider. All these products end up flushed away and carried via groundwater into rivers, where they can have devastating impacts on animals, birds and fish. 

More comforting smells for a lot of people are Plug-in and spray air fresheners. I get so angry at all the advertisements I see on television, trying to convince people that these air fresheners will actually "clean the air" (i.e. Febreeze), and that you need a strong, flowery smell to be clean and fresh. In actuality, the smell of clean doesn't smell like anything. And you shouldn't spray the air full of chemicals because these air fresheners contain formaldehyde and other chemicals that are asthma-triggers and human carcinogens.  The best way to get rid of odours is to actually clean your house, empty the kitchen garbage daily and ventilate with fresh air. 

Formaldehyde is also found in the Mr. Clean Magic Eraser. This is scary since all the television ads show mothers using this product for their children's toys and furniture.

Silica is another commonly-found chemical. It is a carcinogenic when it occurs as fine, respirable dust found in some abrasive cleaners, such as Ajax with bleach, Comet Powder with Clorinol and even Sunlight Laundry Detergent. Healthy alternatives for these cleaners are baking soda, vinegar, or Vim. Laundry detergent brands that are  don't contain silica are All, Bold and Tide.  Silica is also found in little packets that come with jewellry boxes and furniture to absorb moisture. Even though it is contained in the packets, sometimes they have holes and leak, so it's probably best to use rubber gloves when handling.

And then there is everyday food. Many people might not expect to find such toxic compounds in the food they eat. There are so many pesticides found in fruits and vegetables. The CancerSmart Consumer Guide refers to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA), which screened hundreds of food samples for contaminants between 1994 and 1998. According to the Guide, some fruits and vegetables were contaminated with residues from ten or more different pesticides.

This Guide, along with other resources recommended by the LEAS website, convinced me to stop buying these chemical products and to give the all-natural ones a try. Cancer is in my family, so I'm not taking any more risks. 

More environmentally-friendly and affordable cleaning solutions can be seen on the mildly entertaining and often disgusting television show "How Clean Is Your House?"  If these natural elixirs can get the grime and feces off toilets that haven't been cleaned in three or more years, it will work for yours.

More websites to visit are www.scorecard.org and www.environmentaldefence.ca

If you don't have time to surf the net, here are some easy cleaning solutions for every day household cleaning using distilled vinegar.

Indoors:
-Wipe with full-strength vinegar to banish grease
-Dilute with water to remove grease and grime on mini-blinds
-Use full-strength to clean chrome fixtures and whiten grout
-Brew full-strength to clean your coffee maker or tea kettle 
-Dilute with water and use with a cloth to remove starch build-up from your iron
-Dilute with water and sprinkle on pet-stained carpet
-Mix with salt and baking soda to unclog drains
-Dilute with water and spray on mirrors and windows for a streak-free shine
-Mix with olive oil to remove glass water rings on wood furniture
-Mix with hot water and some liquid hand or dish soap to mop your floors.

And Outdoors:
-Spray full-strength to get rid of unwanted grass
-Use full-strength to clean your car’s windshield wiper blades and to remove lime stains

(Source: Kellen Communications Newswise)

 

Every few months, a group of friends and I try out a new restaurant in Vancouver and have our own little review ceremony afterwards. This month it was Tequila Kitchen, authentic Mexican cuisine in the heart of Yaletown.

Tequila Kitchen is a simple eatery, spacious and clean with a partially exposed half-moon kitchen. There is ample elbow room for big bustle potential, as it’s  wide open and breezy. The decor is warm yet simple and unpretentious with a lot of natural light. The staff all speak fluent Spanish, so the authentic, warm accent was a nice touch to the graceful service.

The main concept behind the restaurant is that of a "botana: meals served in sampler platters where friends can enjoy sharing many different menu items." The menu is not another trio of El Paso salsa, salty guac and sour cream piled on top of a soggy burrito or enchilada swimming in a pool of refried beans. It's authentic Mexican food, the real thing, how it's eaten by locals in the land itself. 

The first appetizer on the list is the best, damn guacamole I've ever tasted - spicy and fresh with chopped tomatoes and a hint of lime scooped up with crispy, baked tortilla strips. It didn't need any salsa or sour cream, it was so good on it's own. My friend across from me enjoyed the Queso Fundido al Tequila - melted Mexican white cheese infused with tequila and garnished with fresh tomato, onion and Serrano chile. Being a huge cheese lover, I couldn't help myself from giving in to the enticing aroma and reaching over (while asking permission) to dip my chips in the warm, gooey heaven.

My friends enjoyed entrees consisting of Pollo en Pipian Verde - chicken breasts in a green pumpkin seed sauce; Cordero en Salsa Borracha - braised lamb shank prepared in a spicy drunken sauce; and Pato en Salsa de Jamaica  -  slow roasted duck breast in a Hibiscus and Serrano chile glaze.

I tried the Manchamanteles - which literally translates as “tablecloth stainer" - oven-cooked pork in a blend of chiles and fruit sauce. It sounded so mouth wateringly soft and decadent, but I found the pork a bit tough and the sauce and rice were bland. But that was a great excuse to slather on more of that sassy guacamole to add some flavour.

But my favourite part of the night was the drinks (of course, one track mind). I started the evening with a TK Mojito, using Cazadores tequila instead of rum, muddled with raspberries, mint and sugar, topped off with soda. At first, I cringed at former memories of tequila coming straight back up as soon as I swallowed the brazen sap of the agave. But the waiter confidently reassured me that this tequila was pure, the best of the best, and promised a hangover and projectile-free experience. I conceeded and gave it a shot. I was suprised to find the mojito quite watered-down and lacking mojo, so I inquired about my drink of choice, the Cosmpolitan Martini. The waiter directed me to the Tequila Cosmo, which, according to the menu writer, is "the elegance of a NY City night club meets a humble atmosphere" - 1 ½ oz Cazadores Reposado, ½ oz Cointreau, and CranbeMexicanrry Juice. Still a little hesitant to try a stronger tequila mix, I gingerly sipped the fruity cocktail. It was delicious - smooth and refreshing all the way down, and it stayed down, so well I ordered another. And another.

Tequila is taken quite seriously here. It is not just a gimmick or a quick way to get wasted. The good quality stuff is like a fine wine or whisky, something to be savoured, sipped and treated with utmost respect. The waiter went on to tell me that the executive chef Juan Gonzalez wrote his university thesis on tequila, so he brings some serious knowledge to the bar.  Like the little known fact that tequila comes from the blue agave plant. Contrary to many misconceptions, it is not a cactus, but a plant with spear-shaped leaves and a pineapple-shaped heart called the "piña."  

The bar serves 19 different kinds of high quality tequila, including the super-premium category that commands the same prices as a fine cognac, such as the Grand Patron Platinum.  All of their cocktails are made with tequila. They also serve Mexican beer and local B.C. and warm climate wines.

There are five different categories of tequila:
- blanco (or silver) 
- oro (gold), which is sweetened with caramel
- reposado (rested), which is aged in oak casks for two months to a year
- añejo (aged), aged in oak for more than a year
- maduro (extra-aged), aged at least three years

Most of my group left shortly after dinner, but a few of us lingered to savour our drinks. The waiters were very friendly, chatty and accommodating, not making us feel that we were in the way (even though we were, four of us taking up three large tables in the center of the restaurant, yapping and laughing loudly).

As I write this the next day, I am hangover free, and feeling great! I want more of this Mexican food, service, style and liquor all to myself, yet I'm willing to share with more of my friends, since that's what Tequila Kitchen is all about. 

MORE TK RECIPES

MORE ABOUT TEQUILA

Another few fortnights have passed since my last blog entry. I am not doing a lot of writing these days, especially creative.
 

This came to light as I attended the Print Futures: Professional Writing Portfolio show at Douglas College on the evening of April 10^th. Remembering that date one year ago brought back feelings of nervous anticipation, since that is when I graduated from the same program and experienced the stress and heavy workload involved in preparation for the show. I was excited to see old classmates, new graduates and to gloat about my past six months of gainful employment.

 

As people asked me about my job, I realized that I don't really do a lot of writing on a daily basis. I do copyediting, proofreading and some very short article writing. The type of material I work with uses a lot of plain-language, which can be quite challenging. Clear, straightforward language is actually difficult to master, especially when you're trying to convert dense, dry information into something readable and easy to understand. Something to strive towards. Thank goodness for Frances Peck, the Editors’ Association of Canada and Simon Fraser University.

 

Don’t get me wrong. I love my job. It is challenging, fun and meaningful. I am learning a lot everyday and am fortunate to have a great relationship with my boss. When I studied communications in the Print Futures program, I was very excited to get into the industry because it is very dynamic. My job includes document layout, graphic design, research, editing, website management, media monitoring and event planning. My co-workers are hard-working yet fun to work with and the office is efficienty operated.  I also enjoy working with and analyzing the media and seeing the impact it has on society. 
 

Back to the portfolio show, program director Maureen Nicholson did something different this year. She read out a little blurb about each and every graduate, focusing on accomplishments, awards and special publications. One of them had been published in the Globe and Mail’s Facts and Arguments. Several others landed glamorous jobs commencing the following Monday, such as editor of Alive, which included interviewing Trevor Linden and k.d. lang and a possible upcoming interview with five-time Juno winner Leslie Feist.

 

Although I am incredibly happy for my Douglas College cohorts, I felt pangs of inadequacy. I couldn’t help feeling jealous of their accomplishments. Aside from being published in the college’s publications Pearls 2007, The Other Press and Looseleaf while in school, I realized that I haven’t really tried to get published elsewhere.

 

I submitted one short story to a local literary magazine last summer, smack-bang-on the post-marked deadline date. I never heard back from them, so I don’t know if they received it on time. My colleague who volunteers there said the piles of manuscripts were almost ceiling-high on the editor’s desk, and that they didn’t have enough staff to respond to all the entries.

The creative writer in me needs nourishment. I took my needed break and can now find the time for eloquent prose and narrative. Now it’s time to put my ass out there again and submit stuff. I also wouldn't mind seeing my name in print. I'm taking a big trip soon. Some travel writing should get the muse going again.