Misty of Chincoteague Island or anything by Dr. Suess. brings me back

10 Steampunk novels

I was visiting the Merril Collection today and they have a really nice display about "Steampunk". So, I decided to make a list of 10 books that would get you on your way in "Alternate 19th Century Futures". Have fun!

Big Red Fox

While waiting for my son's bus to arrive, I spotted a big, red fox running along our street. At first I had thought it was a dog that had gotten loose, but then realized it's shape was all wrong. And, it was bigger then I expected.

In a city where the only wildlife that you tend to see are racoons, skunks and the odd possum, spotting a fox (to me anyway) is like seeing a spaceship. Rare and exciting, indeed.

Stuck in an elevator with Judith Merril

A friend of mine was telling me about a "steampunk" display (Steampunk: Alternative 19th Century Futures) that was on at the Merril Collection that I might want to check out. It got me thinking about the time my friend, Helen, and I got stuck in an elevator with SF author Judith Merril ( who the collection is named after.) at an Ad Astra Convention many years ago. Aside from her being a fine author, she also did the hosting duties when TV Ontario was showing "Dr. Who" (classic), so she was a bit of a local tv personality in that respect.

Anyway, she was very nice and we had a good chat while waitng for them to get us out of the elevator.

It was the one time I actually didn't mind being stuck in an elevator.

You don't need this flying car...really.

"Engineers are getting closer to the dream of the flying car". Wow. I saw that news story too.

Er, don't get me wrong, but the human population has enough trouble driving as it is. I can't imagine us trying to fly these things. We have enough junk falling out of the sky as it is.

Maybe we should work on space portals or transporters to get us from one place to another. Or, how about personal steam powered airships. They don't go as fast.

("sketch" not done on my iPod, as if you didn't know already.)

Whales not "Phish"

"Whale tails" on I-89 north around Burlington, Vermont.

Martin Brodeur's Hockey Sweater

A friend had posted the question of what goalie Martin Brodeur was going to do with the piece of netting he clipped off when he broke Patrick Roy's record for saves.

I had suggested that he should have someone knit the piece of hockey net into a nice sweater that he could wear. Anyway, here is a sketch of what it could look like ( in NJ colours, of course.).

Maybe, the author of "The Hockey Sweater", could write a sequel.

Pizza Chef, Windsor, Vermont

Actually, it's my favorite pizza period. And, if it's good enough for J.D. Salinger, then it's good enough for me.

Nice view, huh?

This is a sketch of the view from the guest bathroom window at my inlaws house in NH. It must be the best view from a bathroom window ever.

Wifi challenged

I wanted to post this yesterday, but couldn't find a free WiFi area to upload it. One could say I was "WiFi challenged".

It's intrerstate 89, somewhere after Burlington Vt.

Pete, the generous .

As we were walking back from dinner the other night, Pete is approached by a man looking for some "spare change". So, he digs through his pockets, but at the same time another fellow, who has one of those St. Patrick days hats (the green plastc ones) comes up and asks for "one for St. Patrick".

Pete gives them each a 'toonie' and is about to carry on, when the first guy starts into a long winded story about why he needs $5.00.

Poor Pete listens patiently and finally relents, giving up $3.00 more.

We walk along St. Catherine street a bit further when he turns and says, "Well, it was a good story. And, he did work hard to get me to listen to it".

Generous.

Just a guy in the lobby checking his cel phone.

Wow. So high up.

This is a sketch from the hotel room I'm staying in in Montreal. It's on the 19th floor.

My son refers to the elevator ride, up and down, as the " suicide elevator" as it goes really fast.

Not to be done on a full stomach.

March Break = Roadtrip

I love roadtrips. I prefer them over flying anytime, especially these days. There's a certain element of adventure and discovery that you just can't get while trapped in a tin can with the offerings of "coffee, tea or milk" being bandied at you.

Here' my list of 5 great things about roadtrips:

1. You can see where you are going (unless you are driving through a rainstorm, snowstorm or fog.).

2. Discovering interesting places to eat; not necessarily good, but interesting.

3. The adventure of weather systems you might run into (see #1).

4. Local radio (Don't be shy, turn off that CD player/ iPod/Sirius system and llisten to what's out there.).

5. Coffee and lots of it without guilt.

And away we go....

The Ballad of Captain Jack Harkness

"Plinky" once again put forth the following challenge:

Paul Simon was going to Graceland, Toto blessed the rains down in Africa – what place would you write a song about?

My answear was Cardiff, Wales. Why?
Because it has a space/time rift and it's where Torchwood is located.

I'll have to get back to you on some lyrics.

What would Darwin think?

If there was a fight between a shark and a bear who would win?
(a "Plinky" challenge)

Personally, I think it would be the bear; especially if it was a teddybear. It may get ripped apart by the shark, but in the end the shark would probably choke on the bear's stuffing.

(Yes, I am leaning towards the absurd.)

Man of Mystery

Actually, it's a sketch of one of my classmates who was trying to keep warm as there was a weird stench in the room and a window needed to be opened ( cue The Shadows "Man of Mystery".).

In like a Lion

I had mentioned to a friend that I was suspect of this warm weather trend we'd been having over the last few days. "Why? " she asked. "Are there lions at the end of your driveway?".
Nope. But my neighbour has 2 of those stone ones at the end of his. And, they have wings!
Scary.

When 2 meetings meet

The other night, I had forgotten my son's camera at the church where his cub meeting is held. I am mortified.

So, we turn around and drive back. I knew the church would still be open as there is always a CA meeting held afterwards. I figured I could quietly pop in and get it without disturbing the meeting.

The meeting is really hopping and thinking I slip in without notice. Wrong.I am suddenly greeted at the door;

"Sister, welcome to our meeting. It's so good of you to come."

Not sure how to respond without embarrassing this Greeter ( or myself), I open my coat to show my Cub leaders uniform and tell him I was at the earlier meetng and was there to pick up something I had forgotten (this is after having shaken the hands of 2 other "greeters", who decended upon me.).

I get my son's camera bag and on my way out thank the 1st "greeter" for his warm welcome and then proceed to shake his hand, confusing the situation a bit more.

10 records that made me who I am today.

I was messaged by a friend with a "challenge" to write out 20 records which had an impact on my being. To think of 20 was really hard, so I am only giving 10. These are not in any order, nor are they necessarily favorites, nor are they ones I consider the best by the artists who created them. They just had impact on me at the time I had heard them. So, here it goes:

1. Beatles "Red" album 62 to 66
2. The Pretenders Learning to Crawl
3. Kate Bush The Dreaming
4.The Kinks The File Series
5.Wings Over America
6.Electric Light Orchestra Out Of The Blue
7. Shonen Knife 712
8. The Clash London Calling
9. Nirvana Nevermind
10. The Who The Kids are Alright Soundtrack

I am still going to think of another 10 to add, but that's it for now.

If you have your own list, don't be shy, comment!

Waiting

This was a very quick sketch I did of my boy waiting in the dentist's chair. He had to get a tooth extracted. He was waiting for the " freezing" to kick in. His dentist is a very gentle guy and tells his patients exactly what he's going to do and how it will feel. My son takes great comfort in this and trusts his word completely.

Trust is a very important thing to him.

Everything went smoothly.

Sketch 4

I did this on the streetcar. All these drawings were done on my iPod Touch using an app called "Scribble".
I like it and it's free.
Free is good.

Sketch 3

Sketched this on a very bumpy bus ride home today.

Sketch 2

Done while waiting for class to start.

Sketch

Roll Back

I was driving my 17 year old Tercel the other day. It runs like stink and has never had any major repairs.
Anyway, I'm stopped at a light. The car is on a slight incline and suddenly starts slowly rolling backwards. Now I know I have my foot on the brake and I check to see that I'm not in Reverse (which I'm not.). The car continues to roll back and I'm hoping I'm not going to hit the guy behind me. I put the car in Park, it's still rolling. I put on my E brake, the car stops. Sigh of relief.

I am told by the "brake guy" at the garage later that day he can't find anything wrong with the brakes...yet.

"The E brake is your friend." he says.

Good advice.
I haven't driven the car since.

Note: "Sketch" is loosely based on one by artist William Kentridge.

ZAP!

Again, my post has disappeared into the Internet ether.
Time to reset.
ZAP!