(DA) Labour Day

Every year of my life (except maybe the year I first went to University) my family and I have gone up to the same cottage for the long weekend. We are 30+ people; friends as close as family, 3 generations deep.

Sometimes it's cold, sometimes it's so hot we can't bear to be out of the lake. But without fail it's always a weekend full of sport, bizarre competition and contagious laughter.

Today I found out that my first weekend up here with the gang was when I was 2 months old.

My parents; and their generation, always tell stories about when they were the kids, and now, their kids have grown up and we almost aren't the kids anymore.

The walls of this cottage holds so many memories and so many stories. I know the tradition of coming together over the long weekend will continue for generations to come.

-Brandolyn

(DA) Running about

I've had some time alone to write down ideas for stories, but no time to write much of anything else. 

I'm glad to say that the weather has decided to co-operate. It's cool, and windy, but the sun is shining and makes for perfect outdoors weather! I am enjoying every moment, and the dog is loving having 3 other dogs around to play with. 

We're missing a bunch of people: 2 cousins, 3 friends from my generation and 1 from my parents' (that's if I haven't missed anyone) and it still feels like we have a full house. 

I miss everyone who couldn't be here! I can't wait to see all of you soon and catch up on all of your adventures!

-Brandolyn

(DA) Off on another Adventure!

Maybe not an "Adventure", but off to a fun filled weekend with the family. It's our annual Labour Day Weekend reunion with our family and friends.

It's always a laugh, but the weather's supposed to be terrible; all rain and thunderstorms.

I can't wait to see everyone and enjoy our time together, but I'm REALLY not looking forward to sleeping in a tent, during a thunderstorm, with the dog barking and panicking at everything.

I'm not worried about indoor activities because we can always find card games, stories, and sing a long songs to entertain ourselves, though it is fun to take advantage of the lake, the tennis court, volleyball court and the shuffleboard set.

I'm looking forward to this year's antics.

-Brandolyn

(DA) Random Acts of Kindness

These are the little things we do for other people, like buying a coffee for the next person in line, or smiling at the other people on the bus, or complimenting someone when they deserve it. Thank you cards on desks, and post-its with words of encouragement also fall under this category. These are just SOME of the ways that the charity "Random Acts" has taught me to brighten someone else's day.

But today I was rendered speechless with the random act of kindness that happened to me. A card arrived in the mail with an 'anonymous' donation made to the MS Society of Canada on behalf of my 2014 GISHWHES team.

It was the sweetest thing, and left me feeling truly touched by the thoughtfulness and generosity of these kind strangers.

-Brandolyn

(DA) Keep on writing

I'm struggling to pull myself away from the computer to stop writing at the moment. It's really great after the past few weeks without any creative inspiration, but it's tough to prioritize cooking, cleaning and exercise when all I want to do is write.

Oh the creative challenges. Hahaha.

Sometimes I can`t write at all, other times I don`t want to stop.

-Brandolyn

(DA) And it hits

Inspiration has struck again!

I've spent most of my day scribbling away in my notebook during bus rides, subways rides and wait times at the Doctor's Office. It's been a VERY productive day (at least with my writing). Yesterday was productive with cleaning and cooking, but today was creatively productive and I have missed that.

I have a few chapters for a new Sherlock Holmes story, AND a new chapter in my book.

I got over that writer's block and am making up for lost time!

-Brandolyn

(DA) Doctor Who: Deep Breath Review

Check it out >>>HERE!<<<

-Brandolyn

(DA) I need a bookshelf

I already have a bookshelf and it's full.

The problem I run into is that there's no order to the books shelved in it. I want a bookshelf dedicated to my writing. I could fill shelves with my notebooks, sketchbooks, binders of loose papers, and research. I would love to have them all easily accessible. instead of tucked into corners between my bed and beside table, piled high and deep enough that I can't tell which binder is where. It's so hard to find my drafts that I give up before I even try to look for it.

Besides my writing, I have WAY too many books piled around my apartment. (and I;m far too attached to them to get rid of any.)

-Brandolyn

(DA) Midnight Inspiration

It's sad to acknowledge that when I'm lying in bed unable to think because too many thoughts are running through my head that I try to write my story and immediately fall straight to sleep.

That's not a good sign.

What's comforting about that is that I know it's not that the story is boring that I fall asleep, but that the story is so easy to drift into. (That's a very good sign.)

I've been stuck on a continuity error and unable to fix it for the better part of a month, and last night in the final moment before unconsciousness took hold of me completely, I solved it.

I wasn't awake enough to tell myself to wake up and write it down. So naturally, I had forgotten that I had fixed it until driving home from the dog park at 7:30pm today. Then it hit me "I solved it!" But I couldn't remember how.

It took a lot of effort, but I finally followed the trail of my scattered brain and remembered how I strung the sequence of events together effectively and interestingly. And I'm thrilled!

I can't wait to keep writing!

-Brandolyn

(DA) The ROM

I got to spend the evening with my bestie exploring the Royal Ontario Museum. I barely read any of the information on the walls, and looked at the all the amazing displays.

I was hoping to get some writing inspiration from the history and glimpses into different time periods, but was unsuccessful. However, I had a great day with my best friend AND got lots of inspiration for drawing!

I have quite a lot of pictures I'm going to use as drawing references in the near future and I'm very excited about them. Hopefully my drawing will inspire my writing in turn.

-brandolyn

(DA) Sometimes it's nice to be a kid

Yesterday was my parents anniversary, and to celebrate we rode Segways around the Distillery District in Toronto.

I was quite impressed with my ability to pick up "how to ride a Segway". They are balance based machines, and I'm not very co-ordinated.

But the best part of the day; obviously other than spending time on Segways with my family, was that I got to wear the "Flash" helmet. I ran around pretending I was a Superhero with Superspeed. It was HILARIOUS! I had a blast! AND the tour guides saw me having so much fun with the silly helmet that they gave me the Segway that said "POLICE" on it too! So I was a cop AND a superhero! THE BEST EVER CRIME STOPPER!

I sped around the Distillery sounding sirens and whooshing noises like a little kid. It was very relaxing to feel so free of burden, and not care about anything else because I was having fun.

That's a rare thing for people. I'm glad I haven't lost that ability.

-Brandolyn

(DA) Celebration of Achievement

Today my parents celebrate their 31st Wedding Anniversary. If I have the facts right, they've been married for 31 years, but together for 38 years.

My parents are a shining example of love and friendship, and their relationship inspired me to look for the same thing.

I'm so thrilled to have found Jason. He's my best friend, my confidant, my partner in crime and so much more. We've only been married for 10 months, and I'm looking forward to growing with him and experiencing life, love and family with him. With my parents, and his (they are also celebrating their 31st Wedding Anniversary this year) as examples, I know we'll have an amazing journey to our own 31st Anniversary and beyond.

I love you Mom and Dad, for all that you have taught me, and continue to teach me.

Jason, I love you for all that you are, and all that we will be.

-Brandolyn

(DA) Sigh, I should have been an actor

I just found myself in my room, dressing in my comfiest pair of pyjama bottoms when I was startled by a scuttle across the floor.

That's when, I'll admit, I found myself shrieking and leaping onto my bed in a very "stereotypical movie damsel in distress" fashion. Instead of my husband rushing in to the room to see what was wrong (he probably knew), my knight in shining armour came in the shape of our dog, who was curious to see why I was so suddenly awake and active.

I stayed on the bed and pointed to the earwig walking across the floor until he gallantly ate it and looked at me proudly.

This was one of the weirdest, and also funniest moments of my day. Thank you dog, for coming to my rescue when I completely overreact to a situation (i.e tiny ass bug) and run out of time to locate toilet paper before it disappears under the bed.

-Brandolyn

(DA) The Decline of Civilization

Today I read an article about two dozen people (adults and children) at a beach in the states that were holding a baby shark and passing it around just to take pictures with it.

The article described how the shark died during the process, and only 1 person on the beach had the conscience and asked the group to stop. By the time she convinced them what they were doing was wrong, the shark had died.

How did these people not realize that what they were doing was wrong?

I weep for society, and cringe for future generations that are being raised by parents that don't understand the difference between right and wrong. These kids don't understand that a life ended because a group of people thought some pictures were worth more than that life.

Just terribly depressing.

-Brandolyn

(DA) No inspiration

I've been struggling with writing material lately- not just material for Duelling Amateurs, but for my stories as well. I have no ideas.

I have a handful of poems that are so terrible I can't face publishing them.

I have a story about Dust... yeah, that seems pretty desperate as a topic.

I have 2 movie reviews that I just can't pull together.

I've lost my drive, my focus and my passion. (The good news is, I've gotten quite a bit of my "real life to do list" accomplished during my lapse in inspiration.)

It'll come back, I just have to be patient.

-Brandolyn

Oh! and today Washburn was perfectly well behaved with a young child we passed on the sidewalk. The child did not know how to approach or behave around dogs (which I wish I had realized earlier) but Wash was sweet, patient and VERY calm. He let the kid approach, and pet him enthusiastically before scampering away.

Hurrah for patience training!

(DA) Unfortunate Events

Unfortunate events are sometimes the most memorable.

When things don't go according to plan, the result is often better or more special. Today was the annual 2000 person outdoor paintball tournament, and it rained almost the entire day. It was miserable! Masks were fogging up so badly you couldn't tell the difference between a pile of logs and a person, paintball guns stopped working and you were soaked to the bone and shaking.

You could see your breath it was so cold!

It was terrible, and yet, somehow my friends and I had an amazing time.

We traded gear when it wasn't working, we lead each other around, and called out targets for our fog blinded comrades, we laughed over just how wet the situation was and how poorly we were prepared for it.

We came together as a team, we played hard, and we made some kills/ moves/ memories that we will never forget because of the torrential downpour.

Instead of cursing mother nature (as some of the players did) I chose to smile about how wonderful my friends are, and how greatly I can rely on their help, assistance and friendship, even when we're all overwhelmed by miserable circumstances.

Rogue Squadron, I love you guys! Thanks for helping me through the rain!

-Brandolyn

(DA) Growing Up so Fast!

Washburn was at my parents' for a bit today and while he was there he:

-Ignored the cats' food
-Ignored the litter boxes
-Didn't go upstairs or downstairs unless invited
-Ignored the kitten (who was enticing him to misbehave)

And was just the pleasant and calm fuzz-beast that I adore. It was amazing to "show him off" to my parents with such wonderful behaviour.

Training is paying off!

-Brandolyn

(DA) Mental Illness

Like much of the world I am greatly saddened to hear of Robin William's passing. He was very talented and brought a smile to my face on many occasions. The fact that his death came at his own hand makes the story that much worse.

The only possible light in this darkness is that this high profile death has sparked conversations about the effects of Mental Illness, something that has been taboo in the past and is starting to become a topic of discussion. People are sharing stories, looking for help and receiving positive feedback, love, friendship and help.

There is a picture on Facebook that's going around that says "I would stay up all night with a loved one to talk them out of suicide." And as nice as that sentiment is,

I would stay up all night talking to a complete stranger to talk them out of suicide.

Whoever you are, you are precious, and loved and the world would not be the same without you. If you need someone to fight alongside you, I will.

-Brandolyn

(DA) Why do People avoid the Homeless?

Someone without a home is a person, just like everyone else.

There's no need to walk quickly past them, avoid eye contact, ignore them, or talk badly about what could have gotten them into that situation.

If they ask for money and you have some change to spare, then give it to them. (I like to keep some change in a specific pocket for this purpose- my brother in law taught me this.) If you think they might spend it "unwisely", but still want to help, offer to buy them a snack or coffee.

There is a homeless man in our neighbourhood who hangs out near the Esso/ Tim Hortons. He is so polite and such a frequent visitor that on hot days people will buy him water or Gatorade and leave it one the step for him (if he's not there yet). In the winter, people will go through the drive through and come out with a coffee and sandwich for him. And when he has some money, he'll come to the bar, and 'splurge' on a beer and wings.

How can people be so incredibly nice and understanding of this man, and not of others sitting down town asking for money?

We, as human beings, shouldn't choose who we help and who we ignore, we should help anyone who asks for it.

Hopefully this video and set of pictures go viral enough to help other people see how wonderful and incredible people without homes can be.

Dogs love you no matter how much money you have

They asked these homeless people to reveal something about themselves

Oh, and this video of young people being ALL KINDS OF AMAZING!

-Brandolyn

(DA) So impressed

Sometimes I get impressed by our dog.

He's nearly 2 and we've spent a lot of time training him, but there are some things he does that just shock me.

When I start to change and get ready for work or after he has eaten, Washburn will go and curl up in his crate.

That's not a trick I taught him, but a habit he has learned from repetition and routine. There isn't much about his life that has a routine; he eats at roughly the same times or at least same intervals and gets between 2 and 5 walks a day. But the one thing that's consistent is that I am wearing PJs when I don't work, and real clothes when I'm leaving, so Washburn has learned that when I go to my closet, it's bed time for him.

He amazes me. He's perceptive and smart and I couldn't be happier with the way his training is going.

-Brandolyn

(DA) This Land is a Fantasy

There's a land with flowing water,
the hills are rolling green.

Creatures roam and soar,
they dive and swim.

Trees reach for the sky,
Oceans sink to the deep,
Clouds caress mountain tops.

This land has never known war.
It has never known politics.
It doesn't judge its creatures for their faith, gender, origin or sex.
This land accepts its residents.

Poverty, disease and devastation have no definition,
because kindness prevents suffering.
There is no need for violence.
This land lives in peace.

This world is a fantasy.

It is a fantasy that lives in the moments between the blink of an eye,
in the space between rest and waking,
where dreams are almost tangible.

This land is where I live.

I invite you to join me.
Reach for the dream.
If enough hands reach for it,
one will be able to hold on and pull it down for the rest of us.

-Brandolyn

(DA) Old friends

Happy occasions bring people together and today was no different. Today; at a high school friend's engagement party, I saw a woman I haven't seen in 8 (ish) years!

She looked exactly the same and I recognized her from across the room. It was an amazing reunion and we had SO much to catch up on! Unfortunately I'm still recovering from post GISHWHES exhaustion and had to cut the evening short and go home.

-Brandolyn

(DA) Fun Hangover

Unfortunately I am familiar with the feeling of a hangover.

Sick to the stomach, pounding head, dry mouth, dizziness etc...

However, I didn't know that I could get a hangover without consuming massive amounts of alcohol. GISHWHES finished at 3am this morning, and of course, like in high school, I stayed up till the last minute completing every task I could. I went to bed at 3:30, and didn't wake up until after 11am, but when my eyes finally opened I felt VERY hungover. I wasn't just sleep deprived, I had a fun-hangover (not a hangover that was fun). It was the aftermath of GISHWHES. After all the excitement and charity and week of thrills, I was so exhausted I felt hungover.

I had no idea that was possible. But now I know that Post GISHWHES shenanigans feel exactly like the morning after a night of drunken debauchery.

-Brandolyn

(DA) Waiting

I do most things on the fly. I decide my plans at the last minute and hope/ wish/ and will them to unfold well.

GISHWHES has had me much more structured than I am used to, and I'd be lying if I said I wasn't struggling with it.

I would usually look at a list of tasks and accomplish them in the order than appeals to me, or as I am inspired, but this week I've had to plan out "when to be inspired" and "what items will inspire me", which is counter intuitive.

I've had quite a learning curve this week and actually, it's forced me to be creative, which I've complain ed about recently. I wrote a post about forgetting how to draw, and yet this week I've drawn a beautiful Elephant, painted a bird house, sketched a fight between two metamorphic animals and sketched a zombie. I haven't been this creative with my pencils in MONTHS! And yet, having a goal and drawing criteria has helped me see that I still have my drawing skills, I'm just as indecisive as ever.

-Brandolyn

(DA) I lead an interesting life

Today I made a hat out of ice cream and felt like Dr. Seuss' "Whos of Whoville" and dressed as a caveman and went for dinner in a fancy restaurant. I didn't do much charity today, but will tomorrow. 

My life has changed, but what's more? My creativity has been spurred once more!

I'm creating things, designing things, drawing things, singing things and learning new ways to meet people!

-Brandolyn

(DA) Let it go

There are times that really open my eyes to my own bad habits.

Have you ever looked at another person and thought "That trait is so annoying!" and then realized you've done the exact same thing?

Jason often says "It's a chance to work on yourself." And it couldn't be more true than in these situations. You can identify annoying habits or frustration triggers and learn not to make the same mistakes in your own life.

-Brandolyn

(DA) Today I...

I held chickens today. 

I made a face out of duct tape.

I rode the bus in nothing but trash. 

I drew an octopus/elephant hybrid fighting a rooster/wolf hybrid.

I stood at an intersection in a bathing suit with a FREE HUGS sign.

I painted a colourful bird house.

Life can be exciting if you open your mind and your heart to the opportunities around you. I'm glad GISHWHES has reminded me how to seize opportunities again.

-Brandolyn

(DA) GISHWHES day 3

How many ways can you help someone?

It's interesting to look at the list of challenges this year during the Greatest International Scavenger Hunt the World Has Ever Seen and think "oh I can help people WAY better than these suggestions".

GISHWHES is closely related to the Charity RANDOM ACTS which promotes Random Acts of Kindness toward strangers (and family and friends). It's amazing to realize that their 'easy helpful suggestions (hidden in the form of scavenger hunt items)' are so easy that I can think of ways to do even better.

It's so easy to help people who need it, that I'm amazed it takes so much effort for most people to help another human being.

-Brandolyn

(DA) GISHWHES

Also known as the Greatest Scavenger Hunt the World Has Ever Seen has officially started, and just like last year, it is silly and amazing, exhausting and brilliant.

Today I learned how to twerk... not really a life skill, but new. I made elephant ears out of tin foil. I was head 3 of 5 in a giant shirt as my sister, husband, cousins and I mowed the lawn, and was 1/4 of a human table. And now that I'm home, able to rest, I am considering the best base to use for a bust of an actor made from duct tape.

My life is weird and will never be the same again. I love it.

-Brandolyn

(DA) Drawing

I've forgotten how to draw.

I mean, I get the idea behind it, and if I really put some effort into it I can produce something, but I used to be able to sit down with no idea in my head and draw amazing things.

I want to get back to that.

How do you let go of everything you've ever learned to get back to the freedom of childhood wonder and creativity?

Practice? Probably not.
Drugs? Not my style.

Meditation? Maybe?

I'll let you know what works, if I ever get back there.

-Brandolyn

(DA) Precious Moment

Today, while walking my dog Washburn, I accidentally interrupted the most precious moment I have ever had the pleasure of witnessing. 

A woman was on her driveway with her; I assume it was her husband, and he wasn't moving while sitting in a reclining mobility chair. He looked like he was in a lot of pain, not moving, and I got the overwhelming sense that he was in the process of dying. 

As I walked by, I saw them out of the corner of my eye and looked up, shining my brightest, friendly neighbour smile and said "hi!" as I walked by. It wasn't until after I had said "hi" that I saw how much pain the man was in and realized that he was dying. But the man wasn't the part that hit me the most. It was that the woman was caressing his head so dearly and tenderly with all the love and care in the world just for this man and in her moment of tenderness and love, she took time to say "hi" back. 

I felt so rude for interrupting and taking some of her precious time away from her husband but to witness them in this moment was beautiful and really puts everything into perspective.

-Brandolyn