Bruce Springstzine

I couldn’t even tell you how many things I’ve bought off the Internet because someone I don’t know, but think is cool, told me to. But I know that it’s not a small number.

So, when Emily Horne, the photographer behind one of my favourite online comics A Softer World, told the Internet to buy Mike Saturday Lekcy’s BruceSpringstzine, of course, I did. And I’m so glad, because it’s awesome.

Lecky is the man behind the Vancouver-based Loose Teeth Press, and Bruce Springstzine No. 1 Weekend in the Void chronicles his experience at Toronto’s 2008 Canzine festival with Joey Comeau and Ms Horne. The whole thing has a sort of Thompsonesque feel, with delightfully drunken self-depreciating prose.

I’m out on the street with vague directions to head left until I see a subway station. If I hurry I can still make the last train to the end of the line, catch the bus from there to the airport. I do the sort of half-walk-half-jog Terry Fox Shuffle of the too drunk and do little pirouettes to avoid telephone poles and buildings…

The ‘zine is tiny, unpaginated, poorly photocopied and awkwardly held together by a single staple  – in short, it’s absolutely perfect.

I may not be as cool as Ms Horne, but I heartily encourage you to purchase it. It’s 4.95$US, postage included. You can’t go wrong.

Drew & Nico

August 4th, 2009 was our eighth wedding anniversary.

This year we decided our gift to each other would be to finally frame the picture we bought while in Montreal for our fifth anniversary. It certainly seemed reasonable.

So, on Tuesday we went out for dinner at a local place we both enjoy.

It’s ten years ago this summer (July 8th, to be exact) that Drew and I met properly for the first time and eight years ago since we were married. It’s a long time, but it doesn’t feel like a long time ago.

A few years ago I asked Drew why he thought our relationship worked. His response: “Because I’m cool”. I told him that was funny, as I was going to say it was because I was awesome. He nodded and cheerily replied something to the effect of “That’s right, we’re both awesome”.

There’s a lesson in here: successful relationships work because each partner is individually awesome and cool. If one of the pair isn’t supremely nifty, it’s probably not going to last. (Love can only carry you so far.)

Cheers to all the awesome people out there.

Wild Wood

Once upon a time my (great) uncle bought a hundred acres of woodland in the middle of nowhere. He built a (hunting) cabin and named it Wild Wood.

My uncle died, and my (great) aunt of course was extremely sad and she missed him.

I didn’t know my uncle well. While my aunt was friendly and sociable, I didn’t see him much. He preferred to keep to himself. The cabin reflects that: remote, strong, independent.

The cabin was a strong reminder, and four and a half years ago my parents bought the property from my aunt. The August long weekend was the first time I’d ever been up there. I’m very sorry it took me so long. Continue reading »