One of my favourite lines from the Lord of the Rings Trilogy is from Bilbo Baggins when he admits that he's starting to feel his age. He says, "[...] I feel all thin, sort of stretched, if you know what I mean; like butter that has been scraped over too much bread."
Some people will question this quote as a personal favourite because, let's face it, there are so many wonderful quotes from these books! But what I like about this quote is how easily I can relate to it.
No, I don't feel old. I don't feel sick or feeble, but I know this feeling when I'm tired; when I've pushed myself hard, for too long without a significant break.
I'm feeling that now. I'm not complaining about my MS. No, that's properly in check ;) but I am saying I'm tired.
I've noticed at work that instead of looking forward to my shifts, I'm counting down the minutes until I can clock out. Patrons complaints wear on me more than usual. Random negative interactions with strangers eat at me instead of bouncing off. When my alarm clock chimes in the morning all I want to do is roll over and wait for the weekend- until I realize I work weekends too.
The easiest way to describe 'feeling too thin' is to say 'I need a vacation'. I want time to myself, time to goof off with my husband and time to be with my family.
My vacation is just around the corner, and just in time. And although I will be taking a boat for my vacation, I will not be following Bilbo Baggins' example and going off to the undying lands. I will be away long enough to recharge my batteries and come back home to regular life refreshed and revitalized, and ready for the next adventure!
-Brandolyn
Monday 29 June 2015
Monday 22 June 2015
(DA) Fan mail
Yesterday I received my first 'Fan mail' and I couldn't have been more excited.
I have been feeling 'on' with regards to my writing in the last little while. I have finally finished the manuscript for my first novel and am almost through my first round of edits; which makes me feel very accomplished. But, as if finishing my manuscript wasn't enough, I've been dedicating a lot of my time to a new FanFiction story. I posted about it last week because it was new and I had a lot of writing momentum with it, but in one week, it's gotten so much bigger.
My story "Supremely Natural" (which takes place in the universe of the television show 'Supernatural') has had over 800 views from around the world in the past week. I get email alerts when people favourite my work, follow my stories or write reviews about my work, and on Friday I woke up to 21 alerts about my story. It was an incredible feeling to know that people are reading and talking about this story.
But getting Fan Mail was a completely different experience. It was just as exciting, but much more personal. The message was just for me, and no one else. Yesterday, a young woman from the United States messaged me saying that she loved my story and couldn't wait for more and was wondering what I was planning on writing for the next chapters.
I almost jumped up and down I was so excited to hear a positive review from someone who was invested in my story.
I quickly wrote her a message back and thanked her for reaching out. I informed her that I wouldn't give away any spoilers, but that I hope she likes what I publish next.
Since then I have received 5 more messages from her. But there was one message that stands out above the others. It impressed me the most because she mentioned that she really enjoys how I structured the story. [I was floored.] I had spent a lot of time on the structure of the story- planning each chapter to center around a major plot point in each season of the show- but I never imagined someone would actually notice it, let alone notice and tell me that they loved it!
It's an amazing feeling to get a little bit of recognition for the effort I put into these stories. FanFiction for me means that I build a story inside a preexisting story, and I have to weave my story around predetermined events, which is a very interesting -and at times horribly frustrating- task.
-Brandolyn
Check out the progress I've made with 'Supremely Natural' since last week >>>HERE<<<
I have been feeling 'on' with regards to my writing in the last little while. I have finally finished the manuscript for my first novel and am almost through my first round of edits; which makes me feel very accomplished. But, as if finishing my manuscript wasn't enough, I've been dedicating a lot of my time to a new FanFiction story. I posted about it last week because it was new and I had a lot of writing momentum with it, but in one week, it's gotten so much bigger.
My story "Supremely Natural" (which takes place in the universe of the television show 'Supernatural') has had over 800 views from around the world in the past week. I get email alerts when people favourite my work, follow my stories or write reviews about my work, and on Friday I woke up to 21 alerts about my story. It was an incredible feeling to know that people are reading and talking about this story.
But getting Fan Mail was a completely different experience. It was just as exciting, but much more personal. The message was just for me, and no one else. Yesterday, a young woman from the United States messaged me saying that she loved my story and couldn't wait for more and was wondering what I was planning on writing for the next chapters.
I almost jumped up and down I was so excited to hear a positive review from someone who was invested in my story.
I quickly wrote her a message back and thanked her for reaching out. I informed her that I wouldn't give away any spoilers, but that I hope she likes what I publish next.
Since then I have received 5 more messages from her. But there was one message that stands out above the others. It impressed me the most because she mentioned that she really enjoys how I structured the story. [I was floored.] I had spent a lot of time on the structure of the story- planning each chapter to center around a major plot point in each season of the show- but I never imagined someone would actually notice it, let alone notice and tell me that they loved it!
It's an amazing feeling to get a little bit of recognition for the effort I put into these stories. FanFiction for me means that I build a story inside a preexisting story, and I have to weave my story around predetermined events, which is a very interesting -and at times horribly frustrating- task.
-Brandolyn
Check out the progress I've made with 'Supremely Natural' since last week >>>HERE<<<
Monday 15 June 2015
New FanFiction
On a lighter note, I've been working on a new FanFiction in the Supernatural universe that I'm quite excited about. Feel free to check it out >>>HERE<<<
This has consumed much of my attention for the past few days.
Hope you enjoy. Feel free to review, favourite and follow for updates!
-Brandolyn
This has consumed much of my attention for the past few days.
Hope you enjoy. Feel free to review, favourite and follow for updates!
-Brandolyn
(DA) Bitter-sweet
Today was a day that can only be described as 'bitter-sweet'.
This winter the world lost a beautiful soul after a long time battling Depression. Nel was a classmate of mine in University. She was a classmate, fellow cast member, director and friend. She inspired me to write, create, act and be as genuinely myself as possible.
She was an advocate for the underdog and a voice for those who were unheard. Her light went out in January and the people who loved her have been waiting until the spring (she loved the spring) to honour her and celebrate her life. I, along with many other people, have been looking forward to this day for several months.
I was excited to celebrate her life today, and yet in the same heart beat, I am devastated that we had to.
Your light will continue to shine down on us from the stars Nel. Shine on with the knowledge that you will be remembered fondly.
-Brandolyn
This winter the world lost a beautiful soul after a long time battling Depression. Nel was a classmate of mine in University. She was a classmate, fellow cast member, director and friend. She inspired me to write, create, act and be as genuinely myself as possible.
She was an advocate for the underdog and a voice for those who were unheard. Her light went out in January and the people who loved her have been waiting until the spring (she loved the spring) to honour her and celebrate her life. I, along with many other people, have been looking forward to this day for several months.
I was excited to celebrate her life today, and yet in the same heart beat, I am devastated that we had to.
Your light will continue to shine down on us from the stars Nel. Shine on with the knowledge that you will be remembered fondly.
-Brandolyn
Monday 8 June 2015
(DA) Mistreatment of Women
The media is full of stories of women being mistreated in the workplace, at home or in public, or just mistreated in general, but it isn't until you start talking to people that it becomes clear that these are much more than stories. Women and girls are constantly being mistreated and it's not something that's only happening across the world. It's happening in our homes, our parks, our places of work and even with people we think we should trust.
These are a handful of my own experiences in THIS PAST MONTH alone.
-At work I've had people ignore me, and ask to see my manager (I am the manager) when I tell them the answer to their questions. I have witnessed male employees reply with the same answer I gave and watched as patrons accepted their word instead of mine.
-At a wedding recently I had another guest approach me, place his hand on the small of my back and say "I like how you're wearing that dress." He could have been more crass, but I did not give this man permission to touch me, and he seemed taken aback when I reminded him of this fact.
-Someone who works with me tells me to smile for him every time he passes my office. I am working and I do not need to look up from my work to smile at you. He does not ask any of the men to smile for him.
-At one of my places of work, people will come to look over my shoulder at my computer screen and place their hands on my shoulders and massage me, or come up behind me and pinch my sides. One man will even tell me when I've put on weight "Time to go to the gym!". My friends don't pinch me. My friends don't massage me, or touch my shoulders or my hips. Just because you aren't slapping my ass, doesn't mean that you are not harassing me.
The list goes on and on and started before high school. And most of my girl friends have the same or similar stories. People calling them "Sugar, or Princess at work, making sexist or dirty jokes and saying, "I'm just kidding you're like a sister to me", people getting upset when you tell them your boundaries. "Geeze, don't be such a prude!" "I was only joking." "What's your problem?" "You need to relax" "Are you on your period?" "What, you don't trust me?" I've heard all of these statements and they're ridiculous. If anyone says No or tells someone else to stop, there does not need to be an explanation.
In an effort to confront the topic of misconduct, especially unwanted physical contact I've written a chapter dedicated to it in my latest book. It is a recurring theme in my book, but one chapter deals with unwanted physical contact directly. I set it in a pub because it is easily relate-able to most people. If you haven't been grabbed, slapped or cat called in a bar (good for you) you know someone who has been made very uncomfortable by another person. Everyone knows the story; handsy person blames wandering hands on the alcohol, "But it's just such a nice ass. I bet your lips feel even better..." blah blah blah. But what do on lookers do? Usually, nothing. What do friends do? "Ugh, what a jerk." Is this enough? No, but education is spreading and hopefully one day this will only be a rare occurrence.
My friends are brilliant, and that's why I keep them around. But one of the many ways that my male friends are wonderful is that they are appalled when they hear these stories. My husband is shocked by some of the stories he hears from myself or his sister. They know that this stuff happens, but respect their mothers, sisters and friends. They know what respect means and how it looks. And most of them are confident enough to tell off someone who isn't being respectful. And I couldn't be prouder.
-Brandolyn
These are a handful of my own experiences in THIS PAST MONTH alone.
-At work I've had people ignore me, and ask to see my manager (I am the manager) when I tell them the answer to their questions. I have witnessed male employees reply with the same answer I gave and watched as patrons accepted their word instead of mine.
-At a wedding recently I had another guest approach me, place his hand on the small of my back and say "I like how you're wearing that dress." He could have been more crass, but I did not give this man permission to touch me, and he seemed taken aback when I reminded him of this fact.
-Someone who works with me tells me to smile for him every time he passes my office. I am working and I do not need to look up from my work to smile at you. He does not ask any of the men to smile for him.
-At one of my places of work, people will come to look over my shoulder at my computer screen and place their hands on my shoulders and massage me, or come up behind me and pinch my sides. One man will even tell me when I've put on weight "Time to go to the gym!". My friends don't pinch me. My friends don't massage me, or touch my shoulders or my hips. Just because you aren't slapping my ass, doesn't mean that you are not harassing me.
The list goes on and on and started before high school. And most of my girl friends have the same or similar stories. People calling them "Sugar, or Princess at work, making sexist or dirty jokes and saying, "I'm just kidding you're like a sister to me", people getting upset when you tell them your boundaries. "Geeze, don't be such a prude!" "I was only joking." "What's your problem?" "You need to relax" "Are you on your period?" "What, you don't trust me?" I've heard all of these statements and they're ridiculous. If anyone says No or tells someone else to stop, there does not need to be an explanation.
In an effort to confront the topic of misconduct, especially unwanted physical contact I've written a chapter dedicated to it in my latest book. It is a recurring theme in my book, but one chapter deals with unwanted physical contact directly. I set it in a pub because it is easily relate-able to most people. If you haven't been grabbed, slapped or cat called in a bar (good for you) you know someone who has been made very uncomfortable by another person. Everyone knows the story; handsy person blames wandering hands on the alcohol, "But it's just such a nice ass. I bet your lips feel even better..." blah blah blah. But what do on lookers do? Usually, nothing. What do friends do? "Ugh, what a jerk." Is this enough? No, but education is spreading and hopefully one day this will only be a rare occurrence.
My friends are brilliant, and that's why I keep them around. But one of the many ways that my male friends are wonderful is that they are appalled when they hear these stories. My husband is shocked by some of the stories he hears from myself or his sister. They know that this stuff happens, but respect their mothers, sisters and friends. They know what respect means and how it looks. And most of them are confident enough to tell off someone who isn't being respectful. And I couldn't be prouder.
-Brandolyn
Monday 1 June 2015
(DA) One of 'those' days
Last week I had what can only be described as 'a-hell-of-a-day'.
I was scheduled to work a shift over lunch and dinner. Usually I like one or the other (lunch or dinner), but I was looking forward to the extra hours that working both would bring.
Unfortunately for me, someone who is not as detail oriented as I am opened the restaurant that morning.
I came in and the patio was a mess, no tables had been cleaned, chairs were dirty and there was garbage on the floor. Fine, I came in early in case I needed to help out. I'll start here. I thought.
Inside the kitchen, empty boxes cluttered surfaces, the coffee station was a mess. There was no clean cutlery and there were dirty dishes on counter tops instead of in the dish-pit. I guess I'll clean this up too.
Then I got the wrong information from a co-worker about the reservations that day and the frustrations went on and on. 2 hours into my shift I was pleading with myself to have the other server sent home so that I could be in control and get everything back in order.
I was dwelling on the other person's over sights so much that I had put myself into a foul mood.
To be honest, I'm not sure what snapped me out of my bad mood. But something did, and I realized I wasn't being myself, instead I had taken on the attitude of many of my co-workers and blamed someone else for problems, whereas I try to solve problems, often before I see them.
So when I realized what I was doing, I went out of my way to help my co-worker and show her easier ways to accomplish tasks, or explained to her why certain things she was doing weren't tolerated.
She seemed glad for the tips and even applied a couple while I was there. The rest of the day went by smoothly- with the exception of one of the most indecisive tables I've ever served, but they were polite so no harm done- and that had absolutely nothing to do with my co-worker.
It's amazing to realize that you can grumble about something all you want, but unless you do anything about it, it's never going to change. So, be that change. I like to be that change, and today, it certainly paid off.
-Brandolyn
I was scheduled to work a shift over lunch and dinner. Usually I like one or the other (lunch or dinner), but I was looking forward to the extra hours that working both would bring.
Unfortunately for me, someone who is not as detail oriented as I am opened the restaurant that morning.
I came in and the patio was a mess, no tables had been cleaned, chairs were dirty and there was garbage on the floor. Fine, I came in early in case I needed to help out. I'll start here. I thought.
Inside the kitchen, empty boxes cluttered surfaces, the coffee station was a mess. There was no clean cutlery and there were dirty dishes on counter tops instead of in the dish-pit. I guess I'll clean this up too.
Then I got the wrong information from a co-worker about the reservations that day and the frustrations went on and on. 2 hours into my shift I was pleading with myself to have the other server sent home so that I could be in control and get everything back in order.
I was dwelling on the other person's over sights so much that I had put myself into a foul mood.
To be honest, I'm not sure what snapped me out of my bad mood. But something did, and I realized I wasn't being myself, instead I had taken on the attitude of many of my co-workers and blamed someone else for problems, whereas I try to solve problems, often before I see them.
So when I realized what I was doing, I went out of my way to help my co-worker and show her easier ways to accomplish tasks, or explained to her why certain things she was doing weren't tolerated.
She seemed glad for the tips and even applied a couple while I was there. The rest of the day went by smoothly- with the exception of one of the most indecisive tables I've ever served, but they were polite so no harm done- and that had absolutely nothing to do with my co-worker.
It's amazing to realize that you can grumble about something all you want, but unless you do anything about it, it's never going to change. So, be that change. I like to be that change, and today, it certainly paid off.
-Brandolyn
Duelling Amateurs is BACK!
Jason, Alex and I are back for another year of "Duelling Amateurs".
This time, because of the demands of our lives, we have decided to publish one (1) Duelling Amateurs post per week (on Mondays). The hope is that this will increase our skill as we work throughout the week to improve our content.
See you all on Mondays!
-Brandolyn
This time, because of the demands of our lives, we have decided to publish one (1) Duelling Amateurs post per week (on Mondays). The hope is that this will increase our skill as we work throughout the week to improve our content.
See you all on Mondays!
-Brandolyn
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