Wow. So I'm back. In full swing ... from a string that's strong, but wearing thin ...

Dawn and me in the back of her car
in -16 degree Celsius temperatures! :o) Can't
you see I'm all rugged up?

Right ... where were we?

Um ... yep ...

Oh Canada
With your face sketched on it twice
Oh you're in my blood like holy wine
You taste so bitter and so sweet

Oh I could drink a case of you darling
Still I'd be on my feet
oh I would still be on my feet ...

I had a MARVELOUS time with Dawn in Canada. No, we didn't leave the house much (except when going to her office to do some work -- yep I had to take it with me -- boo), but, oh my gosh, did we get along like a house on fire. Lucky, because we really needed the heat in the blizzardy weather :o)

Yep, it was blizzarding when I arrived and it was blizzarding when I returned. We had planned to go on a trip to Jasper and Banff but never made it because this (on the left) is pretty much all  I could see. We also didn't want to get stuck in the mountains when I had a plane to catch ... not that that would have really mattered, because my flight, due to maintenance issues was cancelled ...

TWICE!

And I was in Calgary. In an airport, four hours drive away from Dawn, (she lives in Edmonton) so I couldn't even go back to spend the time with her. :o( I didn't leave Canada until a full 24 hours later than scheduled and I'm really behind on my work, but ... ho hum, never mind, it was TOTALLY worth it.

For the past 1.5 years, Dawn and I have been chatting on Gmail EVERY SINGLE DAY. I knew our friendship was a very special one. I knew she would take up a big chunk of my heart for the rest of my life, but I had no idea the feeling could get even more special, until I met her face-to-face. Now the chats do not really suffice. We've got a taste of this friendship in "real life" now, and it's going to be very difficult to adjust to this "internet thing" again. Woe is me ...

Dawn, if only I could call you up and say, "Wanna meet at Tim Horton's for a coffee after work despite the coffee tasting like shit?" (Sorry, Tim Horton, but after drinking European coffee all these years, yours sucks.)

Dawn. I miss you! And you had BETTER make it to Greece this summer! Or ... or ... or ... I'll kidnap your dogs somehow and you'll just have to come and get them.

Have you ever met any friends you've made blogging face-to-face? How was it?

Stuff:

• Check out one of the most interesting interviews I have ever participated in over at Eight Cuts Gallery. Wow, this guy really knows how to craft a question!
• Also, I'm in the process of compiling my life's work in music to sell on Bandcamp.com. Well, whatever is friendly to the ears ... so stay tuned.
• And pretty please with a cherry on top, if you are on Goodreads, could you do me a quick favour and add String Bridge, and Twisted Velvet Chains, to this Listopia list? It will help people find it better! Thank you!

PS: I did have a reason for the title of this post, but I seem to have lost it ... hmm ... *rubs jet-laggy eyes*

*Lyrics: Joni Mitchell, A Case of You 

Off to Canada!

Source

On Friday morning I'm heading to Canada (a birthday present to myself) to spend just over a week with a great awesome brilliant genius friend of mine, Dawn Ius, so I won't be around very much until March 7th. I have, however, scheduled a couple of blog tour posts for the ninjamatic Alex J. Cavanaugh (Feb 28th) and the stunning Rachel Morgan (March 5th).

On my way to and from Canada I have to spend big chunks of time in London Heathrow waiting for my transfers, so guess who are coming to meet me there!?!?! The fiery J.C. Martin and the glamorous Talli Roland (I'm loving the adjectives today!). And before my return flight from Calgary, I'm planning to meet the talented Stina Lindenblatt, and hopefully the lovely Steena Holmes, too!

And check out the places (PLACE ONE), Dawn is planning to take me to see (PLACE TWO). My jaw has been perpetually dropped since seeing those pics for the first time ...

But, you know what I'm most excited about? Not the fact that Dawn is taking me to see CATS on Saturday night, or the fact that for my birthday this Sunday, we are going to a Oscar Night production (that is going to be funny), or the fact I get to see where Dawn lives and meet her family ... (don't get me wrong, I'm excited about these things too!) ... but I'm most excited about being able to sit down, face-to-face, and read through Vine Leaves submissions together while sipping on a nice glass (or two or three) of wine! Oh my gosh, it really is the simple pleasures in life that I treasure the most.

Do you like the simple pleasures? Or do you need adventure and excitement to feel like you're "really living"?

Why do I feel so guilty choosing to be just a little selfish for once in a VERY long time?

So I just booked a flight to Canada over my birthday (Feb 26th, wink wink).

Among such reasons as having work stuff to accomplish over there, I'm also doing it to finally meet a very good friend of mine in the flesh. The lovely Dawn Ius. This is something which I have been dreaming of doing for way over a year now. And finally, I have the chance. And I don't care that it's only for a little over a week, and that I'm still going to have to work while I'm there. I don't care at all. It's enough to know I'll have the evenings and two weekends with her. I really really really CAN NOT WAIT!

So why do I feel so guilty?

Is it wrong to do something that doesn't also benefit those in my immediate life? I deserve something a little special for myself don't I? Don't I? I've worked damn hard over the past few years. What is wrong with giving myself this gift?

I haven't chosen to do something for myself only in I think ... maybe three years? It's time. It really is time. And what better time than over my birthday?! This gift I can give myself, is one of the best gifts ever. So please, oh mighty cosmic universe, stop making me feel guilty and give me the gift of your acceptance ...

Do you ever feel guilty when you indulge yourself? Why do you think this is?