Back into blogging? Darn rights

Another year, another dollar, another trip around the sun. My blogging and writing in general took back-burner compared to utter frustration with lack of journalism jobs. Expensive piece of diploma paper and student loan having forged me into a legit journalist without a newsroom.

Other than tiny outposts in frigid backwoods of the tundra or random places in north-east Ontario. Not complaining, just stating facts that occupational outlook not being too good as a writer for hire.

Heard that journalists were being cut left right and centre. Veterans or new grads, it didn't seem to matter in the cyclical cycle of 'multimedia' video-blogger trend. I have shot perhaps three videos in my life so would need some time to perfect that to publishable state. No funds for schooling? Needed to pay the bills so I took advantage of a Alberta Works program to train as a health care aide -- health care is a huge economic factor with baby boomers retiring, eventually -- if only to have a steady income as I figured freelancing out.

The other side of my writing freeze was personal life taking over my focus. Planning for a wedding with my beloved fiancee. A bunch of family, spiritual, and personal issues took paramount at times as I approach over-the-hill of 30, but such is life indeed. Don't worry age 30 is the new 20.

I knew it took some devotion of energy into better communication, brain-storm, pre-marriage counseling and picking wedding complimentary colours for ties and bridesmaid dresses, photographers, pastors and caterer arrangements. It's been to the point of overwhelming with trends and options, but interesting nevertheless. Maybe I'll write more on that subject as the date approaches in July ^_^

Also took a total hiatus from writing anything published in favour of writing for fun. Goofy stuff, a few poems and a fair number of personal letters to friends. But some months I barely wrote and it was weird having no deadlines at first. I was studying too much in health aide course half the summer anyway.

Even took a stab at writing a novel during November month long Nanowrimo challenge. Got a third of the way through it until work schedule overwhelmed. I thoroughly enjoyed novel writing and will find plenty more fiction coming out of my laptop typewriter.

Excuses aside, I needed to re-establish my writing, for the pure exercise of writing regularly.

So back-story of frustration aside, I was very glad to try my hand at something different. Learning basic anatomy and medical terminology gave me a different perspective of life. Working and supporting the elderly and infirm has given me an eye opener too. Both on health care issues and on the amazing staff who care for those needing a helping hand.

Bound by FOIP and protection of privacy of vulnerable persons acts, I obviously wouldn't disclose a single experience, complaint/joy of work, nor reveal anything about my work. Didn't leave me with much to write back home about. It is pretty exhausting body and mind some days for being inspired to write -- flop on the couch tired. But such is life and I definitely respect the residents I work with and started to find balance of work/play/sleep.

Either way, redefinition was in order of this lowly piece of turf I call my blog. I am content to pound up semi-regular self-assigned feature, exercises, and photo essays, perhaps throw in an occasional editorial. Likely I am safe from copyright to post my newspaper articles as well -- seeing how I need a new folio to freelance with recent work.

If this sounds similar to a past post, what can I say, life took me elsewhere for a ride.

To be honest, a bunch of research went into the blogosphere as well. I know I'm too much of a multi-faceted generalist to write purely about cooking, or an unhealthy obsession of Twilight (so last month compared to City of Bones or whatever is cool now), or whatever kids write about nowadays. So I read a lot -- from graphic novels to classic lit and everything in between. Really enjoyed it and re-expanded my writing style from 400 word max, inverted pyramid of journalism cut-to-chase information, back to my first college major in English.

So bing bang boom, I write in my spare-room. No need to copy-edit much as I made a midnight deadline to hit.

-- PLR --

Interviews Bucket-list

When journalists get talking, inevitably they start to drop names to put a Hollywood agent or socialite to shame.

From talking to mayors about their kids to Members of Parliament about hockey and party leaders about travels; from Jimmy Herman (from Dances with Wolves) about addictions, to George Stroumboulopoulos about moshing at concerts; and from Canadian astronauts, veterans and engineers to more musicians and great artists than I can keep count... I've had my share of chats with charismatic people who made for an engaging interview.

It's the sort of conversation that you just don't want it to end because it's just a completely invigorating battle of wits or enlightening and hilarious or sad stories that really challenge a writer to get it right.

So when I hear of a great story, like a great man and his dog, like Roosevelt and his Scottish Terrier, Fala or Mackenzie King and his Irish Terriers, Pat and Bob. Or when I read a biography like George Carlin's outspoken critiquing and critical thinking on social issues. I think, would I love to have been able interviewing them. Not to say that normal people aren't interesting, yet a witty mind like of someone like Dr Seuss would be fun to pick through and quote.

Maybe I'll just do that from these people's speeches and letters -- could be fun. Of course, like most writers, I have a bucket list that gets longer as I try to get through it.

Here's a short list with whom I'd love to sit down if they were still around:

Albert Einstein, Nikola Tesla, Jane Goodall, and Alexander Bell -- a few of the heroes of science.

Mark Twain, Hunter S. Thompson, Margret Atwood, and Ernest Hemmingway -- writers with long conversation over drinks.

Dorothy Lange, Yousef Karsh, Ted Grant, and Henri Cartier-Bresson -- amazing photographers who I admire.

Bob Dylan, Aretha Franklin, Roy Orbison, and Janis Joplin -- voices of a generation before my own came into existence.

Fidel Castro, William Churchill, the Dali Lama, and Mohandas Gandhi -- leaders in peace and freedom.

Mother Teresa, Maya Angelou, Nelson Mandela, and Helen Keller -- saints of tolerance and patience.

Amelia Earhart, Charles Lindbergh, the Wright Brothers, and Alan Shepard -- flying off on adventure fearlessly.

Babe Ruth, Larry Bird, Johnny Bright (CFL running back) and Maurice Rocket Richard -- breaking sports records and striving in life.

Eleanor Roosevelt, Princess Di, Marilyn Monroe, and Audrey Hepburn -- charm and grace embodied.

Julia Child, Jamie Oliver, the Iron Chef, and Gordon Ramsey -- masters of one of my favourite subjects, cooking.

This list is hopefully not missing anyone incredible, and I know I've likely missed Olympians and other great speakers and leaders.

But more so plenty of those 'ordinary' people who became heroes by their actions. Those great local people who deserve 15 minutes of fame.

One great source of those stories are indie magazines and weekly newspapers. Those people were the most fun and rewarding to talk with like this young teacher who was awarded a top honour for making a difference in her class and caring about her kids.



Or this guy who had hunted down a speedy, shy and elusive jackalope. Sadly I was unable to have enough room in the newspaper layout to print this photo. So as usual, it was the tall tale that got away. The guy was really neat to talk with about hunting and the camaraderie out in the woods.

It's just as hard to get those shy people to open up, but once they do, it's awesome.

The real question is who do we miss hearing the real story from? Those who are those unsung heroes from all walks of life; those who are old and feel they are forgotten; those who are the local wise-crack or just plain wise; those who do all kinds of amazing things and are humble in their talents or contributions.

Take some time to listen, for those who need to tell their story too.

Skeeters from all over Hwy 16 and other surprises

By Philip Rushton
Hinton Parklander

Being in a new office every week as a temp during summers and after graduating is nothing new for this intern.

On the other-hand, being in a new town every week is very different.

Shooting photos on a river jet-boat one weekend, then a rodeo, then munchkins in theatre camp Wizard of Oz presentation, and who knows what next. It's a great part about community newspaper.

Not so great is being lost in a new town every week with directions like 'across from Tim Hortons'. If only I knew where the Timmy's is located. Or 'where the old fire station was before they moved'. I don't know where the new fire station is, let alone the old one.

Testing 1.2.3.... thanks for dropping by this experiment

Right. It's a dreary blustery Chinook of a night and I'm reading and turning in around midnight. Good as any a time to rekindle my writing.


If I thought the purpose of snogging blogging, journaling oh so eventful, dear diary my life is emo important, to write down all the little happenings of my day about the mustard stain on my shirt and armchair cynicism on how to run the gov't. If it hadn't really caught my fancy for the longest time it's because it seemed so darn trendy. On the other glove, fact is that I HAVE to post in order to build up my writings skills. I had gotten so lazy once I stopped having to learn, research, study, and regurgitate on the test.


Oh how I miss the pressure but don't really miss GPA stress of school. Yet the assignments were so great at forcing me to write daily. Now, instead I"m feeling like doing something else like reading, playing video games or poking the cat... Anything instead of the point of my occupation with getting all the ideas flowing through my head onto paper. At least in digital form.


SO might as well face the fact that I rarely have to write 500 words even in an email any more. That's just not good enough after writing 2000 word essays and in-depth articles. I miss it and I must get back into practice. Like I have been saying for ages or how I thought I'd lose 10lbs by starting to swim and work-out again. Apparently it takes three months to really start to lose any weight because your liver has to break down the fat. Makes that saying about chewing the fat make more sense now.


If I keep going for three months, I'll be in better shape with my writing, maybe even more energy after I get off the couch or computer chair once in a while. I even wrote out a game-plan so I can keep myself accountable.


One of the things I really did want to focus on was good news stories and links to interesting studies & articles. Like this entrepreneur/philanthropist of a gentleman in Toronto who went away from a meeting with the great Nelson Mandela and took to heart Mandela's words that “Education is the most powerful weapon with which you can change the world.” It's a good read in the Maclean's business section -- some interesting stuff is written in there so do check it out.

This has been a good night of write and soon to be regular thing. Thanks and goodnight.

-- PLR --