January 23, 2007

EVIL INTENT

Is there such a thing as pure ’evil’, that exists as a separate malicious entity? Or is the concept of evil an emotional value we attribute to something that just ‘is’?

In a small New Westminster courtroom this morning, the trial of British Columbia’s infamous pig farmer got underway. Robert William Pickton stands charged in the killings of six women who vanished from Vancouver’s downtown East Side. It’s the start of a lengthy and graphically gruesome quest for justice on behalf of 26 ‘missing women’, all of whom lived on the margins of society, and for the longest time were simply forgotten.

Pickton has apparently admitted to murdering a total of 49 women. He was allegedly aiming for an even 50, but the pig farmer got sloppy, it seems ….  and bits of human remains and DNA were found on his farm.

For those of us writers interested in such things as serial killers, and the notion of evil, or simply trying to understand what fuels a monster like this, this is the: CBC news link.

This’ll be one for the record books …

January 22, 2007

BALANCE

Not much writing today. I spent Sunday morning on the trails while DD#2 was busy with her X-country lesson. I plan to make every Sunday morning — the entire morning – my time to commune with nature, and get away from the computer — rain, shine, snow ….. or deadlines (Hmmm … might have to rethink that last one )

January 20, 2007

WHISTLER’S WHISKEY JACK

Can you see the peanut in his belly?

Saturday morning. Family has gone up in that gondola. The air is gorgeous. And I’m settled in for writing (or procrastinating, as the case may be ).

How about you? 

A GOOD PLACE

The lower fairways. Looks flat as a pancake in the photo, but it’s one helluva climb from the village on skate skis to get here — well, for me, anyway. Especially with no poles (Irene’s idea of fun). The view back down Howe Sound, however, is reward enough. So is the crystal-sharp air.

I was here on my lunchbreak last week, while back home my phone rang. The message left was from an editor in New York, and the offer was for another book contract — part of a Harlequin continuity outside of series. The ‘i’s are not dotted, nor the ‘t’s yet crossed, and a deal is never done until … you know … it’s a done deal. But it looks like I have another project in the pipe for this year :)  I’ll post more details when I can.

Meanwhile — I’m thinking the fairways on a sunny day holds damn fine fortune :) :).

Plus … and this is a real plus … I wasn’t home with a mouthful of marbles just waiting to make a fool of myself at the surprise  — because believe me, this I have done.

January 19, 2007

TWOONIE THURSDAY - AT THE START LINE

It was classics-only night for the x-country Twoonie Thursday race. I did my one chapter today, and then some. I did mum stuff. I did chore stuff. And I was pooped before I even made it to the race start line —  after dark. Now I’m too tired to say more … (or take better pictures)

Until tomorrow –  Another day. Another chapter And some long-term goals.

January 18, 2007

My horoscope :
Let me clarify your situation for you, Cancerian. Up until a short time ago, you’d been wandering through halls of mirrors, metaphorically speaking. Then you spied a hammer on the floor, got seized by a rash impulse, and proceeded to smash a lot of glass — again, metaphorically speaking. That was the first step to finding your way out of the labyrinth. Now you’re ready for the next step: actually escaping. As you head out, I advise you to be careful that you don’t cut yourself on all the shards. Liberation is near enough; there’s no need to rush. Walk calmly and carefully towards the sound of the heartbeat you hear in the distance, metaphorically speaking.

I love this guy!! You can twist his words to suit yourself :). But I do find this apt — today in particular.

If I want to take anything to the next level, pacing myself will be key this year.