The Legend of Zanta

I am currently sitting in my basement attempting to write. It's suppose to be cool down here, but it isn't... cooler yes, but incredibly muggy, even with the lights all off. It's been like this for most of the week. Everything is sticking to me, I am on the fence of a migraine... about to fall off that fence. I could use a drink right now, but save getting dehydrated, I have decided to stick to my tepid water. The last time I had any type of alcoholic beverage was this past Wednesday evening. An evening spent with both brand new and comfortable old friends.

After an hour waiting for a table on the rooftop patio of Hemingways, M decided enough was enough and made her way to the front patio scoring us a table. We were a bit disappointed that we wouldn't be sitting on the rooftop, but fun conversation, wine and a character named Zanta Claus soon turned out disappointment to sheer entertainment! Do you know who Zanta is?

The first time I saw Zanta Claus was the 2005 St. Patrick Day parade at Yonge/Bloor. Zanta was following the procession. He was shirtless and only wearing a pair of shorts, boots and a Santa hat. At first I thought he was part of the parade, but quickly realized he may be otherwise when he would continually stop, do push ups and pose, not to mention the windchill was minus twenty something. Listening to other people's conversations I quickly learned that he was a regular spectacle at all these events.

Suddenly I was seeing Zanta everywhere I went. City Hall, Queen Street, Danforth, Annex and even the subway. He always had the same attire of shorts, boots and the Santa hat. One of my girls even pointed out that he appeared to have no chest hair, was clean shaven and was quite buff. Why would he be otherwise seeing as he most likely does hundreds of push-ups a day. Wednesday night we had front row seats to push up's on a taxi cab, photo's with tourist and multiple acts of fitness. Zanta also took the time to flirt with any cute 20 year old girl that would give him the time of day.

There are many stories revolving around the legend of Zanta. Some say he was a construction working falling from a few floors up, causing brain damage, hence is outrageous personality. I wonder if we could use the same reasoning for Liberace, Rosanne Barr or Jerry Springer. Others say he may be bi-polar and not taking his medication, while another story suggests he started the whole Zanta character up to entertain his daughter during a custody trial. Only Zanta knows the real story.

After an hour of entertainment, I realized that this guy is famous. I must be doing something wrong, not to mention he has his own myspace and website!

If you are intrigued and would like to find out more, check out some of these links:

torontozanta.ca
http://molarradio.ca/?p=43
http://ohpunk.blogspot.com/2006/07/zanta-claus-is-coming-to-town.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zanta

Canadian Podcasters

Now that we are adding podcasting to our website I have become very curious as to what else is out there. I am facinated by the things you can do with a podcast. You can create a radio show, a spoken word event, read poetry, teach a class, tell people how to knit or just do something wacky. There are podcasts for absolutely everything. You want to hear about it, there is a podcast for it, every topic known to man has been covered and of course where there are podcasts, there are directories listing them.

I was curious to see how many Canadian podcasts might be out there and trust me I wasn’t disappointed. One of the best directories is a directory created by the Rogic Podcast Conglomerate. Of the sites listed in there directory Librivox really jumped out at me. This website has many free audio books. There is a nice selection of classics and poetry. I was excited to see The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll & Mr Hyde, by Robert Louis Stevenson. The deeper you dig into this website you will find listings for audiolit projects, literary podcasts and literary blogs. This is a great way to spend a rainy day!

Another outstanding site listed is called Book Ninja. This website is a wealth of information on literary news and opinion. It even has a section with a regular comic. Bravo to the creators and editors for showing the literary side of Canada.

Then there is my favourite on the list. Although not a Canadian site, how can you go wrong with a name like Book Slut. This site consists of interviews and reviews.

Ok, now back to Canadian podcasts. The Closet Geek Show. Don’t let the name fool you. This is an amazing music podcast hosted by Brent Morris. This is just one of thousands of music podcasts out there. There are also just as many weird, quirky and in your face ones such as The Psychotic Hour, The Screaming Halibut and let’s not forget Rabble.ca.

We can’t forget our news and television podcasts. CBC has one and of course almost every newspaper does as well.

Now before you go nuts and start downloading podcasts like crazy. I do have a word of warning. They aren’t all as amazing as the ones I have mentioned. I came a cross a few that were beyond awful. So bad that after a few minutes of listening I unsubscribed and for me to do that, they had to be pretty bad.

Happy Podcasting!

Shebytches Podcasts

Hi All, Shebytches.com is now podcasting!

check it out!

shebytches podcasts

rubber duckies

Recently, someone asked me what I collected. I said 'books'. Of course this wasn't what they meant... what they meant was, as a hobby. Collecting books apparently didn't fall into that category for them. I started to ponder the question, as a child it was tea cups or so I thought, I then I realized it was actually my Grandmother who was collecting them and then passing them off to me. Eventually I started collecting odd and unusual dolls. I still do, but apparently many girls collect them... so I decided I needed to collect something else. I have decided on odd and unusual rubber duckies... the odder the better. I have already started with a devil duckie and am looking for the next unusual one. Who knows this may even spark a zine or picture book of carolina's odd rubber duckies!

Canadian Women Authors to keep an eye on or continue to LOVE!

Ami Mckay - I haven't read her book yet (The Birth House), it hasn't been released but am eagerly anticipating it. I did how ever find her website and this woman is one of the most interesting women I have seen in quite some time. Check out her website http://www.amimckay.com/ or http://www.amimckay.blogspot.com/ and buy her book when it comes out in September.

Krista Bridge - A Toronto girl with a knack for short stories! Recently we were able to here her read from her first book 'The Virgin Spy' This is a great cottage read or for those who prefer short stories for novels. The stories are just long enough to give you time to sit back and relax! http://www.mcdermidagency.com/bridge.htm

Ann Marie Macdonald - I can't remember the last time it was so hard for me to put a book down. Fall on your Knees was just that book... Foolishly I lent it to a friend who then lent it out... so I no longer have my copy... I keep promising myself to buy another. Ann Marie also has two other books. The Way the Crow Flies and Goodnight Desdemona (Good Morning Juliet) (Play). We eagerly await your next novle Ann Marie. Here is a link to her bio http://www.randomhouse.ca/catalog/author.pperl?authorid=54001

Marian Keyes - 'Gracious, humble and and real.' This is how two fellow writers described Marian Keyes when they attended a book signing. A role model to everyone! Go buy Anybody Out There? right now! Here is the official website http://www.mariankeyes.com/

Margaret Atwood - My ultimate hero. Ms. Atwood has put Canadian Women authors on the map! We all should show our appreciation to her in one way or another!!! http://www.owtoad.com/

are you ready for the heatwave

I'll admit it... I am uncomfortable right now... I'm hot, sweaty and trying to not get cranky... I made a promise to myself that I wouldn't complain about the heat... and I'm not... we only go through this for a few weeks each year.. unlike the several months of snow we have to endure... so... no complaining...

The one thing I do notice about the heat is it brings out the crazies! They are everywhere.. at the grocery store yesterday... on the street today... on my street as a matter of fact... I even get a bit crazy when I am overheated... irritable.. and little things like someone putting down once of my favourite neighbourhoods has set me off and once again, another person I know said they wouldn't go into Parkdale on their own... I asked them why not... they said they would be too scared too... and then they proceeded to ask me... if I would... I said yes, being afraid of Parkdale is ridiculous, it is one of my favourite parts of the city... it is diverse, has it's funky little stores and quirky restuarants and is right beside my absolute fav neighbourhood ever... Roncesvalles.... what baffles me here is both the people who made these comments to me live in sketchy neighbourhoods themselves... yes Parkdale had a few rough years way back... but I don't get what the problem is... Parkdale is known as a hub for some of the most facsciating writers, photobloggers and artists that this city has!!! It is also a part of the city that inspires me in many ways...

Like I said... the heat brings out the crazies.

here are some links to more information about Parkdale and Roncesvalles!

http://www.g1313.org/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parkdale—High_Park
http://www.flickr.com/photos/explosivelaughter/page9/
http://deepsky.com/~madmagic/Writing/intro.html
http://www.livewithculture.ca/content/view/full/9999/
http://www.jerryapp.com/arcv_t3.html

Indie Reviews @ Shebytches.com is ready to go!

hey world! we are finally ready to start accepting materials for our Indie Reviews. you can see what you need to do here... http://www.shebytches.com/indiereviews.html. if you require more information please contact me :)

carolina

fav new blog!

If you live in toronto you need to check this out!!!

http://www.unknowntoronto.blogspot.com/

uh oh

that's right... it's been insane... so insane I haven't even blogged... work was crazy since I was leaving for vacation... two weeks...

I don't remember the last time I had two weeks off...

yesterday I checked out the yonge street festival.... boring... and the outdoor art exhibit. I recommend the outdoor art exhibit... tonnes of uber cool stuff and while you are there check out my girls Shannon Gerard and Lisa Cruji.

cs