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

Indie Reviews

Shebytches.com is accepting Music CD’s, Bands/Artists/Spoken Word Performances/launches, Movie, Books, Comic Books, Graphic Novels, Zine and Ezines for review. We understand how difficult it is to get started as Indie artists so we will only be doing informational reviews and not critical review. We’ve all been in your shoes and know it is much more important for the world to know about you.

You can email us @ indiereviews@shebytches.com

check this out!!!

http://www.viruszine.com/_indiepress/2006/june/carolinasmart/

wow...

I guess I really am the neighbourhood pariah... I just heard from B that the neighbour across the street invited her over for wine last night. She was out on her front porch and they came over to her and asked her to join them on their front porch. They have seen me on my front porch hundreds of times and never once asked me. When she told me it kind of bothered me... one day I went to talk to this lady and she literally backed away from me. I though she was anti social. They also seemed shocked that B and I are really good friends... like it was a bad thing. Appears the neighbour lady across the street isn't the issue and it is in fact me that appears to be the problem.

Wow... I really must have a mark on my forehead and the only one who can't see my horns... what a kick in the ego that was.

Please make me laugh...

Movies don't make me laugh any more... aren't comedies suppose to? Last night we decided to rent a movie, foolishly we rented The Wedding Crashers... Thank goodness Rachel McAddams was in it or I would have hurt someone She was the only one who saved it. Ok, Jane Seymour was brilliant as the skanky Mother of the Bride but... that was about it... The only two times I laughed the movie were when Vince Vaughn got hurt. That boy needs some sense knocked into him anyway.

Yes here I go on my Vince Vaughn rant again... why is he wasting his talent on stupid guy humour comedies... yes, it's big bucks, but he is a dramatic actor and a great one at that!!! Why is he wasting his talent!

Very, very soon I am going to boycott all of Hollywood made movies and stick to British made films and foriegn films... at least I have the subtitles to distract me if the move gets out of control.. or boring...

The only bright light these days is Jack Black and the guy who wrote Napolean Dynamite. Two men. Two men are all that are left in Hollywood with a creative bone... Two....

Can anyone recommend a good foreign film to me???

my favourite new blog

check this blog out! it's my new favourite!!1

http://sexlesscity.blogspot.com/

Just for fun! Do it!

Just for fun! Do it!

Between us and only us... whoever reads this I wanna know 21 things about you. Fill in all the blanks ... leave no question unanswered! ANSWER IT AND SEND IT TO ME by hitting reply to poster at the bottom, THEN COPY AND REPOST IT FOR YOURSELF!


1.Your Full Name:
2. Age:
3. Single or Taken:
4. Favorite Movie:
5. Favorite Song:
6. Favorite Band/Rapper/Artist:
7. Kinky or Clean:
8. Tattoos and/or Piercings:

HERE COMES THE FUN ... ... ...

1. Do we know each other outside of myspace?

2. Whats your philosophy on life??

3. Would you have my back in a fight?

4. Would you keep a secret from me if you thought it was in my best interest?

5. What is your favorite memory of us?

6. Have we ever been drunk together?

7. Would you give me a kidney?

8. Tell me one odd/intresting fact about you:

9. Would you take care of me when I'm sick?

10. Can we get together and make a cake?

11. have you heard any rumors of me lately?

12. Do you/have you talk(ed) crap about me?

13. Do you think I'm a good person?

14. Would you drive across country with me?

15. Do you think I'm attractive?

16. Have I seen you naked?

15. do you wanna have sex with me?

17. If you could change anything about me, would you? what would it be?

18. What do you wear to sleep?

19.Would you come over for no reason just to hang out?

20. Would you go on a date with me if i asked you?

21. Will you post this so I can fill it out for you?

Why must we lie about our age!

This question is starting to IRK me!!! Big time!!! I know it shouldn' be bothering me... but it is. I know women who are proud of their age. One of my dearst friends in the world isn't afraid of it! She is turning 49 in a few months and is proud of it!!! Her sister is 44 and damn proud of it! I am 39 and in a month and a half will be 40. I'm damn proud of it!!! None of us actually look our ages... we could easily knock ten years off and get a way with it, but we don't.

Then there are the women who lie about it. They lie to get ahead, they lie because they are afraid men won't want them if they fess up, they lie because growing old is an insult to them... One of them keeps telling the world that she is 33... when if fact she is 38. I know because I have seen the drivers licence. The other one is also 38 but continues to tell everyone she is 35... I know her real age because she told me one night when she was drunk! And this is bothering me. It's not bothering me because of my own vanity. I just told you my age so I can't be that vain. It's bothering me because these women are ashamed of saying they are older and that makes them ashamed of us, the ones who tell people how old they are... and that is starting to annoy me!

Happy Evil Day!

Happy Evil day everyone. Today is 6, 6, 6, (June 6, 2006).

Which is fitting because I am apparently evil! This is according to both people I know and strangers... See my article this week at shebytches.com.

I've decided to give in to the darkside.

Yours Truly,

Darth Lina

my week from hell...

Welcome to my week from hell! Being the child of Loki, I'm am not surprised by it all... just growing increasingly tired of it. All Hell broke loose Monday morning with the TTC strike, Tuesday I was late due to many delays on the subway... yesterday was 40 minutes late due to the west bound train being shut down because an emergency... then today... it's month end at work and anything that could go wrong did! More motivation for me to get enough freelance work to stay at home and write all day...

cs

me complain?

I am not going to complain about the heat. I'm not. I may be melting, but after the crap weather on the may 24th long weekend, I welcome the warmth! Just wish some of this excess fat would melt off!

What I am going to complain about is the TTC. You know, the only public transit system taht went on strike today without giving us fair warning... you know.. those idiots!!! I understand why their reasons for going on strike, but don't feel there actions made sense. There were other venues they could have taken to air their greivances. Not put 700,000 commuters in a bind. Fortunately I have a decent and understanding boss who told me it was ok just to stay at home for the day.

I do have to say that I did get quite a bit done. I am making progress on a short story I am writing for a submission, some paperwork out of the way, got the new issue of shebytches.com up in record time and am progressing on the book I am reading. 'The Jazz Age' by F. Scott Fitzgerald. I don't remember the last time I was able to just sit back and read for a few hours, in my back yard, listening to the birds.

Back to the 9 to 5 tomorrow, which I hope will soon turn into me sitting at home and writing and getting paid for it.

cs

I want a do over...

Ask me if I am depressed and bitter about the crappy weather over the long weekend!!! No really go ahead and ask me... I woke up this morning and looked out at sunshine... the forecast is predicting warm sunny days... today at lunch I didn't need my jacket... WHY COULDN'T the weekend have been that way... hmmm... hmmm.

NO, no... it had to be crap. Yes I was busy working on my portfolio for a good chunk of it.. but Sunday decided I would spend the afternoon out. The only day I could really and what happened... CRAPPY weather... It was cold and wet and CRAP! Oh the weather people are predicting a long, hot, dry summer, could it have not started on the long weekend... How come the Americans get perfect weather for their upcoming Memorial Day weekend... why...WHY???

What was accomplished, seeing as I was stuck inside... well let me see...
Portfolio is 80% done.
House is tidy
Planted some herbs
I spend some quality time with spiders in my basement office...
I defiantly BBQ'ed last night in the freezing cold!

Not accomplished...
Yard work
Planting in my garden
Getting some much needed sun.. I glow in the dark currently...
Sitting on my front porch drinking wine
Having dinner outside on the deck

I say we should get a do over... we should be able to have this coming Monday off as well!