Friday, May 26, 2006

When the stars lined up

...and I got the opportunity to go to the Griffins, I jumped at it.
Sylvia Legris, author of the incredible book Nerve Squall which is shortlisted for the Griffin Poetry Prize, has been an important mentor over the years. The invitation that sits before me is another example of her ongoing generosity.

Now H and I just have to find our way there. We feel quite at home in the forest, in the thickest of bush, but cities are another story. It will be fun. Thanks to Tracy for advising us on where to stay, etc. Thanks to Ariel for offering us her hospitality yet again. Thanks to Sylvia for everything. I am lucky and I am grateful.

I'll post again after June 6.

29 comments:

Anita Daher said...

Cool--have fun!

GM said...

I'll meet you at the chocolate fondue fountain.

berlynn said...

Oh, Brenda! What a thrill! Have a great time. If you have time, try a coffee at the Future Bake Shop in the Annex (if it's still there).

Brenda Schmidt said...

Will do, Anita!

Chocolate fondue fountain! Heaven, I'm going to heaven. :)

Thanks Berlynn! A bake shop. Yeah! Cupcake. Layer cake. Cake. That town better have cake.

Ariel Gordon said...

Um...I think they have security guards to keep bushed poets out of the chocolate fountain.

Brenda Schmidt said...

Har har. As if security guards can stop me. We're talking chocolate here.

lindseyw said...

Congrats! Sounds fun. I'm jealous.

Brenda Schmidt said...

Thanks Lindsey! I'm pretty excited.

Tracy Hamon said...

About the chocolate fountain--Brenda, don't forget you'll be wearing a lovely outfit--put the bowl under your chin when you dip your head in.

GM said...

My goal for the Griffin is a complicated three-fold, three-year plan.

Within three years, I will:

1) Work up enough courage to immerse my hand in that fondue fountain up to the wrist.

2) Dip kiss Louise Dennys.

3) Start a conga line with a tie tied around my forehead and a drink in each hand.

I'll need photographers there to document the deeds. Ariel? B?

Brenda Schmidt said...

Good grief. This chocolate thing is getting way too complicated.

Not me, G. I'm only going once and I'll be busy photographing all the things I have to fit into one evening. If you're quick-eyed you may catch a fleeting glimpse of H and I at some point. I do hope you'll start with 2 or 3 and keep your hand out of that fountain. It would be in my way. :)

Brenda Schmidt said...

ps. It would be fun to witness the dip kiss.

Brenda Schmidt said...

Tracy, that's it! I've changed my mind about what I'm wearing. Obviously my outfit should be chocolate coloured. It's amazing how many dark brown outfits I have.

GM said...

You mean boreal forest coloured, don't you? Camoflague?

Brenda Schmidt said...

Oh, G. You need to brush up on your camo. Of course Realtree, Mossy Oak, or Advantage Timber outfits would be perfect for hanging out at a tree fountain.

Tracy Hamon said...

So, what you're saying is you're dressing as Rowntree?

Brenda Schmidt said...

ha! :)

GM said...

I guess you're right, B. I totally forgot that northern SK camo is actually more a red flannel jacket, skidoo and mullet kind-of-thing. My bad.

But seriously, I look forward to making fun of Toronto poets with you. Soon I won't be one.

Brenda Schmidt said...

And I won't be making fun of poets either. I'll be there to eat. Life's all about chocolate.

Brenda Schmidt said...

And cake. Nothing compares to my zest for cake.

Hey, lets drag our table over to the fountain...

Ariel Gordon said...

Mullets. Kissing. Full immersion baptism in the chocolate fountain...see what I miss when I take the weekend away from the blogoverse?

(Heh.)

Brenda Schmidt said...

Just think. Next weekend we can travel the blogoverse together. That is after we're done fighting over the Globe book section and after it has landed with a splat on my syrup laden plate. I'm really looking forward to that french toast...

Brenda Schmidt said...

Darn it! They must have caught wind of my upcoming visit...

GM said...

I met B and H! Had dinner with them even. They're real sweethearts! As far as I know, they're still there, possibly dancing.

berlynn said...

Aren't B&H great?

And Sylvia won, too! WooHoo!!!

Did you know beforehand, B?

Tracy Hamon said...

B & H are the best. Did she wear Rowntree?

Great for Sylvia! Wonderful.

What about the chocolate fountain? Any dipping going on?

Ariel Gordon said...

Yah G, did you get to sample chocolate-covered Louise Dennys lips? Didja? Huh?

Ooh, look:

"The evening's theme was Shangri-La and featured a silk route marketplace replete with banners of fuschia, purple and gold. Hundreds of pigmy orchids and butterflies in a dizzying array of colours adorned the room."

GM said...

From the look of shocked glee on B's face, I'd say she didn't know ahead. She hooted and hollered in a surprisingly unbirdlike way.

Lots of chocolate, but no kissing. Sigh. You really had to get your elbows out at that fountain. When we got there there were several people just hanging around, blocking the way like defencemen.

Needless to say, the gloves came off and I ninja'd their asses into submission. No one stands between a 230lb man in his chocolate fountain.

Brenda Schmidt said...

You guys are so nice! Same back at you, you know. :)

And we met G! It was kind of G and the others to welcome us to their merry table. What a lovely bunch!

We ran into a number of other people we know. Great fun! I'll post some pics in the next few days.

By the way, that was pure glee, G. No shock involved.