In The Closet

My husband and I went to a party last night at which so many people came up to talk to me about what I do for a living and about my website.

We had lots of fun. A friend of mine who writes for a monthly Canadian magazine asked so many insightful questions and really was interested in what I had to say. Bless him!

Why have I hidden this for so long? He mentioned there were, of course, those who would scoff and I burst into laughter: aren't there always? I laughed not because this was news to me (as, indeed, it was not) but because I was acutely aware of how little I cared that people scoffed.

I was in a room filled with some of Canada's most privileged, educated people. Everyone there held at least a B.A. and, yet, there were no signs of pretension.

I suppose that some people might feel superior to me when they find out what I do because they assume that I cannot be intelligent, that I cannot hold views contrary to their own experience and be taken seriously.

Many people are pretty silent when they discover that I hold a respectable degree and that I will be seeking another one shortly (as soon as our renovations are done).

We all have to come to terms with who we are: in my twenties, I was uncomfortable with who I am and now, in my thirties, I have never been happier. Maybe so many people struggle with direction because they feel compelled to follow only conventional and acceptable paths. I chose to follow my intuition.

Last night, I saw how comfortable I am with, well, me.

Radio

I have been asked to make another in-studio radio appearance for December. I love doing the show! (This makes 5 times this year)

I have been booking parties left, right and centre. This is in addition to my 10 am - 6 pm weekly schedule of readings. 'Tis the season.

Nanowrimo

Well, dear readers, as you probably already know, I chose not to attempt to complete my novel in a month. I love the process and I want it to take as long as it needs to in order for me to produce what I know is now brewing.

What started out as a challenge to keep writing was fantastic: I am writing and really enjoying it. I chose the quality-versus-quantity approach in the end.

Grave Secrets: The Legacy of Hilltop Drive

This movie was based on the book, Black Hope Horror: The True Story of a Haunting. I wish that I could comment on the film's fidelity to the book; however, it has been about 14 years since I read it. It certainly seemed to faithfully depict what I recall of my reading.

The book itself was gripping and hard to put down.

I enjoyed Patty Duke's performance.

Another Tarot Party

Last night, I did a tarot party and it went very well.

I have had to turn down requests to do parties because I don't really want to give up my evenings and weekends as these are for family. So, perhaps, once a month but no more.

I am exhausted today but it doesn't have to do with the readings. I try to stay up so late and then wake up very early. That's the problem with being a night person and an early riser.

Graveyard Story (1990)

I find it hard to believe that this movie was made in 1990. The low-budget, elevator-style music and stiff performances convinced me it was much older.

The supernatural was not the star of this movie.

It was nice to see Dundas, Oakville and Hamilton.

Morning Readings

Though I'm having trouble waking up, early morning readings are good for me. It forces me to get the day started and it helps me to be organized. Still, I am exhausted.

The Dead Will Tell (2004)

This made-for-television movie, featuring Anne Heche and Jonathan LaPaglia, delivered an interesting take on an old theme: haunted object leads to the solution of an old mystery.

I won't say that I didn't enjoy it. Every actor was strong and the script, though it seemed to leave little room for emotional development in the main characters, twisted and turned often enough for good surprises.

Not quite gothic (there weren't many genre characteristics), it was thoroughly a good ghost story.