Stuff Happening

Couple new developments in work, writing, and speaking worth sharing.

I just applied to a couple jobs, the most interesting being one within one of Canada's premiere TV networks. It's an Admin and Communications position and is only temporary, which suits me just fine. If I get the job and am really, really lucky, it could also be a good step into some Scriptwriting work. Maybe. We'll see.

The book is still a thing that will eventually happen. It's still going to be about transitioning to adulthood with a disability, but now I'm starting to think of leaving a lot of the bigger things like housing, adult healthcare, subsidized income, etc. out almost entirely since those are all pretty region/person specific. Focus on general, all-encompassing things like getting out on your own (school, work, whatever), being social, coping with your own disability, and so on. At least, that's the plan for now. 

Finally, the speaking opportunity I wrote about earlier is now formally scheduled for the 20th of October and the class is called Disability & Relationships. Starting to think of things to say, and it should be interesting.

That's all for now. Cheers!

Speaking Again

Good news!

I've got a speaking opportunity getting lined up for some time in November. It will be as part of a panel for a class at one of the local universities devoted to family and disability. There may be some other speaking opportunities to come out of it too, if I'm lucky!

I've spoken to this particular class a couple times before, but on behalf of Easter Seals. This time is 100 per cent me, so it should be interesting.

Will post updates when they happen.

Cheers!

Down East

I got back Sunday from a trip to Dartmouth, Nova Scotia visiting my Nanny Perkins (yes, I still call my grandmother Nanny). I try and get down there once a year for a couple of days. It's a change of scenery, something to do, and my Nanny likes the company.

I left super-early Thursday morning (4:30 am!) to catch a 6:30 flight. It was so early that I actually got to see the guy who delivers our paper! Anyway, I got to the airport, through security, had breakfast (thankful Tim Horton's opens at 5:00), and boarded my plane.

A couple helpful tips for flying with a disability: I always make sure to use the facilities (you know what I mean) well before boarding and I take a change of clothes in my carry-on just in case. I also always have a flight attendant meet me during pre-boarding. I can get on the plane itself, but I usually find I need help with the ramp.

Anyway, the flight was good, saw the sunrise somewhere above Montreal which was awesome, and I met my Nanny at the Halifax airport. After spending the day relaxing (sleeping) after that early morning, we went to a local restaurant for fried clams, one of my must-haves when I'm in Nova Scotia!

Not the actual meal, but close enough.

 The next day it seemed like things just couldn't go our way. I had brought a tablet from home, hoping to show my Nanny my photos and blog posts from Chicago, so we went to McDonalds so I could access their Wi-Fi but it was down. Then we tried a Tim Horton's, and theirs threw me off. At least we were smart enough to get some food first. Later we went out to get lobster rolls (it was recommended that I try one), but those sucked. However, the day's mishaps were soon forgotten thanks to a simple, yet delicious, salami and cheese sub.

That's right, the high point of an entire day for me was a sandwich. But this isn't an ordinary sub. This salami and cheese sub, with a large chocolate milk to round out the meal, is one of my ultimate guilty pleasure meals. Seriously, I can only get this once a year and it's definitely worth the wait!

Cheesy, meaty, greasy goodness!

Yep, I'm actually posting this photo.

Afterwards, I ventured down to my Nanny's basement, which has always been my favourite part of the house, and took photos of a lot of stuff. There were my mother's vinyl records, old books, and this thing:

Slide-viewer?

Some of my Papa Perkins things from the navy.

Emblems from some of the ships he was on

Caricature of him as a drill sergeant. One of my favourites.

And plenty of old photos, many of me.



Baby photos



Parents and I in Old West costumes.

High school grad photo

My Papa Perkins, gone 20 years this coming April

Saturday, we took the ferry from Dartmouth to Halifax. I had only taken it once before last summer, and it was pretty easy to do. Sort of like taking a bus! My first stop in Halifax, same as always, was Strange Adventures comic shop. My Nanny and I then walked around a little and stopped for lunch.

Before leaving the next day, I wanted to get one more photo. When I was little, my Papa painted my name on a rock on their property. From then on it's been Scott's Rock.

Paint's still there, twenty-some years later!

I flew back later that evening, seeing the sunset from the plane. Great trip.

Cheers!