Day 37 of the Toronto Union Strike and the light at the end of the tunnel is near. A tentative deal has been reached and we’re just waiting with, soon to be stinkless, anticipation on the official decision.
The reasons I want this to be over? Firstly, the wall of stink I hit when I walk out my front door is becomming unbearable. I can’t even imagine the maggots and such growing, breeding, eating in my compost bin. Secondly (and most importantly), this means that ferry service will be back!
One of the things I was looking forward to most in my first summer in the city, was spending my weekends at the island. It’s so calming, peaceful and inspiring. Yes, that sounds like the most cliched load of crap, but it’s honestly true.
I wanted to spend the summer writing, just dumb nonsense. Short stories, mainly and I haven’t been able to get motivated to do so. My backyard is extremely uninspiring (it could be, in part, due to the countless times I’ve heard the neighbour nextdoor shout, “I’m on the toilet!”). My bedroom is for sleeping, not writing. The parks around me are mediocre (with the cemetery across the street, but I feel wrong sitting next to a burial plot and writing something mildly witty). The Island is the perfect writing location.
I went camping at Sandbanks a few weekends ago and brought along David Sedaris‘ Me Talk Pretty One Day. It was the first book by him that I had started reading (thanks to Punnery) and I was hooked. He writes witty short stories. It was perfect for camping because short stories don’t require a lot of commitement. I was looking forward to a day at the beach with my book and was heartbroken when I’d discovered that I had left it on the roof of the car as we drove away. Le sigh. I needed more Sedaris. I made the Boy and I drive into town, to the nearest bookstore to find another of his books. Success.
I’m now reading his book When you are Engulfed in Flames and it’s just as good. Sedaris has motivated me to write (realish) short stories. Now I just need this strike to end so that I can reach my inspiration destination (without a $40 water cab fee).
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Update on my own strike: I slipped on day 21. I lifted the ban for my friend, B. Only for her. No one else. I was on my best behaviour. Was offered the opportunity to cheat the system, resisted and paid my $2.75 fare (eeer… B did).
