A Bike Ride, some Pale Ale and an Irish Journo - yes, I am back!

Me, self-portrait, at Pine Point Rapids

I have been away for awhile, literally and figuratively, and for that I do apologize.  I was on a kitchen mission and while it was a good one in other ways it made me realize that some things can just not work out the way one would like.  That being said I would still go back to that kitchen if certain conditions were changed.

And it was not just the kitchen but a few broken promises, promises that I thought would maybe set me up for the rest of my life (well maybe not the rest of it but a damned good start to a "new" phase of Ownership) as an owner as opposed to an employee.  Hard sometimes to get things done when there are so many variables at play.  And before anyone starts to think that I was victimized in any way - no.  I met some very kind and generous folks.....I am still in transition I suppose.....that is my monkey on my back to deal with and no one else's.

I felt guilty for a time not writing.  Everytime I tried I just felt dejected or that I would be on some sort of placation mission.  That is not good writing.  Good writing comes from inspiration and in the case today, comes in a very natural way by virtue of meeting another fellow writer.....Eoghan Corry I salute you.  I also think you are hot but that is for another day....heheheh.

I love my bike rides for I never know what may happen.

Our conversation today was seamless and for that I was grateful.  It is rare in one's journeys to meet up with folks who when you meet them realize and say to you that they felt like they have known you for years.....that was so....I dunno, uplifting - not like my bra but much better.  We could talk as colleagues and joke and flirt as humans.

I almost felt like I was being interviewed and I rolled with it for like my Irish counterpart I too love to share stories and anecdotes.  I would not be happy if I could not tell stories....after all, why do shit if one cannot share in it.  Kind of a base way to put things but I do not care.  There will be many more chances to get more academic perhaps with my discourse.  Today is not that day.

It was kind of sad knowing that Eoghan and his travel mate ( god I forget his name so focused i was on Eoghan's grilling of me) were leaving today....these were two gents that I would have gladly taken back to my home just so we could all talk some more.  But this is a part of travel life that I know all too well - that meeting of the minds and the bittersweet partings....sometimes in life we manage to stay in touch and other times we lose sight of those we met fleetingly....it's just the way things go in our fast-paced world.

What was my point?  Oh yeah....I am back.  Well sort of - I am off next weekend for a private cheffing gig and a chance to work further on the manuscript.  I love being challenged and today I was....

Gracias Eoghan (Owen)....I hope someday to meet you again.  It was so nice to meet someone who was appreciative and someone that I felt comfortable enough with to be just me, a DriveGoddess.

Women and bylines - not enough says many of us!

I am ticked off today and not for the usual reasons but rather for the one main one being that it is my belief that as women in journalism we have not progressed much.  Our voices are still relegated to the Siberia of arts, style, culture - you know it as "fluff".  And for those of us who choose to explore, seek adventure and excitement we are warned or almost discouraged by our colleagues, both male and female, that bad things may happen to us.  Or, as sadly in my case, denied further opportunities because women just don't do this kind of work or that men wouldn't read it so it would not sell.....wow.  Is that not a limiting statement regarding men or what?

I do not believe that nonsense for one second.  No, I just think there are still those individuals for whatever reason who have this need to protect some status quo and at the expense of those of us who just love our craft.  I call bullshit on your "limitating" of my opportunities based on untrue axioms, the safety one being an insult to both genders.

So what?  Bad things can happen to me in my own city for crying out loud.  Hell, as a woman I know that all too well and the "bad things" take on many forms.

Goes without saying but I will say it anyway - I have done work that many men would never do and no, I did not engage in certain activities to make a point but rather because like other correspondents before me I felt DRIVEN to do so.  My curiosity had to be satisfied and not by proxy.

As well, another belief that is false is that women do not have strong voices like men because we are unsure of ourselves.  Bullshit again.  We have strong voices but we are tired of being called bitches, ball-breakers, aggressive, strident or hysterical because we choose to exude qualities and belief in our work the same way our male colleagues do.

So in saying this RIGHT HERE AND RIGHT FRIGGIN NOW I put forth a challenge to any editors, publishers and producers that since some of you feel that there is a "dearth" of strong female voices and such out there in the wider media diaspora then by all means get in touch with this woman who has worked in BOSNIA, KOSOVO, GUATEMALA (as covering conflicts) and as one who has traveled solo in some dangerous locales, sought adventure, had a great time, has an excellent sense of humour, is a bit of a pirate?

I KNOW that folks will want to read or listen to my opinions for many already have.  I have a fan base.

Today's musings btw?  I owe thanks to the wonderful Michael Enright of CBC Radio who had a panel of publishers and editors today discussing this very topic.  I will be sending notes to one in particular once my blood has stopped boiling.

Stay tuned kids.....this woman is about to toss some pretty strong words out there and no, they will not be in jest.