Reunions

I wrote this last night at 11:30 after I got back from Edmonton, from my beloved mentor, Gail Sidonie Sobat's, book launch for her new book "Chance to Dance for You."

I just got back from Gail's book launch and oh my goodness I can't believe how much I've missed her. I barely got to talk to her, but just being able to be in the same room as her, and see her, made my heart ache a little bit. When I lived in Edmonton I saw her quite regularly because I was part of SWYC, which she is the director of. But now that I live in Red Deer, which is too far to drive to be part of SWYC anymore, and  I don't get to go up to the city as often as I'd like, I rarely see her. Gail is one of those magical people that just...she's almost indescribable. She is the reason I am how I am, really. Well, her and Jo and Hank and John. But she most of all, because I actually know her, you know? She is the one who created YouthWrite, she was the first person to really accept me for me, and show me that it was okay that it was okay to be me. She showed me that it was okay to write, to be crazy if I wanted to, or quiet if I wanted to. YouthWrite was when when I first started coming out of my shell. It was the first time I felt like I belonged somewhere, and that is all because of her - she accepts everyone, no matter who they are. In a lot of ways, Gail saved me - from years of misery, from loneliness. She is just such an amazing woman, and I need her in my life more. (And I officially only need one more of her books Aortic Caprice.)

SWYC was at the book launch - they performed part of the book. Instead of her reading, she had them perform part of the book, which was so cool. And ohmyjesus as soon as they walked out to perform I had this pang on longing. I should've been up there with them, dammit. I miss them sosososososo much. I really wish teleportation was a thing.

The night was really amazing, though. I got to see Gail, and a whole bunch of friends I haven't seen for nearly a year. I also go to talk to Mark Haroun, who is a YouthWrite supervisor, or was, I don't know if he still is or not, but he's also a writer for Heartland. I talked to him about the industry, and it was really amazing. We had a great little conversation while waiting to get our books signed by Gail. I told him that I was a tech, and that I wanted to make movies, and that I was doing Bard on Bower this summer. It was so cool. Haha, and I have a story, actually. We were talking about how much we loved bookstores, and I mentioned that when I bought "Matched" I read 5 chapters before I realized what I was doing and had to go buy it. I didn't mention the name of the book and he asked - teasingly -, "Was it Harry Potter?" Apparently I'm obvious to even people I don't know well. I mean, I wasn't even wearing an HP paraphernalia or anything! It was the best.

My only regret of the night is that I forgot to get a picture with Gail.

I've also decided that I need to start writing every day. I really really do. Let's see if I can do it.

Edit: I've created a work out blog so that maybe I'll be more accountable with my gym "dates" - check it out if you want to be super bored.