Ruminating, trying to anyway, and managing to relax a little after a hectic week. I had every intention of going to Whistler this weekend and staying at my friend Cathy’s place for a few nights but I am wiped out. Been very congested and thought it must be due to springtime allergies but then I developed severe muscles aches and fatigue.

Spent two days rehearsing with Roderick. Things never get too tedious or serious with Roderick around. He makes us all laugh. He related how he picked up a surly teenager on Christmas day. The kid had just left a family dinner, or been kicked out rather for refusing to remove his cap at the table. Roderick insisted on driving him to his destination though it was out of his way. “Why are you doing this?” asked the kid, Roderick explaining that it was Christmas, that’s what you do, give and do nice things for people. He thought the kid might have been smart enough to pick up on his point but wasn’t’ sure and then did an impression of the teen with his hat on sideways, going “Yo.” My son Lucas thought it was hilarious too.

I was also working on proposals for a multimedia show based on our AURAL Heather music/poetry and I just sent a proposal to the NFB asking for support for a new videopoem, “How To Remain In The Saddle” which will force me to get on a horse if I manage to raise the funds.

Of course there is no money in any of these endeavours though the Edmonton Poetry Festival treated me so well last fall I’m wondering why it can’t always be that way. They paid my travel, hotel, a handsome fee and feted and fawned over me as well. I can only hope it’s the start of a new trend.

I was just telling Dennis Bolen, author of “Toy Gun” that true crime is a guilty pleasure for me and that it creeps into my writing quite a lot. I have penned a haunting poem inspired by Vancouver’s missing women called “Whore In The Eddy.” It’s a powerful performance piece as well. I recently read a fascinating book called “Exquisite Corpse” about the surrealists in Los Angeles in the 40s. Apparently Marcel Duchamp was drawn to criminology as well. I’ve been called a ghoul but I think it’s natural to be intrigued, to want to understand. What motivates the murderer, etc.

Duty calls. I have to go feed the dogs, kid.