I have a slight case of insomnia…not surprising, as I wait to find out how something will turn out. Will that elusive soft place to land finally be in the horizon, or do I learn to bounce once again. Until then, maybe it is time to do something I put off for way too long. I am very good at submitting my column to the Local Seeker each week, but I have been negligent in posting them to my blog page www.kriscrossroads.com. It started with the move and an unstable laptop. I never want to disappoint Mai-Liis and Julia, so no matter what, I always submit my column and tuck it away for later. I delay my blog by about a week to give the Seeker the freshest content, but I realized the weeks fell behind and all of a sudden, I have to back track about 10 column postings on my blog.
I think subconsciously, it is my ode to Cornwall and that little piece I can’t seem to give up. In some recent discussions in Kingston and Brockville the topic of my writing a weekly column and blog came up. People were surprised that I did this and were curious about my topics, what was my inspiration and how do I come up with something each week? Truth is I could write a lot more if time permitted, since I usually have about 5 or 6 ideas mulling about.
Last week, I spoke to a young gentleman on the cusp of graduation who aspires to write a blog and so I shared some of my stories and feelings about it.
Blogging is a fantastic way to share your thoughts and feelings. I often start by writing the old fashioned handwriting way. It keeps me connected and as I type it, I often edit it. Those first few thoughts can make the piece come alive. A blog leaves a part of you, the most successful blogs are the ones where you really open up and share. Honestly there are some that do not make the public version, but writing it can be cathartic and freeing. I often start with a title. I still remember one day about a year ago when I could not come up with a title and my mind was racing and a deadline was looming so for fun I wrote the title the blank page. Then it dawned on me, that is it. It is how I felt at that time. What resulted one of my most emotional, raw and frank columns/blogs that I still receive comments about.
What really keeps me on track is that I have a deadline to meet so new content is always being thought of. I joked with my best friend that I walk around with my narrator’s voice in my head. That is why when I watch shows that do this, I can relate, and she concurred. I notice things and get inspired by little bits. I sometimes come up with a creative idea or a key word that I jot down and reflect on later, but most times, I start writing and it pours out on the paper. I remember in an interview my son had about his writing process, that is how he described it, like pouring out of a fountain and that is how it feels.
So although this is a stressful week, and I am plagued with strange dreams, I was fortunate that this past weekend was a bit of a throwback to my high school days; I got together with two of my closest friends from my teen years and for the first time since highschool we were all back together. The hostess Kim invited some of her current coworkers and another friend she knew well to join us. After a delicious spaghetti supper at Kim’s place, we headed out to listen to a band. I have never been a bar girl and everytime I go out, I long for Schnitzels’ and the comfort I feel there, but now I am in Kingston and with friends surrounding me, we enjoyed a well-deserved evening out. The place Raxx’s has a dance floor and the three of us had to try it out. As I gazed at the two Kim’s I was suddenly back at the GVSS gymnasium enjoying a school dance and couldn’t help but comment.
There were several times where during the course of the evening, I stated this is making my column. I’m pretty sure one of the Kim’s is waiting to see if I will write anything. Just remember you are never too old! It was great to spend time with both of them and I am hoping we get to do this again soon. We realize that one of the Kim’s still has this magnetic pull to her that always amazed us and those familiar laughs from yesteryear made me nostalgic.
Our lives have taken many twists and turns and it was so nice to spend time with them. Now that I am here in Kingston, they are hoping I stay and with my sidekicks, it could be a lot of fun. We are all parents and our kids are in the same ballpark age-wise, so talk of college and university was touched on, the new challenges we are facing and the general good spirit we share. There was some good food, a little wine and a lot of laughs. I wish a few more of our old gang could have joined us. We have reconnected and the ties that bind us will never be broken.
As for my insomnia, well I hope it is temporary. After what seemed like forever, I finally drifted off about 3:00am, so when my 6:00am alarm jolted me awake, and my cat gently prodded me to feed her, I was relieved that I didn’t dream of parachuting from my three cities with wheels on the botttom like I did the other night. Wonder what that means…
Follow Kris Ward’s Blog at: www.kriscrossroads.wordpress.com