Bloodstains? No problem.

My sister had a nosebleed yesterday. Normally I don’t think that would freak her out as much as it did. But, it was her very first one. There was a lot of blood. And she’s pregnant. This being her first pregnancy she didn’t know nosebleeds are common. Plus there was A LOT of blood. It’s a good thing CSIs didn’t come in and luminol the bathroom. The part that irritated her the most though was that she got blood on her favourite jogging suit. It’s a really nice suit too. Looks very comfortable. But bright red blood splashed all over the cream coloured waistband. Spray n Wash to the rescue. Her husband treated the stains and let it sit for 5 minutes. Then he threw the suit in the wash. After the jogging suit dried you couldn’t tell anything had ever stained it.

I hope it works just as well on other stains. I have a feeling, once the baby arrives, stains will be the norm in our house.

Until next time…

Cindy

Fanexpo - the aftermath

Fanexpo was great on Saturday. I didn’t get to as many retailers as I’d liked. I didn’t get my sword or my dagger. Maybe next year. I did go to the workshop I wanted to go to - Breaking into Film. It was pretty good with a panel of people who each got into film in a different way. Some went to school for it. Some didn’t. Angela just fell into it from acting. All in all it didn’t suck the hope right out of me.

I also finally managed to make it to a screening this year. next year I want to go to more. If you like comedy with your horror and gore Hatchet is the movie for you. It was really funny, really gory and very entertaining. It opens in theatres September 7.

I found out that the celebrities charging $25.00 for autographs were actually charging less than most celebrities. One person (Adam West) was charging $50.00!!!!

I’m already wondering what they will have next year. My goal is to make it to more workshops and more screenings. I might even take the Friday off and stay at a hotel downtown so I can enjoy all three days of the expo.

For now, I’m back to revising this script. I really want to send it out to the company that requested it. Sometime this year would be good.

Until next time…

Cindy

You want me to pay for that?

It’s that time of year again. When the sci fi nerds and horror freaks come out and invade Toronto. This Saturday is FanExpo. I can’t wait to go. This year I will actually be going to some of the intimate and interactives and a workshop or two. I will definitely check out the Warner Bros. booth. And of course all those retailers. I might actually get the sword and dagger I’ve wanted for years.

And again this year some of the stars are charging for their autographs. Some are charging for photo ops. If Jensen Ackles charges for autographs, no one tell me. I don’t want to be disappointed in him too. I guess it’s just me but I thought giving autographs was part of their job description as celebrities. If anyone can give me a good reason as to why these celebrities find it necessary to charge their fans (the people who put them where they are) for the privilege of signing a picture or standing beside them for a few minutes, please post a comment. I won’t buy the whole “Well they can turn around and sell it on eBay for a profit” excuse. So what? Why does that justify taking $20-$25 from fans, some of whom probably don’t have a lot of money to begin with? Do the celebrities not get an appearance fee to attend these conventions? Do they give the money they charge for autographs and photo ops to charity? If so, sign me up. For that I would gladly pay.

One star who is not charging this year is Colin Ferguson of Eureka. It’s a pretty good show. I just started watching it myself, catching up on the episodes airing on SPACE. I’m just sorry he’s signing on Sunday. I won’t be there Sunday. But for anyone else, he’ll be signing at 4:00 pm at the SPACE booth.

Until next time…

Cindy

Home sweet home

I went home (to Cape Breton) for a week. It so wasn’t enough time. And now I’m home again (in Toronto). When I have time (what is that anyway?) I’ll post pictures over in the gallery. I didn’t get a chance to visit my land. And I didn’t swim in the river or walk to the quarry like I’d wanted to. But I did swim in the ocean and take tons of pictures. Saw a moose running down the road on the way back from Ingonish. Got to spend a lot of time with my parents. My sister and her husband were there too. Thanks Brian! He looked after the cats while we were gone. He’s great. And extremely hot to boot. Not a bad combination

Now it’s back to the real world Work, which isn’t so bad. Writing, which is awesome. And of course going to the bar this Saturday night. Amy, Kathy and I are going back to On the Curve. It was pretty good the first time we went. Should be good this time too.

I’m off to work on revisions again. I have to get this screenplay sent off soon. Good news - so far everyone who has read it likes the ending. That’s the first thing they mention.

Until next time…

Cindy

You want me to do what?

My friend, Amy, and I went to a bar last night. Arizona Bar and Grill. We went early to have dinner. I had the stuffed sole. It was amazing! Then we stayed for the dancing that usually starts around 10:30. I guess with this being summer it took a little while for the place to get busy. Finally around midnight the dance floor started getting packed.

We were dancing. Some guy started bugging both of us. Amy shooed him away. I told him I had a boyfriend. Worked like a charm for a few minutes. He went away. But then he started to come back. And then like out of a novel (or a movie) another guy approached us and started talking to us. It must have looked like he was my boyfriend because creepy guy skulked off. But our saviour was crazy! He actually wanted us to leave with him and his friends and go back to their place for a few drinks. Please, girls, tell me you would never fall for that. No matter how cute (and he was cute) the guy is. I was the driver. I said no. Then he tried a different approach. His friends would meet us there and he could ride in my car. Uh, I don’t think so. I do not have VICTIM tattooed on my forehead. Now, my gut feeling was that we would have been perfectly safe with this guy. But he was at least 6′2″ and muscular with strong hands. A great smile. But I’m 5′4″ and Amy is 5′1″. Again, I said no. He tried really hard to convince me. Actually asked me if I thought he would hurt us. My reply, “Ted Bundy didn’t look like a serial killer either.” He laughed. Then he agreed with me.

Please, girls, think before you leave with anyone. Trust me, the temptation was there. He was CUTE. But common sense should always prevail over hormones in a case like this. You might have a gut feeling that the guy is okay. But is that the alcohol you’re feeling? Your own wishful thinking? Always, always leave a bar with the person/people you went with. Not one person more, not one person less.

And a note to the guys. If you’re going to a bar - one that has dancing after a certain hour especially - don’t go alone. Maybe I’m just suspicious by nature, but a guy alone at a bar tells me one of three things. Well, it tells me more but the top 3 are: 1. He has no friends (which is not good). 2. He has friends who don’t know he’s a serial killer by night and he likes to hunt alone (really not good). 3. He’s going with the intention of “getting lucky” and doesn’t want friends there who he’ll have to leave with (do I have to say it?-not good).

Despite all the above it was still a fun night. We won’t have time to go back for dancing until August but I’m already looking forward to it.

Until next time…

Cindy

We interrupt this series…

I had to slip this in now instead of waiting until the end of the screen writing series. I needed to vent. My friend, who shall remain nameless (Christine), is sick. Really sick. Light headed. Coughing. Stuffy. Actually wants to go to the doctor. Sick. So what did she do yesterday? Stay in bed and drink hot liquids? Rest all day so she could get better? No. She went to work. And why did she go to work? Because she’s the only trainer. Now I say, let someone else fill in if they can or send the clients home. Her health is more important. She thinks the clients and her work are more important. Will her company think she’s unreliable if she calls in sick? Maybe. If they’re unreasonable and unfeeling. But her company is an Employer of Choice. So why on earth go into work when you’re that sick? Because she has that complex. That - the whole world will end if I’m not there to stop it complex. And she does what all good mothers do. Puts herself last. That’s fine when it comes to your children. Although I don’t believe mothers should put themselves last. But it’s definitely not fine when you put your job ahead of your health. Okay finished venting.

Part 4 of the series will be up tomorrow.

Until next time…

Cindy