carolina smart

Out with the old... in with the new

2011-02-18T19:15:00.001-05:00

I've started a new blog. Time for a fresh new look to go with my fresh new life!

Follow me here!

http://carolinasmart.tumblr.com/

What does this mean?

2011-02-17T20:12:00.000-05:00

Two nights ago, I had a very short yet very vivid dream. There were 3 birds sitting on the hood of the car. I walked up to them and they didn't fly off, I extended my hand and it was full of bird seed, which the birds proceeded to eat. The birds were Red (I think a Cardinal), second was bright orange and the third was smaller, orange with a black stripe on it's wing and red underneath.

Any dream experts out there, that might know what it means?

Another day in paradise.... NOT

2011-02-10T13:35:00.000-05:00

I'm sitting here, trying to work on movie short ideas. I had a brilliant flow going when....

BEEP! BEEP! BEEP! BEEP! BEEP! BEEP! BEEP! BEEP! BEEP! BEEP! BEEP! BEEP! BEEP! BEEP! BEEP! BEEP! BEEP! BEEP! BEEP! BEEP! BEEP! BEEP! BEEP! BEEP! BEEP! BEEP! BEEP! BEEP! BEEP! BEEP! BEEP! BEEP! BEEP! BEEP! BEEP! BEEP! BEEP! BEEP! BEEP! BEEP! BEEP! BEEP!

That's right folks... another fire alarm. The building I live in has monthly fire alarms tests weekly... and constant false alarms. I don't even bother trying to find out if there is an actual fire anymore.

So... what will the next few hours entail for me. Calming down my noise sensitive pooch. Trying to get my flow back and attempting to get the constant ringing out of my head. I'm looking to move, but am hoping to wait till June. I am currently inspired to move NOW!

BEEP! BEEP! BEEP! BEEP! BEEP! Goddess please give the strength to NOT rip the fire alarm speaker off the wall...

Video: Monsters in the Making

2011-02-05T14:37:00.001-05:00

Video: Monsters in the Making

Time to move...

2011-02-02T11:19:00.002-05:00

I've got that need to move itch... Though I don't have to move, I love my apartment, it is too expensive and too far from downtown. So... it's time to start looking for a new lair for this girl.

Here is what I'm looking for.

1 or 2 bedroom
dog friendly, 2 quiet shih tzu's.
artist friendly - would like to find an apartment in a house that has other artist's/writers/musicians
in a house, possibly with a back yard or deck
laundry on site (though not a deal breaker)
location - between the annex to roncesvalles - along bloor line would be preferred.
close to subway or streetcar line

Time frame - after March. Though I would prefer to move in June, am willing to move if something awesome comes my way :)

It's time to live this life!

2011-02-02T11:12:00.000-05:00

December 21st was a turning point. Not only was it the Solstice, it was the day I made a few very large life changing decisions. All my life I've been a writer, I've done freelance writing part-time and full-time and a year and a half ago, while struggling financially I took a year long contract in a publishing house. Though I felt like I was giving in too easily, I'm glad I did, as I learned a lot about the industry, and that will benefit me as a writer. I will never live my life with regrets and it's never to late to change who you are or what you want out of life and on December 21st I finally and fully accepted this.

So what were these decisions... Oh... the suspense...

I'm sure you've already figured part of this out, one of the decisions is to return to writing full-time, both freelance and as a fiction writer. I know financially this is going to be a major struggle and time to time I will need to take part time gigs, such as bar-tending to help pay rent, but I will do what needs to be done to fulfill this crazy dream of mine. In the meantime, I'm applying for grants, looking for freelance work, tightening the belt and looking for a cheaper place to live. This is who I am and the path I've always meant to be on. I've worked in the corporate environment, working 60 hour weeks, owned a house, went on expensive vacations and was miserable the entire time. I felt like I was selling my soul in order to have a few hours a week to write. I promised I will never do that again.

What are the other things...

To submerse myself back into the indie world. Viki and I started a venture a few years ago, we took a hiatus to figure out how to make it the best it can be and decided to return to the world of Indie artists while we think this through. I have such a crazy love for independent artists and want the rest of the world to see the wonderful talent this city and country has to offer.

To push as hard as I can to be a published fiction author. I have short stories and articles published all over North America, but have yet to have a full novel published. I started a writing goal with another author and dear friend and in January I pumped out 12000 plus words, 9000 of that a novella. I'm finding this is giving me the discipline I need.

To live my life the way I used to. In my 20's I had this insane, chaotic life and I loved every minute of it. Ya there were times where I had no clue where rent or grocery money was coming from, slept on peoples couches, partied with musicians, actors and some absolutely outrageous people. But I loved every single moment of it. Then I hit my 30's and something changed, I decided to be responsible, lived with someone, bought a house, got into debt (which I am still struggling to pay off), and worked in an industry that sucked the life out of me. Now in my 40's it's time to go back to what made me happy. Live the life I should be living, with the people who are meant to be in it.

Yes... I will still panic about money.
Yes... I will still worry about if I'm good enough.
Yes... I will still struggle to be creative.
But...
I will be living this life, my life, with no regrets.

It's time to live this life!

2011-02-01T18:13:00.000-05:00

Swing over to torontostage.com to check out Carolina Smart's review of Eternal Hydra.

VOTE!

2011-01-17T10:08:00.003-05:00

Everyone should vote for Best New Zombie Tales 2. It's an amazing anthology released by Books of the Dead Press. It's an amazing way to show your support of a independent publish house and a great way to help out some fellow zombies!!! :)

Here is the link, you have to scroll down a bit to find it.

Vote here: ...http://www.critters.org.../predpoll/antho.shtml

To the theatre... to the theatre

2011-01-15T00:01:00.001-05:00

One of the many fun and amazing things I get to do as a writer, is review plays. I've been doing it for just over a year now and my specialty is indie. I was just going over the list of all the amazing plays I've seen and am always blown away by the breath of talent, stunning sets and that warm fuzzy feeling you have when you leave.

I post when I've reviewed a play, but thoughts I would share the ones I have done over the last 12 months. Enjoy!

Death of a Salesman
Featuring Loretta
New Electric Ballroom
Where's My Money
Almost Maine
The Dream
The Market
What the Butler Saw

JOHN SKIPP'S "ROSE": THE 3D ZOMBIE PUPPET MUSICAL!

2011-01-12T21:25:00.000-05:00

This is a brilliant project and everyone should donate so Rose can reach her goal. But mostly... because I need entertaining and it looks like a fun, wacky Zombie movie!

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A reminder of where I come from..

2010-12-28T21:42:00.001-05:00

On my bookshelf is a yellow, plastic envelope. The contents inside is a mix of childhood pictures, old family photos and documentation about the history of my family heritage. I keep promising the yellow envelope, that I will sort it, place the documentation in a proper binder and the photo's in a beautiful album! In 2011 I will. But... that is neither here nor there.

In the process of looking for a photo for facebook, I found a document my Uncle Andy started several years ago, The History Of the Smart Family. Each time I read it I'm in awe of the love and determination my Uncle put into the document, but it is only really a beginning. Our family history is insane, tumultuous and beautiful and each time I read it, I'm reminded of where I come from. Warriors, explorers, but the most important one, proud Scots. If there was a bloody battle, there was a Smart involved, most notably, being part of the outlawed Clan MacGregor. A bunch of bad ass, hard drinking, rowdy troublemakers in Kilts. That about sums up my family still. Maybe a little less Kilt wearing, but you get the picture.

The other thing that bites me in the arse each time, is the paragraph about our coat of arms/crest/family motto.

"The most ancient "Coat of Arms" granted to the Smart name known is, Silver on a chevron between three arrow heads with a gold five leafed clover. The crest is an eagle with a burdock in it's beak. The family motto, "Virtus Pre Nummis" which means... "Virtue before Money"'. Virtue before money... ain't that the truth!

I think it is finally time to stop putting the envelope back on the shelf.

Solstice

2010-12-23T11:57:00.000-05:00

{It's too bad Mel isn't in this picture, she was the photographer}

This is how Winter Solstice should be, about letting the light back in and a fresh start. Letting your fears, paranoia's, anger, and regrets burn away in the flames. This years Solstice was such an amazing night from beginning to end! There was fire and lots of it! The beer was constantly flowing. I was with people I care about and love and I met new friends. This is how we should start every new year!

How am I starting my new year? I am going to let go of my fears. I have a few things that I have always been afraid to do. It's time to get over those fears, nut up and do it! I'll let hundreds of spiders crawl all over me, but stand in front of a crowd of people and sing, I panic. I will stand on the roof of a 100 floor high building and look down, but to this day still can't stand on the glass floor of the CN tower. The list is way longer than this and I am challenging myself to get over each one.

And then along came December...

December is usually my least favourite months of the year, October my favourite. In the past, December is filled with frustration and the feeling that I am always pushing against the grain. When you don't celebrate the traditions of others, it ends up feeling like you are constantly teetering on the wobbling fence of awkward, wishing you could hide till December is over. Something about December this year changed. That solid wrapping of darkness fell away. A combination of the people now in my life, and my decision to do the one thing I love, no matter how crazy the struggle, gave me back a huge chunk of freedom. Like minded, loving and non-judgmental people will do that.

New year, new path, new hope :)

<3 <3 <3

Fire good! {Mandy if you are serious, lets do it}

The 2011 List!

2010-12-16T10:47:00.001-05:00

I’m actually getting this list done before Jan 1!!! This is a list of all the things I want to attempt before December 31st, 2011. Some are from my 2010 list, that list had 100 to dos and I finished 49 of them. They didn’t get completed.... shhhhh. So... instead of a list of 100 am keeping it a bit more realistic at 50!

1. Learn to Salsa ~ have already taken some lessons
2. Tim Burton Exhibit at Lightbox
3. Finish all 3 manuscripts
4. Get a book picked up for publication
5. Go to Scotland
6. Re-learn Swing Dancing
7. Take Burlesque lessons
8. Sing Karaoke ~ am terrified to sing in front of people
9. Since I’m going to brave Karaoke.... learn to play an instrument
10. Day trip to Stratford
11. Shakespeare in the park
12. Be in a Zombie Movie
13. See the Nutcracker
14. Road trip to Niagara Falls and all the haunted attractions
15. Ride in a Hearse ~ while still alive
16. Tour the Bruce Caves with my Dad
17. Go camping
18. Visit the Science Centre
19. Go to NYC for a weekend
20. Stay in a haunted Bed and Breakfast
21. Have a 1950’s style dinner party - everyone has to come dressed up 1950’s, menu and Martini’s
22. Re-read A Tree Grows in Brooklyn
23. Glow in the dark bowling
24. Do at least one thing I have never tried ~ skiing downhill, snowboarding, archery, stand on the glass floor of the CN tower.
25. Have a minimum of 3 articles published in major publications
26. Have a short story published in an anthology
27. Do a 30 day yoga challenge
28. Watch the sunrise, from a beach
29. Learn how to do a somersault.
30. Visit a province I’ve never been in
31. Go to a Carnival
32. Work at a haunt if even for one night, this halloween
33. Take her parents to the CN tower
34. Visit Casa Loma
35. See my cousin Lisa!
36. Fit back into my Skinny Jeans!
37. Carve my name in a tree
38. Spend and afternoon at Necropolis
39. Walk in the secret cemetery
40. Day on the island, including picnic and nude beach
41. Go to Trash Palace
42. Spend a week in Wiarton - this is tougher than it seems....
43. Have my tea leaves read
44. Ride the bike trails
45. Finish off my writing to do list
46. Write a poem and read it out loud in front of people
47. Hand-write one letter a month
48. Complete both the Script Frenzy in April and National Novel Writing Month in November
49. Spend Dec 25th having a second annual do nothing but watch Xmas themed horror movies day
50. Write this list for 2012 before Jan 1st

The Other White Meat

2010-11-30T11:53:00.003-05:00

I'm doing research for a book proposal and came across this blog. The link below is to 'The Other White Meat' and is part of a series of Weight Watchers recipe cards from the 1970's. I recommend that you look through the entire series. I was in tears. TEARS from just the commentary alone.

Enjoy!

http://www.candyboots.com/wwcards/caucasianshash.html

Nanowrimo

2010-11-12T14:13:00.004-05:00

So... I keep saying I'm going to participate in Nanowrimo and finally, I have run out of excuses. So here I am 12 days in and actually, just now starting to write my novel. I hymned and hawed and this morning said 'what the fuck, DO IT!' So here I am, doing it.

I did the math, in order to get to 50,000 words written by midnight on November 30th... I have to write 3000 words a day... by the end of today I will have my first 3000 words... 47,000 more to go... Can I make it? We will find out on November 30th. Either way, it's the motivation I need to get this story out of my head!

This Girl Friday!

2010-11-11T11:30:00.002-05:00

I've started a Girl Friday business. Business cards are being printed and flyers are being mailed out today. I've been thinking about doing this for a while and realized it was time!

If you know anyone looking for this type of service email me at carolina@carolinasmart.ca!

The Loss of a Great Man

2010-09-22T11:39:00.003-04:00

Mr. Rix had a reputation. Long before anyone ever stepped foot into one of his English classes, you knew all about it in very specific, very colourful detail. Once you entered his classroom, you waited, eager, on tenterhooks for the moment, but too nervous to ask when it might happen. Then somewhere around mid-term, there it was.

Gasps
Dramatic pauses
Chest clenching
Flailing arms
Screeching
And then one... final... spin!

CAESAR
Et tu, Brute! Then fall, Caesar.

With a dramatic fall to the linoleum, the infamous performance of the Julius Caesar death scene had been completed. To this day I am sadly disappointed with the stage version of that death scene. Bob can never be topped.

In high school, no one likes or wants to understand Shakespeare, we are content with Lord of the Flies, The Chrysalids and Animal Farm. Mr. Rix, through his dramatics and humour had the students of Wiarton District High School smitten with Sir William and his tales.

But somehow, it was more than that. He actually gave a damn about his students. Bob Rix loved being a teacher, he was passionate about the English language and made his students passionate as well. If it wasn’t for him our school wouldn’t have had a theatre program and I wouldn’t have had the experience of playing Abby Brewster.

Even after he retired he would stop his former students on the street to chat, genuinely wanting to know how they were, always ready to dole out advice. Bob taught hundreds of students, but always remembered everyone’s names and had very specific and special memories for every one of us.

Every graduation speech had a special thank you to him. Every student talked about him, even 20 years after graduation. I can guarantee that each one of those students can give you at least three funny stories and many reasons why they will miss him. My love of theatre and literature and my dream to become a writer are all thanks to Bob. He stuck in our minds and our hearts. He made a difference in every student who was lucky enough to know him and will be greatly missed.

A safe journey into the night my friend. There will never be another like you.

http://yourlifemoments.ca/sitepages/obituary.asp?oId=424588

Theatre Reviews

2010-09-04T10:38:00.001-04:00

I can't believe I haven't posted since the beginning of July. It's been a crazy busy summer!!!

I will start posting more soon, but in the meantime, here are my latest theatre reviews @ torontostage.com.

What the Butler Saw http://www.torontostage.com/reviews/whatTheButlerSaw.html

Doc http://www.torontostage.com/reviews/doc.html

Datesaster

2010-07-09T17:41:00.000-04:00

My latest article at www.single-woman.tv

http://single-woman.tv/2010/07/datesaster/

2010-06-21T19:13:00.002-04:00

Not only has Romy Shiller's book Who Knew? arrived, my review of 'You Never Know' is on the jacket. Love love!!!

Honesty and other stuff

2010-06-20T16:29:00.003-04:00

I had an insane week. A lot of stuff happened that made me realize how my world was evolving or rather not evolving. I'm stuck, in a holding pattern and unhappy due to it. The events of this week made me take a step back from myself and re-evaluate the way things are. Below is what happened this week, some observations about both silly things and my own existence.

~Was offered a job in Vancouver and turned it down for all the right reasons. It was a finance position, for a LOT of money and I would have been working with some I really truly like and respect, but... it was in a city I hate and I promised myself never to work in finance again. I hated myself when I did and had no life.

~This is going to be a crazy fun summer!

~I no longer want to be alone and have finally admitted to myself that I want someone special in my life. I do want to wake up on Sunday mornings and make waffles
and drink coffee with them on the balcony.

~Peonies last a really long time!!!

~My balcony is my oasis. I could spend all my time out there. It's peaceful and I need peace in my life right now.

~I can no longer have passive people in my life. I'm not sure why I started letting them in, but they need to go!!!

~If you can't spend time with me or talk to me during World Cup. Don't bother trying to do either once the World Cup is done. I go out of my way to spend time with others and many can't be bothered to reciprocate, so tough titties for you!

~I love that I am getting older, with it comes wisdom and the knowledge that I will never have work done to make myself look younger. I've earned my wrinkles and love them. On July 31st I turn 44 and I don't care who knows!!!

~My dogs are aging and I can't visualize them not being around. The way they greet me when I wake up or come in the door can never be replaced by a human.

~I have 11 weeks to decide what to do with my life. Right now I want to bolt. But running away isn't going to change the reasons I am unhappy.

~I am frustrated that I am not writing enough or making more of an effort. Someone who has been in the publishing industry for over 30 years read some of my stuff and told me I'm not full of shit and I need to put a fire under my ass.

~I didn't go to my high school re-union because of the way I was treated. High school was miserable for me. The only thing I regret is not seeing Mr. Rix. He was the only person who kept me from quitting.

~I miss thunderstorms

~I truly am thankful for the friends I currently have in my life. They are all creeptacular and ghoulish and get me.

~The people who live below me must be away, there was no BBQing this weekend....

~If I choose to stay in Toronto, I need to find and buy my dream home. It might be the stability I need in my life.

~I have been bolting awake every morning at 5 am on the dot... and I don't know why...

~I will no longer be invisible. Lina has returned and those who know me well know EXACTLY what that means!

Lipstik Indie

2010-06-08T22:42:00.001-04:00

The new issue is ALIVE! www.lipstikindie.com.

If you want to be reviewed message me.

Carolina

My girls

2010-05-19T20:54:00.004-04:00

In about a month one of my dearest friends will be back in Toronto and all my girls will be back together. I know I did a list of 100 things I wanted to do in 2010, but I think doing a list of all the things I want to do with my girls is more important.

These aren't in any specific order. I just want to do them before the end of the year with them and all my other girls.

Spend a day on Centre Island - DONE
Ride the Ferris Wheel with Anna - DONE
Road trip to Salem
Go on a picnic in High Park (Cindy has a basket)
Hit as many haunts as we can in the month of October.
Eat in a Moroccan restaurant, complete with Belly Dancers.
Go Salsa dancing
Spend a spa day together
Cemetery Crawl
Go to a Baseball game and drink warm beer
Dress to the Nines for no reason at all and go to a Martini Bar - DONE but doesn't mean we won't do it again

I think this list... might be growing!

Latest Theatre Review - Where's My Money?

2010-05-19T07:57:00.001-04:00

Check out the 'Emotionally Powerful and Beautifully Creepy' Where's My Money?

http://www.torontostage.com/reviews/wheresMyMoney.html

New reviews!

2010-05-11T19:27:00.003-04:00

Hey All,

Swing over to Torontostage.com to check out my lastest reviews. The Market and Featuring Loretta. Both must sees!!!