Kitchen Adventures: Cake Pops

I wanted to make something different for my niece and had saw cake pops online and had sampled some a few months ago, and I thought what cuter dessert for a little girl than cake on a stick!
Although I enjoy baking cakes from scratch and making my own icing I decided for my first time out to just used a boxed cake mix and icing to make the  process a little simpler, plus I had read and heard all the disaster stories associated with these mini desserts and I didn’t want to invest a lot in high end ingredients if there was a chance it was going to end up in the mis-adventure pile.  So although Bakerella’s recipe is fantastic – for this trip to the kitchen I went with an adaptation of this Duncan Hines recipe.
Researching on Google gave me the tips that when I crumbled the cooked cake that the crumb should be even.  That less is more when it comes to icing, and that freezing is not the best way. 
I made the cake per the box directions.  Once completely cooked I put it through the food processor to produce an even crumb.

Cake after being put through the food processor

I added about 1/4 to 1/2 cup of vanilla icing and mixed it in the mixer until it was incorporated through the crumb.  I popped it in the fridge then for about 20 minutes so that I wouldn’t warm the dough up as much with my hands.
I rolled up about a dozen 1” balls and put them onto a parchment lined cookie sheet, covered them with saran wrap and popped them into the fridge.  I then used 1/2 the remaining cake/icing mixture to place a well drained maraschino cherry in the centre of the ball.  The last portion of cake/icing mixture I added some fresh orange zest and 1 drops of orange oil flavouring.  I left them all in the fridge covered over night.

Rolled and Chilled

I melted my white chocolate candy wafers over a double boiler set to low heat to avoid over heating the melts.  Taking the balls out in advance is important to give them a bit of time to warm and expand a bit and not crack your chocolate after the fact.

dip the lolly pop sticks in chocolate first
to glue the stick into the cake ball

I dipped the sticks in the white chocolate before pushing them about half way into the cake balls.  When dipping them once in – once out.  Let them drip without tapping them.   If you try and swirl them or move them in the chocolate the stick just comes loose and then you’ve just got balls in chocolate – which aren’t bad either, but that is another post!

Orange - Cashew Cake Pops and Cherry Snowball
Cake Pops

I rolled the freshly dipped orange cake balls in crushed cashews, and the cherry vanilla balls in sweetened coconut.


These ones need a bit longer to warm up because of the cherry and need to be dipped very quickly to avoid cracking.  Having your cherries well drained helps minimize the amount of moisture in the ball which can cause cracking or seeping through your chocolate shell.

I added some delphinium blue gel food colouring and
some raw sugar for a wintery feel

Drizzled with white chocolate and dusted with Wilton's Silver dust

On the other vanilla/vanilla combination balls I dipped them in the winter blue icing and then drizzled them with white chocolate.  After giving them a few minutes to harden I gave them a light dusting with Wilton’s silver icing dust to give the white chocolate a pearl hue.
Overall a success!  I’m looking forward to making some more Christmassy themed ones for dinner at my parents.  I know my niece will love them and I have a feeling everyone else will as well!
J.

Something Different You Say . . . .

It may not be an ocean view, but I think it's a lot better!

"I just want something different" he said.  I slowly raised my eyes from my computer to take a look at the client sitting across from me who so far had been talking about his winters vacation plans and how the beach in Puerto Plata was such a disappointment to him after he had been in Punta Cana the year before, and did I know that they only had 3 imported whiskeys, what did they think he was a cave man?  "How different?" I asked interrupting  him, waiting for his response before I gauged what kind of different he was actually looking for and chose my words carefully as to not cause him to bolt from my desk to the door because how could someone consider what I was describing a vacation and why would I be suggesting it to him. Different has a lot of meanings.

My suggestion of renting an illegal casa particular in rural Cuba for two weeks and fend for yourself probably wouldn't have gone over well.  He might have done just that run off to book on the internet because that crazy travel agent was talking insanity about fending for yourself, tractors, and slaughtering pigs in your neighbors yard, sugar cane fields, old Russian buses, and did I mention tractors???? I however faced the challenge this past summer head on and had an amazing experience that no resort/beach/tourist trap town could replicate.

View from my casa in Artemisa

Artemisa, Cuba.  That is where I chose to call home for two weeks this past summer.  If you are looking at a map of Cuba.  Find Havana, then look a little to the left, slowly . . . slowly . . . if you see Pinar del Rio you've gone too far.  That's it back away from the ocean . . . yep see it there? Tiny little place.  How did I find it? I had the fortune to visit for 2 days this past March and just knew it was the perfect place to spend some time off the grid. I wasn't completely on my own, I had a few friends in town.  A security guard I knew from previous trips to Havana, a very charming Professor and his wife, a musician and - no I am not describing the cast from Gilligan's Island - and my friend Yenier and his sisters. 

(above)
Playing dominoes with new friends.
(below)
This Lizard  loved to use my
clean floor as his bathroom -

 I rented a casa particular in Artemisa, it was lacking the little green and white sticker that made it a residence rental approved by the government of Cuba.  I wasn't overly concerned.  It was $25/night and had 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, a pool, living room, kitchen . . . all the standard stuff.  I had a market within walking distance and a few paladars (private restaurants) to choose from.  I was on vacation after all.  I had stayed in this same casa this past March but what I hadn't factored on was March is essentially winter there as well, so everything including a lot of the animals and such were not as active, the weather was fairly cool and calm.  When I arrived in July I had lizards, tropical storms and flooding.   I didn't mind the lizards in the beginning.  Until I swept up one morning and when I turned around I saw a little something on the floor.  Lizard poo. Yes they shit the floor.  You aren't allowed to kill them - at one point I had a cat run in though through the grating and chase one.  I was rooting for the cat as they went out the back door.  Also when these torrential rain storms would happen the water would start coming in through all the open areas, a mop would have been handy, but as it was there were a shortage of mops and they were selling them for 3 times the price illegally in the street and my friends would not support highway mop robbery so we had a squeegee and a towel that had more holes than a Cuban highway and a stick.  I was lucky every time it stormed I had friends with me because it made the clean up quite simple.  I even managed to video it one day, or I should say I managed to be videoed squeegeeing water across the floor yelling "she shoots she scores". 

Fresh pineapple bought from the back of a tractor

Shortages are normal in Cuba, which I experienced quite regularly because whatever I seemed to want any particular day was the specific item the market was sold out of.  Not produce there was an over abundance of veggies and fruit, but what would be short would be the seasonings, the soda, the things we take for granted here.  One day a wall of soda - next day - no soda.  I learned quickly to buy in bulk when I found certain things so that I would have an excess.  Of course this drew stares from Cubans when I bought 15lbs of coffee and 12 2 litre bottles of Tu Kola (the equivalent of Coca Cola) in one stop. Okay, Okay the coffee was for my parents but I still got stares and comments whispered behind me in Spanish that I was rolling deep. It didn't matter I was making sure I wasn't going to run out of anything.  The food in this area is really good.  It is the farm land so everything is fresh and all you need to do if you want something is wait to hear the call of the local vendors wandering the streets yelling "AJO, AGUACATE, CEBOLLAAAAAAAA" or you can buy fresh pineapple off the back of a tractor pulling out of the field it had just finished harvesting.  Mangos as big as your head and guava on every corner.  There was no shortage of fresh food.

Spaghetti with Station Salad

I didn't really cook a lot though, and the local paladars took care of my minimal food requirements.  I should warn you though -When dining in rural Cuba please keep the following in mind when ordering salad as the descriptions do differ a bit from North America:

Ensalada Estacion (Station Salad) = Sliced Cucumbers on a plate

Ensalada Mixta (Mixed Salad) = Sliced Cucumber accompanied by Diced Avocado

Ensalada Chef (Chef's Salad)= Sliced Cucumber, Diced Avocado, and canned green beans

dinner with friends at the local paladar

I shouldn't complain.  They were tasty, and the veggies were fresh.  I was just not expecting something quite that basic.  The paladars are priced quite well, with a Pollo Campasino which consisted of 1/2 a fried chicken, rice and peas and a salad selling for 2.50CUC and if you felt like splurging Surf & Turf (pork not beef) sold for 4.95CUC.  I took guests with me for dinner each night.  It was a good experience for them because even at those prices Cuban people don't eat out too often, and it gave me company while I dined.

Las Terrazas

I did a bit of wandering outside of the town itself.  A trip to Las Terrazas was a chance to explore the beautiful park, and the Guajiro Natural Polo Montañez's museum.  Las Terrazas is a national park, and has zip lining, small boats to rent and water sports in the lake.  I personally didn't take part in any of the water sports as I suspect alligators may live in that lake, although the Cubans assured me they didn't and I do love a little adventure I prefer adventure with all my appendages.

Riding in a '59 Chevy with 6 other locals

I also made a short trip into Havana (via local transportation - coche particular) this entailed going into downtown Artemisa at 7am and waiting with all the workers to get into a local car (picture 50's chevy's etc.).  You don't get a car to yourself you pile into a car with a bunch of strangers and off you go.  Of course I was a bit of a spectacle being as white as a polar bear and riding with Cubans, but I loved it.  There as a boy in the car with me on his way to Havana for surgery.  He watched me with what I could tell were tired eyes.  I gave his mom a couple of the candies I had in my purse for when he felt better.  I think he was surprised when the polar bear started speaking in Spanish to him and I learned he had a breathing condition that was supposed to be corrected with today's surgery.  I hope he is feeling better now.

I did enjoy just wandering around Artemisa though.  One day I heard the neighbour slaughtering a pig, yes the photo is said pig in my freezer. You can pretty much just walk up and talk to who ever you want to, they were nice people and I was happy to volunteer the freezer. I visited with Alex Cuba's parents.  Alex is a Cuban musician who is currently living here in Canada.  One of my companions bought a purple flower basket from Alex's mom as a gift for me (See the photo below).  I did get a few odd stares from time to time.  Tourists aren't the norm in Artemisa, so I found people were generally very curious about me and why I was there.  They also liked to watch me film the tropical storms and I did hear there were comments of "Why is she standing out in the rain, don't they have storms in Canada?"

 
 I did have the car I was in searched by the police one morning.  Where they searching for hidden Cubans? No.  Drugs? No.  They were searching for beef.  In Cuba the bearded bastard (aka Castro) controls the slaughter of the cattle.  So, if you are farmer Juan, and you raise the cow, nurse it through sickness, raise it, you can't ever slaughter it.  The government decides when it will be killed. If you kill it, 12 years in jail.  If you are caught transporting it, 8 years in jail and if you are caught eating it 1 year in jail.  Of course in the trunk of my car all they found was my suitcase.   Lucky for me they didn't see me a few days' before while I was eating illegal beef in a paladar. 

Overall the trip was a great one.  I met some very interesting characters and found myself in some unusal situations, but if I hadn't then the trip wouldn't have been a success to me.   Of course I will share these stories in time but I think some of the Characters I met on my travels need
their own platform, their own story, lumping them all in here would be a disservice to them.  They need to stand on the stage alone and have their stories told.

So different you say . . . the fellow booked Jamaica.  Could he find adventure there?  Sure.  Will he . .. unless he gets lost and finds himself out of that highly sanitized tourist area probably not.

Always take the road less traveled.  I promise when the journey is over you'll be satisfied.

J.

a local hand craft by Mrs. Cuba (Alex Cuba's Mom)

Goats tied in your yard, normal sight/occurence.

Mango and Guavas

a view from Las Terrazas

All Kinds of Crafty

I posted a link in the Facebook yesterday so anyone who was interested could stop by for a visit on my now resuscitated blog and my cousin in law shared a link to her blog.  She is all kinds of crafty, so if you are interested Robins Remarkables is a fun place to visit as well.

Dominoes in Cuba

It did get me thinking about my latest craft project, which was a domino table.  Why would someone need a special table to throw bones you ask?  A lo Cubano.  (Translation: It's a Cuban thing)  After all the trips I have made, and the numerous games of dominoes I have played I noticed that every house has a domino table.   I've spent many hours around them, sipping rum, enjoying tobacco and throwing bones.  Of course in Cuba most are fairly simple and plain, but I have saw a few ornate ones.    I did a bit of googling when I returned home and decided on a design and put it into action!

Finishd table top

It essentially is a removable top that can be set down over any card or accent table.  I have decorated it with 28 vintage Cuban postcards that I printed off on a high quality paper stock.  The cards are protected with a sheet of plexiglass which also makes for a very smooth surface for playing.  For domino holders I sanded down four pieces of dowel, stained them dark brown and adhered 4 Guantanamera cigar bands - yes from real cigars! Currently there are 4 un banded Cuban cigars in my home . . .  I might give them to Americans since they are now essentially unmarked contraband.

 
After sanding and staining the finished piece is something I am proud of and it looks beautiful in the rec room!

My Domino Table 

Who wants to play dominoes?

J.

Kitchen Adventures: Blackened Basa Tacos with Pineapple Mango Salsa

I ventured down to Vaughan a couple of weeks ago to have a meal with a new friend.  Of course neither of us knew exactly where we were going, or where the better restaurants were, so we ended up at a roadhouse style chain named Turtle Jacks.

I decided on their blackened basa tacos with mango pineapple salsa.  They came served with fries (not overly Mexican).  I am very picky when it comes to Mexican food but I have to say I was happy with my choice.  It had good flavor and I really liked how the mango and pineapple played with the fish.    Of course mango pineapple salsa isn't a new idea, but it is a new to me idea because previously I resisted the idea of mixing savory with the sweet of fruit.

Upon my return home I decided to try and replicate what I had that night, except for the fries. I headed to the internet to research different salsa recipes, and blackening spices.  I made a few changes to the recipes, and headed to the kitchen.

The End Result: Blackened Basa Tacos with Pineapple Mango Salsa

N.B.  I apologize for the poor quality of the photograph, but it was on the Blackberry, and I was hungry.

Blackening Rub:

2 tsp ground paprika
4 tsp ground thyme
2 tsp onion powder
2 tsp garlic powder
1 tbsp sugar
2 tsp salt
2 tsp black pepper
1 tsp cayenne pepper
1 tsp Mexican oregano
1 tsp ground cumin

We rubbed the basa fillets with the blackening seasoning and pan fried them off (rather than grilling it was cold out) in a skillet with a bit of butter in it.

Mango Pineapple Salsa:

1 cup diced pineapple
3/4 cup diced mango
1/2 cup diced tomato (seeded)
1/3 cup diced cucumber
1/3 cup diced red onion
1 -2 jalapeno peppers seeded and diced
2 tbsp fresh lime juice
lime zest
Chopped Cilantro - I never measure cilantro - but if I was guessing 1 - 1 1/2 tbsp of it
1 tsp olive oil (optional)

Mix all ingredients together and adjust taste to personal preferences.  After mixing put in the fridge 1-2 hours before serving so the flavors start to blend.


I served the fish and salsa on flour tortillas I had warmed up with a side of cilantro rice.

I think it would be better in the summer with grilled fish rather than fried, but overall it was a good kitchen adventure! - unlike my Blueberry crisp I tried to make last night . . .  but that's another story.

J.

Making Time for things that are important

Making time for things that are important.  Easy to type, did it in less than 10 seconds.  Easy to implement? Not so much.   I keep a daytimer, and I have an agenda in my Blackberry.  I have my days well organized and planned.  What is missing is the little things.  The important things.

I felt a little ashamed when I logged into my little blog.  The last post was last year.  I was getting ready to submit a story to Leap Local.  I came runner up in that contest.  Yeah for me!  Here though, my little writing spot has sat empty and untouched.   (You can read my award winning story Captive in Cuba here)

Which brings me back to my topic.  Making time for things that are important.  Family, friends, and my passions; Travel, Reading/Writing and Cooking.    I must learn to make time for them.  They are what is important, not a ticketing deadline for Hong Kong or clearing last months receivables.  Although those things are important they are not what makes me happy.

How do you change the pattern though?  Find all the lost and wasted time.   I'm not sure.  I am going to consciously try and break my habits though.  Set the time when I am to be undisturbed because I am exploring my passions.  I may have to turn off my cell phone and disconnect my laptop from the internet but I am going to do it.

Starting . . . when?  Now seems like a good a time as any!

J.

Back to Havana . . .

I am getting ready to head back to Havana!  It will be a birthday celebration for me while I am visiting and hopefully I will get some time to spend in La Lisa as well as visit Artemisa and see what that area of Cuba has to offer.

L-R:  Michel Castillo Marin and Jorge Luis Espinosa

I am travelling with my friend Wayne and we love to wander around Cuba.  We will be meeting up with some new friends, as well as visiting some old ones.  I know Michel who is a very special friend of mine has a few plans for the day, but they will have to remain a surprise for me until I get there!

Normally I stay in casa's while I am in Cuba but at Michel's urging we are staying at Hotel Acuario, which I have stayed at before and love the staff.
I have to admit though that I am far more excited about seeing Michel's family this time.  We have become exceptionally close over the last 2 years and I hate being away from them.

Either way it should be a great trip.  Nino (Jorge) is in Italy now so the druken brawls should be kept to a minimum LOL! and hopefully the time for writing is plentiful!

Happy birthday to me and Happy travels!

Slowing Down to Enjoy the Summer

The weekend passed quickly as they always seem to do.  The temperatures have been up, and summer seems to be in full swing with a onslaught of tourists pouring into my area every weekend making use of the beaches, the lake and the roads.  Yesterday I was enjoying a relaxing day at home when we received a call that some good friends of ours would be passing through the area on their way home from Muskoka.

We were not prepared for company and had already started smoking a rack of ribs, but as always, the door is always open and the light always on.  I had wanted to get a bit of writing done, and possibly work on a painting I had been blocking out, but to turn down friends on the road is bad form.  I'm glad I didn't listen to my inner organizer screaming about my uncompleted task list.  I love seeing Julie & Aaron.  Although our lives have been running on opposite roads as of late, there is something to be said for someone who can walk back in and literally it feels as if no time has passed.  This describes how I feel when I am spending time with Julie.  Within 5 minutes of their arrival laughter was the music in the air and it carried on until fairly late in the evening.  No we were not prepared to put on a meal like I normally like to do for company, but we all made due with what we had and a great meal was shared and even Aaron who has a strong dislike for pork tried Jason's smoky ribs. Which all of us decided were the best ribs in Simcoe County and he could have easily won the RibFest taking place in Barrie  at the same time.  Of course my list sat undone, and I'm okay with that, it can wait for awhile.  The time with good  friends, sharing a delicious meal, laughing so hard that my sides hurt.  That is what summer is about.  The rest can wait.

Slow down, enjoy a laugh, enjoy some good food.  Some of the keys for a good life I believe.

J.

An Adventure Is What I Need!

After spending a delightful week in Havana I have come to the realization that I can no longer visit all the people I need to while I am there in a one week time span.  Each trip I stretch myself a bit further, make new friends.  Each trip is better than the last.  The Cubans that I have become close with have dubbed me as Cubana and I fit in.  As the hour of my departure came, I almost did not board the plane.  I was on the phone outside the airport discussing the option of changing my flight with my APS (BFF in Spanish).  In the end we decided I should get on the plane, we had already said goodbye, and delaying departure for 3 days, to endure the same upset again hardly seemed worth it.  It planted a seed in my mind though.


As a Canadian I can stay in Cuba on a tourist visa for a maximum of 90 Days.  What if I didn't come home after my normal 7-10 day stay?  What if I stayed for 2, or 3 or even . . . 4 weeks? 

When I was a teenager and deciding to have a career in Tourism my dream/plan was to work for the wholesalers as a destination rep.  I wanted to live abroad.  I studied my Spanish, I did my Geography.  I got my diploma from Humber in Travel & Tourism and then the industry changed.  Destination reps became locals, they were no longer having Canadians in destination to assist the passengers.  I resigned myself it wasn't happening and I took a job at a Travel Agency. 15 Years has passed.

Why couldn't I stay for 30 days in Havana?  I have a support network there in case "things go horribly wrong", I speak the language, I understand and have become quite accustomed to shortages, and making due with rice when you really had your heart set on Chicken . . .  Could I do it?  Quite possibly. 

I have started planning my 30 day adventure.  I am in the beginning of searching for accommodation.  I plan on taking an apartment (not a villa like March), I will need a full kitchen.  AC is not necessary, but appreciated.   I want to be outside of Habana Vieja/Vedado and maybe in Santa Fe.  I will have to be able to walk or take buses to the grocery store.  I will live like a Cuban (but with Refrescos) for 30 days.  I am not set on a date yet, I have to arrange a 30 Day Leave of Absence from the office, and plan this and earn the money to do it.  It's a plan though.  It may be 15 years later, and may only be for 30 days . . . but I'm doing it.  My Mother has confirmed she thinks it's a bad idea . . . which lets me know it's BRILLIANT!




My "APS" only had one concern "What will you do?"  ha ha ha when have I ever had a problem passing time, between my writing, my "doodling" and day dreaming . . . I'm sure 30 days will go quickly and I could always busk I guess LOL or do caricatures in the streets . . . normal Cuban activities.  Kidding Kidding.

Time to leave Oro Station behind for a few weeks and see what finds me.

Here's to 30 days off the grid!

Really? I Am a National Security Threat?

I generally don't buy into conspiracy theories.  I think thoughts like "the USA blew up the trade centre themselves" are absurd, and  Bin Laden is dead, he's not hanging around with Elvis, TuPac or Biggie Smalls.
This week, my resolve was tested. I may be being watched by . . . the commies. (insert hysterical laughter here please)

I communicate with approximately 5 families in Cuba.  We communicate daily, by a variety of methods.  I never give much thought to what I'm saying to them, because I always kept one thing in mind.  Don't say anything bad about Cuba. It's not my country, it's not my business.  I know the history I know people are arrested and worse for speaking against the Cuban Government/Policies.  Plus, to be honest, in a small way I respect their attempt at a system they thought would be better.  I digress, I keep it clean. 

As of last Thursday (May 5), not one of my text messages was received in Cuba.  I had been texting diligently about the things my friends enjoy to hear about.  They aren't national security or even political comments, unless, "had pizza for dinner - wish I was eating it in Havana" or "Going to the drive in - wish you were here" is considered a national security threat.  After it was brought to my attention that nothing was being received by any of the families I communicate with I did what every normal person would do I blamed Rogers Communications.  I called them, we started testing the line, and the network.  I tested my network of international contacts, everything got through except for Cuba.  Then I began to worry a bit.   Rogers could not resolve it, so after 3 days of no head way I just decided to change my number.  Low and behold my texts are now being received in Cuba again.

I reviewed my text logs, and the only thing in months I ever said, that could be construed as political is "Osama Bin Laden was killed by the American military last night, he was an asshole, I'm glad he's shark food" was really that disturbing to the Castro's?  Then I read this and this So, that was it! I spoke about Bin Laden, shared the news with my friends, and suddenly my cell phone doesn't work to Cuba?  Coincidence . . . or Conspiracy?

Michel is a little nervous is a little nervous, When we had a call drop the other night he told me "they might be listening"  REALLY Do you have nothing better to do with your time than to listen to me talk about my dogs and what I'm cooking for dinner?  Or listen to a Cuban tell me about how hot it is at his place of employment and that he wished he had air conditioning?  I have one thing to say to our eavesdropper - enjoy yourself.  I will not speak against Cuba, maybe their politics cause me a headache but it's not my country so therefore not my problem.  The only problem I have is you chose to censor me, and with that I have a huge problem.

I also read while doing my research that President Castro LOVES the internet and enjoys spending his leisure time surfing (although his people are not permitted such luxuries).  So, by chance he googles himself,  which he probably does since I personally think he is a self absorbed old fool with a inflated value of self worth, whose actual political significance expired about 40 years ago, and  by chance stumbles across my little Canadian blog hosted out here in the "free" world.  Enjoy your internet connection President Castro.    Oh and since time is not on your side . . . when the natural time comes . . . say hi to Elvis for me - asshole.


Hugs & Kisses
Ms. Castillo

A Day of Change

I awoke to the news as most did that Osama Bin Laden had been killed.  I doubt that I need to give any run down of his horrible crimes, or any other information other than people seem glad that he is dead.  I cannot seem to even muster a bit of pity for the man.  I do however fear for the future.  As with all villains, there is always someone waiting in the wings, much worse, and much more evil to take the the villains place. 

I also received an article that I had been reading about last week about proposed changes in Cuba.  Talk of the end of the ration card system, the sale of cars and property.  Of course, this is just talk.  Raul is slowly taking a more public stance now that his brother has officially stepped back.  Raul brought the Cubans, cell phones and DVD players previously.  From experience I know though that the cell system is expensive, and not everyone has a cell phone.  To give a freedom that is unobtainable by most?  Is it really still freedom?  I suspect the sale of houses and cars will bring more freedom to my favorite little island.  Raul's plan though, does not address how someone who makes the equivalent to $25 per month can afford any of these new freedoms or even dream to afford them when everything else is including food is an unreachable goal.  The elimination of the ration card system should bring more food to the table, more than the existing monthly allowance of 7 eggs, 1 loaf of bread, 1 lb of chicken and a bar of soap, but with more and more Cubans out of work, excessive lay offs happening in all industries in Cuba, what shall they use to buy these soon to be uncontrolled items?  I hope it flows evenly to them, but I somehow suspect that for the Cubans, the hunger, and the days of condom pizzas are far from over.

I should not be so cynical.  Of course the beginning of every journey starts with a single step.

When you Just Have Nothing to Say

I had almost forgotten about this, not because I don't think it is of value, but because I really haven't had anything to say.  Of course, you can usually find me madly scribbling in my moleskine but that really is a different type of journaling, an inner view.  I have it down pat.  This outer view is what I struggle with, what to write and put out there.

I am happy to say that the "busy" season is over for another year at the desk I occupy during the day.  Which has had me just itching to do something creative.  I have been writing, here and there but with no real direction.  I have a canvas half painted in my closet, that I have wanted to get back to, I also have at least 30 trips to scrap book.  Oh yes, I had a "brilliant" (yes that is sarcasm ) idea to create a scrap book of every trip I have ever taken.  This after being in the travel industry for 15 years, AND starting to travel when I was very young.  It sounded brilliant at the time, now as I am working on ONLY the 3rd trip to Cuba (decided to work backwards) I am feeling I might be doing this until I am dead and only then if I cease and desist all travel right now. I kid, I kid. hahaha.  Needless to say I can feel the creative urge starting to pull on me . ..  now which project to tackle first. 

Here's to spring and summer!  Let's hope they bring lots of inspiration and lots of time to explore that creative part of me that I so often ignore.

I really haven't forgotten I have a blog . ..

I did however have a band of travelers show up at my desk and have occupied almost every moment of time since the middle of December . .  don't worry it's not dead . . . it's just on vacation ;-)

I forgot as a travel agent - in the winter I don't have free time! LOL

Interesting stuff coming soon.

Alarms - A wet foot - and a wake up call

I generally wake up at 6:00am.  I then check my e-mail, have a cup of whatever, and get ready for work.   This week because I am riding with Jason into the office I have had to get up a little earlier to have my shower and bags ready for when he leaves.

This morning however, for whatever reason my alarm did not go off.  I got up and did not have time for a shower so I cleaned up got dressed, and went downstairs.  On my way downstairs I guess Noah had a "verp" and there was a piece of wet dog food an slobber which I stepped in - so now I am tired, feeling nasty and have one wet dog food foot.  From there I picked up my cell phone and noticed I two messages from my credit card company saying 2 more charges had gone through.  (I had canceled the card on Saturday because it was compromised)  As I stood there without shower, with one foot with dog puke on it, I decided I had enough.  I picked up the phone, dialed the fraudsters cell number (that's what happens when you top up your phone with a stolen credit card) and I let loose, I didn't hang up like I normally do when he answered -  I yelled - I yelled for a good 5 minutes.  I had awoke him from a dead sleep he just kept saying "who is this?" my response "you know who it is - it's the person you stole from"  of course I always press *67, so he doesn't have my number.  Before I hung up on the jerk - I told him I wasn't done with him yet - then I sent one more anonymous text saying I hoped he enjoyed his wake up call - and that I would talk to him again soon.

I got to work and called the CC company - turns out the e-mails were delayed and there were no more charges on my account.  Oh well the jackass needed it.

Jack

Health, Reviews & Santa in Cuba

From my title above you can see that today's entry is as my description says - a collision of ideas.

I spent the better part of yesterday in my bed resting.  Tuesday evening I wasn't quite feeling myself, and turned in quite early, by Wednesday morning I knew something was amiss and I wouldn't be leaving the house.  Lucky for me the day of rest seems to be all I needed and although I am still not quite right - although it could be debated I am never "quite right", I do feel much better.

Gerry posted his thoughts about Finding Forever and I agree with him.  When I wrote it, it was to get the idea out of my head and what he essentially received was a first draft.  So his criticisms are all accurate and I very much agree.  Of course the fact he said that jounalistically it was well written makes me very very happy and of course lets me know I am on the right track.  I am also very thankful that he read and reviewed it.  I am hoping by the time winter has passed I have something that will blow Finding Forever out of the water as I explore my imagination more and also start beating up my characters more.

http://gerrycan.wordpress.com/

On another note, I have convinced Michel and Evelyn that they should both be writing letters to Santa Claus.  Considering their first "semi-traditional" Christmas was last year, I explained yesterday after I assured them I did not need a doctor and would be fine (uff you mention you are under the weather and Cuban's assume the doctor must be sent for - post haste), that when you are a child here you right a letter to Santa explaining whether you were naughty or nice and giving a short list of your Christmas Wishes, and that because they had missed that during earlier years, that this year they were to write them - send them to me via e-mail and I would make sure that they made it to the North Pole (I'll walk them over on my lunch - haha).  I also let them know as Santa's personal travel agent, although he would be exceptionally busy over the next few months, I knew for a fact that Santa & Mrs. Claus would be taking holidays in Cuba this year in March, and that he would stop by La Lisa then to visit them.  I don't think the delay on the visit will bother them - they are Cuban, and adults - they understand.  Although I don't think I could be separate from my family at Christmas time, I wish I could be there for Christmas to make it special for them.

Jack

Far away in the sunshine are my highest aspirations. I may not reach them, but I can look up and see their beauty, believe in them, and try to follow where they lead. ~Louisa May Alcott

With baited breath I wait . . .

Well - not really, but in a small way I am very anxious.

This past summer I had the distinct (and I do not use that word lightly) pleasure of meeting author Gerry Burnie.  Gerry arrived at my office looking for travel advice and although I value all of my clients, when I met Gerry I heard an audible click.  It has been a pleasure helping him, and although it was not necessary, he offered to review one of my short stories.  Of course this sent me into a bit of a tizzy, this man has written and has published BOOKS! and he wants to read something I wrote.   It took me awhile to work up the nerve, but last week I gave him a copy of a first draft of a short story I had wrote called Finding Forever.  It was a romantic piece that I wrote this past fall.  Today Gerry stopped by the office on other business and we discussed Finding Forever.

It needs work, but his feedback was so positively laced it wasn't nearly as scary as I expected.  I need to work on a few things like formatting and character motivation and beef up my emotion, but it wasn't a train wreck!
Gerry is doing me a huge favor by reviewing it on his site later this week.  I am a little nervous again, but I'm sure it will be fine - plus I am writing under my "nom de plume" so it's all good.

If you haven't checked out my links to the blogs I read on the right of this page - you should.   Gerry's website is http://www.gerryburniebooks.com/ and his blog is listed there as well.

I have read Gerry's novel Journey to Big Sky -  when Gerry starts telling a story you can't help but get swept up into the wave and you don't want to get back off until he has finished sharing the tale with you.   If you are looking for something to read with a great story Journey to Big Sky is recommended by me!

Although I should be working on my newest writing project tonight - my day at the office today has been long and busy - I think I may just scrapbook and relax.

Jack

Corruption, Politics, and History - Create Great Brain Fodder No?

When you think of Cuba, what do you think about?  Beaches?  Rum? Or do you think of the history that has taken place on that island in the last 50 years?   I am in love with the island and all of it's positives and even some of it's negatives, so much so I have been to the island 6 times in the last year.  This of course has raised a lot of questions for me, some of which I could find answers to in Havana and others I have had to search for once I am home because  out of a still existent  fear, or out of pain, some Cubans just won't speak about the answers I seek.

Questions and what if's are what drives a story.  I have found my self querying pre-revolutionary Cuba a lot.   I am fortunate that I have an acquaintance who is American, but who was born and raised to the age of 15 in Havana before his family had to/chose to leave after Castro took power in 1959.  He has been generous enough to share some of his stories with me, and some other interesting information, including why in general the middle class of Cuba in the 1950's supported Castro, and the ultimate betrayal they felt when what they were promised was forgotten so quickly after their goal was achieved.  The story I am working on isn't necessarily about the political situation, but it gives me the back story and the mood of the people during the time I am writing about.  His story has raised more questions again for me, but luckily I have him to query further, and of course on the other side of the coin, I have a very close family in Havana who the matriarch is a faithful Castro supporter and has the opposite views of my friend.  Both stories share similar memories but the feelings associated with those memories are direct polar opposites.  Needless to say - I am inspired more than I have ever been to dig deeper, to find all I can to help tell the story of the character in my mind.

Over all yesterday was a day of discovery for me, and although some of the things I read bothered me to my core, it hasn't affected my love of the island, actually if it is possible I love it more.  Although my return to "my home" (as my Cuban family refer to it) is still long off, I am going to spend the time between now and March learning all I can - and telling the story of a young woman who loses everything she knows, and must fight in her own personal revolution  in Havana as Castro's revolution was taking place right outside her door.

As an old friend used to say to me, colour me inspired.

Jack

If a writer knows enough about what he is writing about, he may omit things that he knows. The dignity of movement of an iceberg is due to only one ninth of it being above water.
-Ernest Hemingway

Finding Enough Time for Everything

I know my life isn't unique in my time being in demand most of the time.  Over the last few years my responsibility at the office has increased, my responsibilities in the house are still there, plus other tasks I have taken on voluntarily to be involved in.  I need more time.  With that as it is, I often find my time for brainstorming story ideas to be relegated to the time right before I fall asleep, or in the shower, or while I am driving. None of the locations lending themselves particularly well to recording an idea without issue.  Have you ever tried to record a new plot idea while driving through a snow storm?  It would be so much easier if the ideas came to me while I was sitting at my desk, Word document open with my fingers poised on the keyboard.  - Nothing ever happens that easily!

Two nights ago I was laying in bed and I had a moment.  A character popped into my head and started to tell me she had a story to tell.  As the pieces came together I turned on the light, put my glasses back on, and started to write.  It's one of the better story ideas I have had.  Historical, romantic subplot, and a story that I cannot wait to see how it unfolds.  Where do I find the time to give it the justice it requires? 

Of course if I had an upcoming week in Havana I would just bide my time until I arrived and use my "Michel free" time to bang out my beginning, unfortunately for me, March - my next planned trip to Havana is a long way off.  This won't wait though, this character in my mind needs to get out and onto the page.  I've started my research, the characters are ready to go to paper, now to make the time.  If I could just have 26 hours in a day it would be so much easier.

Jack

People seek within a short span of life to satisfy a thousand desires, each of which is insatiable.
- Oliver Goldsmith

3D Advertisments - What next?

Last night as I settled into an episode of Celebrity Ghost Stories on Bio (yes I do enjoy a good ghost story), I noticed an advertisement for an online gambling site.  My first thought was, wow - they really shot this in low resolution because it looks blurry on the big screen.  Then I noticed the tint and realized this ad is in 3D!

Was the program I was watching in 3D? No.  Where the other advertisements in 3D? No.  Did 3D techonology somehow tie into their product No.  THEN WHY USE 3D?

I know it is "the way of the future" or so I have been told.  But do I really need to see an online gambling ad in three dimension?  They didn't even have a warning to don a pair of ugly glasses to take in their message.

They showed this ad at every break, by the end of the program all I knew was it bothered my eyes. 

If 3D ad's during 2D shows are the way things are going I better find my red and blue flash filters and velcro them to an old pair of glasses because if I am going to be wearing ugly eye wear I might as well have an original pair.

Jack

My First Brian Henry Writing Course

Welcome to my blog.  It's been quite awhile since I have ventured into the world of blogs and twitter, but I am feeling good about it.

I had the pleasure of attending Brian Henry's "The Secret's of Writing a Page Turner" this past weekend in Gravenhurst with my friend Wayne.   It was my first Brian Henry course but not my first road trip with Wayne.  The drive went quickly even with a detour around the Santa Claus Parade.  The course itself held great information and I believe that it will help strengthen my writing.  As usual though the entertainment of the day was not from the activity itself.

I would like to know if I have an invisible sign, a magnet, that draws those people that like to walk to the beat of their own drummer.  Wayne and I had secured a table with two chairs to avoid, being joined by someone that maybe we wouldn't enjoy the company of.  One and a half hours into the workshop a man arrives to the edge of our table asking to sit with us.  He seemed that he was just a regular writer.  During our time of sharing what we had written and when we left I found out differently.  Our new table companion was a conspiracy theorist.  Normally I am all for a good conspiracy - but please - have your facts checked before telling me your tale.

I will preface this that before this portion of the conversation prior was about aliens, and government officials.  His theory that the "lost" angels are in Los Angeles because as he informed me that is what "Lost Angels" is in Spanish.  After I stopped laughing (internally of course) I corrected him that in Spanish. Los Angeles is The Angels.  He then described the link between witches and wizards and Hollywood because that is what all of their wands are made of Holly.  I again corrected that the traditional wood for a Witch or Wizard would be made of Willow.


He didn't share much after that.  Wayne talked to him a bit more, but I had enough.  Why are the freaks always drawn to come sit next to me and tell me their tale.

Well, I guess it makes life interesting.

Jack

Quote for today: I don't like jail, they got the wrong kind of bars in there - Charles Bukowski