Toonik Tyme Day 4

the dog races on the sea ice started at 9AM. we slept in. we didn't make it. we made it to the craft show, and while walking there we spotted, from up high, snowmobile races on the sea ice. they looked like bug. we were that high.

we also spotted the igloos from yesterday's competition. still standing.

the craft show was packed. a visitor commented: "you people take things seriously." yes we do.

seal skin mitts were going for $100 or more. they say that nothing can be compared to these real mitts. frankly, i'm not sure. the mitts that i got at the MEC kept my hands super warm at
-45C, and they fit me better, and were more adjustable. and i am not going out if it is colder than -45C.

regardless, it was really neat to see the traditional clothing--it is beautiful. and some even smelled like fish!

then i walked to the airport to pick up our foodmail order. i ordered green onions for the first time since we came here, and it came in pretty decent shape. i'm becoming more adventurous, and less anxious about 'losing' money if a product comes in a bad condition.

i was looking forward to the traditional community feast and games. we missed the feast. when we arrived there was almost nothing left on the blue plastic sheets spread on the floor. what was left was bloody and smelled of fish. maybe i am not ready for the traditional foods. no, i am not.

then the games started. the first one was pure fun. each contestant had to run while screaming, or scream while running, and the one running the longest distance on one breath wins. fun, fun, fun. there was a line up of participants. a lot of laughter. some tripped fell. some tried to cheat. some covered their ears.

then the washrooms over-flooded and we had to go home. bummer.

Toonik Tyme Day 3

today we had the best weather ever. -9C, now wind, and sunny. i didn't wear my hat or mitts. the sun was hot on my face. thin delicate snowflakes were falling from the clear, blue sky.

we were set to see the igloo building competition. the location was TBA. after i called the organisers' number (no answer), the visitors' center (no answer), the museum (i was told to call the visitors' center), we called the cab, and the driver knew were it was. he had spotted a crowd behind the arctic college, by the fire hall.

4 people competed. about 100 watched. block by block little igloos took shape. beating the last year's record of 60 min by 20 min a sweaty elder put the last block of the dome (from the inside) and cut an opening to crawl out. about a dozen children climbed right it.

it all depends on your first row, i was told. the angle has to be just right. too straight, and you end up with a beehive.

i will update with photos.

Toonik Tyme -- opening ceremony

i walked to the arena with the kids in a soft, gentle snowfall. usually even if it 'snows' here, it is not snow, it is 'ice crystals', according to what the weather hotline announces. yesterday the snowfall was real, and it was amazing. the earth and the sky were white. i have to admit that i did worry about a white-out -- when the snowfall becomes so thick and heavy you don't see your outstretched arm. i was told people die in white-outs, meters away from their doorstep.

the set up for the festivities was the nicest i've seen here so far, and the event was lovely. i think i expected more people, but there was no space for more anyway.

some highlights: tiny girls throat-singing; break-dancing; a guitars and drums band; and a real drum dancer to open the festivities. the acoustics were terrible, of course.

when we are home, the snow is soft enough for snow angels



i glanced at the schedule for today's events, and nothing attracted me. besides, the wind is strong, and we feel like staying at home.

Toonik Tyme

i'm alive. i've been shamed. i will blog. i'm here.

today is the first day of Toonik Tyme, the festival that celebrates the arrival of spring. YES! spring is in the air. -11C, calm wind. the sun is hot and the snow is melting. on the playground today we found a patch of really awesome wet dirt. the opening ceremony is today at 6:30PM and i hope to make it.

in writing news: i'm writing a lot. revising, writing new stories, revising again. i feel i have no time for everything i want to do. since starting the humber course i feel my writing moved forward, i like the direction it is taking, and enjoying the process. but again, i feel there is no time. i force myself to get up after the kids are asleep, but sometimes i am too sleepy and end up spending two hours reading crap on line, rather than writing.

i also have another line-editing client, and even though the money is great, i feel i need more time for my own stuff.

other than that, i am enjoying my life, the spring, my kids, my friends, my writing.

i'm going to report on the Toonik Tyme festivities in the next week.

check often!