Winnipeg

When I jumped in my barely-functioning car and made the 25+ hour drive to Winnipeg approximately eight years ago, (alone save for a mannequin's head in the passenger seat next to me), I never expected that I would stay here for so long. Much to my surprise, however, seven years ago I met and eventually married a Winnipeg man who, like many born and bred Manitobans, stubbornly loves his province.

While there are people and cultural aspects of B.C that I still miss, Winnipeg, like the slow drip-drip-drip of her much anticipated spring, has grown on me: the roads pock-marked with pot-holes, the endless summer construction that seems conveniently designed to block any traffic from leaving the city, the neon-green worms that greet my hair as I brush past any tree, and likewise, the mosquitoes that arrive every evening now, expecting to be seated on my arm/leg/face/butt and have a meal at my expense. Oh, and Tim Horton's. The morning line-ups of Winnipeggers needing their fix; I am guilty.

One of the chapters in my graphic novel 'How I Contracted Hep C and Other Bedtime Stories' contains this road trip from my home province to the welcoming sign declaring that Winnipeg is truly, 'One Great City'.

Very rough draft of one of these pages. Enjoy!

Dentist woes

Well, I finally have a new dentist. It is embarrassing to admit, but not only have I not gone to my dentist for an unreasonably long amount of time, but my new dentist is less than a block from where I live. In fact, I can actually see the dentist sign from my office window as I type this. That is procrastination, my friends!

So why am I writing about the dentist, you ask. Well, the other day, in my failed attempt to get into see a (medical) doctor at the walk-in clinic just up the street, I had to walk past the aforementioned dentist office. I decided, on the spur of the moment, that today would be the day that I would go in there, and book myself a cleaning. So I did just that -- I walked in.

The receptionist was efficient but friendly, and immediately made me an appointment for the first Monday in March. At that point, however, at the time, the inevitable question floated into my head: do I tell her about my Hep C+ status?

This is a dilemma, as too much information at the wrong time can be as damaging as no information. But, recognizing that dentists put themselves at risk by dealing with my teeth/gums/etc I, at some level, prepare myself to possibly be denied services.

Moreso than the possiblity of needing to inform her of my positive status, I was upset at myself for feeling ashamed (about having the virus). Why would I be shamed? I do not know -- I never engaged in any typical activities associated with Hep C transmission that may be frowned upon by the general public; I simply had blood transfusions that had not been checked properly for HCV. That's it. Not my fault.

So, I quietly gave myself a good talking-to, and in the end, I did not devulge my positive status to the receptionist. I left the office, glad for an appointment, and willing to discuss such "issues" with the dentist him or herself.

Look for it!

West Central Streets is a non-profit community newspaper based in the West Central community of Winnipeg, bounded by Portage, Arlington, Notre Dame and Carlton. The purpose of the paper is to give voice to the interests, struggles and achievements of people who live in the community.

As one of those people who choose to live in this particular community, plus being an illustrator who is working on a graphic novel about the tainted blood scandal, I somehow ended up in the latest edition.

So if you live in the West End of Winnipeg, look for my shiny face & accompaning article in your mailbox at the end of the month!

In case you did not make it out to the show...

here are a few photos to re-create the event. Imagine with me, if you like, an intimate (small) gallery of two rooms, 30+ illustrations framed in blue and hanging from the walls, 40ish people mingling about, live music filling the air, and finger-food of veggies, dip, cracker, cheese and non-alcoholic beverages (good-for-your-liver wine)...and then it will feel ike you were really there.

All photos courtesy of Mandy Shostal. (Thanks Mandy!)

Highlights from the Edge

The show last Friday was a success, with food being eaten, people meeting each other, artwork being discussed, and of course, live music to round it all off. Although I was exhausted by the end of the evening, I enjoyed myself and appreciated the encouragement such feedback gave. Thank you everyone who came!

The preview illustrations will be available for viewing from 12 - 5pm for the next 2 days (The Edge Gallery at 611 Main st.)

And if you cannot make it out to the gallery by Thursday, then here are a few highlights!

Enjoy the 'show' -- !
1. Whose Fault is it?
I get my best ideas and thoughts sorted when doing seemingly mundane tasks such as brushing my teeth.
I am intrigued by the commonality of brushing one's teeth. I wonder if Bill Clinton brushed his teeth minutes before accepting the role of Governor of Arkansas in 1978? It was during this time, as tainted blood flowed from Arkansas inmates to other countries then-governor Clinton did not act, despite evidence of severe mis-managment in his prison system and medical operations...

At the time, prisoners were paid $7 US for each pint of "donated" blood.



2. Chronic Renal Disease and Other Things Six-Year-Olds Do Not Understand

3. "Housekeeping!"
In response to the Access to Information request, the Canadian Blood Committee destroys all its minutes and taped proceedings of its meetings dating back to its formation in 1981, a move it later tried to pass of as mere “housekeeping.” (PICARD 218)

Show!

In one month (less a day) I will be hosting a presentational preview of my graphic novel at the Edge Gallery on Main st., here in good ol' Winnipeg. You can expect great music, some light refreshments, a few finished pieces of art and some as-of-yet-to-be-polished illustrations. Sounds like fun to me!