Zed News YYC journalist Priya Migneault interviews the Writers' Guild of Alberta's Carol Holmes and the Alexandra Writers' Centre on the 40th anniversary of their individual organizations, the past, where their going in the future, and how the Re/Orientation WGA/AWCS online conference came into being.
Life in Isolation
In March we met for the last time, unaware that weeks of isolation awaited us due to COVID-19. We share a few videos of what isolation looks like to us, from homemade cookies to online classes. Surgical Mask
I have never used surgical masks in my life, till this era. Covid 19 is a devastating, terrible worldwide pandemic that prevents us from interacting with one another. Surgical Masks help prevent the spread of the virus but by wearing them, you become faceless. Like Jekyll and Hyde, the mask protects us while at the same time, also takes away the essence of human interaction from us. This is why surgical mMasks remind me of isolation. - Hari
School books
Books were my constant companion in my school days. Although books help me acquire knowledge of the world around me, there were times when I did not want to have anything to do with them. My memories of my school have always been inextricably linked to books. During the isolation however I have missed that connection to my school, and my books. - Hari
Good Luck Charms Since being stuck inside because of the COVID-19 quarantine, I have had more opportunities than ever to try new things and discover potential new hobbies for me. Making these good luck charms was a way for me to explore my creativity and try new things, and making them reminded me of my friends and how I want to give them these hand-made gifts once I’m able to see them in person again. - Kristina
Cooking Until the Covid era, food meant what I put in my mouth and not what I made. The aroma of food, its texture, its origins and how different ingredients come together to create a symphony of flavours is something I realized when I started cooking. Rice and Steak put simply together on a black porcelain plate was as delightful as it was beautiful. I posted a picture of my first culinary creation on instagram for all to see and for some to admire. - Hari
Rhyming
Cookies are neat because they can be eat(en). Spying on people through your window is great until they see you in your half-dressed state. Found a piece in my underwear; don’t know how it got under there. - Lindsay
The Denman Dilemma
November 4th, 2019 - Over the summer our young journalist Priya Migneault attended an environmental film summer camp on Denman Island, BC. The camp was held in August 2019 at the Elkhaven centre on the Island. The camp is called ECO-DFNDRS and is privately funded by an anonymous individual, who believes in educating youth about film and environmental issues. Those who attend ECO-DFNDRS all have to apply for the camp in May and the camp is almost entirely free for the campers minus the cost of food which is $100. There were 17 campers at the camp in 2019.