Mailout 102.4

The mags are in, we're getting 'em out.

(Image: pony express, twainquotes.com.)

Clocks make beautiful music

We're watching the clock now, waiting for the magazines to be delivered so we can fling ourselves into the mailout (our biggest ever!). To pass the time we listen to the pretty, pretty Coldplay song.

(Image: Steve Cambronne clocks.)

Yes, I was one of the fools caught without their boots on Saturday

Thought we might dodge it, but I should have known there's no avoiding Sheila's Brush.

(Image: Coley's Point @ flickr.com.)

White Horses

Last night in class we talked about You Are Here, a short play that I worked on with the fabulous Aiden Flynn. Which reminded me of this song, one of the elements we built the story on.

(Image: lyrics5v.)

A sight for sore eyes

I think we can all agree that the less said about yesterday's weather the better. It's especially difficult when you have acquaintances on the mainland all too happy to tell you how they've been running around in halter tops and draping themselves around the sidewalk cafes since March 15. When we brought the NQ to the March Hare in Toronto, it was pretty close to t-shirt weather. Then we came back to the (mercifully) tail end of a massive sleet storm. It was...fairly challenging. Still, the next day, it was mild and calm. I was doing laundry at Mighty White's on Duckworth Street, and the air was dotted with suspended snowflakes, and a boat was sailing out the Narrows. Could you, I wondered, could you really trade this for good weather? Speaking of beautiful views, a friend mentioned this webcam.

(Image: cbc.ca.)

States of perfection

In this gap between filing the magazine with the printers, and waiting for its delivery from same, the NQ exists in some other, ideal world; something crisp, pristine, perhaps even transcendent, and sans typos. Something even approaching the perfection of this perfect rose.

(Image: flickr.com.)

Down to the last edits

& employing this metaphor:

(Image: a fine-toothed comb, www.idiomsbykids.com.)

Almost ready for printing

And you should see the cover; in the words of our designer it's "right purdy." Here's a tease:

(Image: Helen Gregory.)

Check, check

We're deep into proofing here, about to meet with the designers and edit, tweak and generally finesse. Going to press on Monday, that's our plan and we're sticking to it.

(Image: geist.com.)

I Heart Repo Man

My interest piqued with the title. Could it be that they had remade the fabulous underated film of 1984, with the ever wonderful Harry Dean Stanton? Turns out this Repo Men is a new, Jude-law-starring flick, and it is probably fine, but if you haven't seen the first one you are missing out.

(Image: brokencredit.com)

1960s looking good

Viewing the Oscar-nominated An Education (best actress) and A Single Man (best film, best actor, should also have been absolutely best hair for co-star Julianne Moore; her updo for the dinner party scene alone deserved a nod, as did, now that I think of it, her earrings) it seems 1960s fashion remains influential. Jane Birkin of course remains an icon, and her daughters, including Charlotte Gainsbourg, are no slouches either - or rather, Gainsbourg's kind of all slouch, in that rangy jolie laide kind of way.

(Image: skyrock.net.)

NQ @ New Digs

We packed and we packed and we packed a bit more - then we unpacked and unpacked and are pretty much finished that. And the upshot is, we're in a nice new spot, Education Building, fourth floor, excellent view of The Works and its associated comings and goings. By the end of day we'll be proofing the Spring Issue, and, when it's launched we think we'll have a little party here, introduce ourselves to our new neighbours and give a nice buzz to the new magazine. We'll post the details here, maybe you can come up and see us sometime.

(Image: bp.blogspot.com.)

NQ on the move

We're just back from Toronto and hitting the road again - only this time it will bring us to the other side of campus. That's right, the NQ is getting some new digs, in the Education Building. We're looking forward to our new space - but we'll be offline for a day or so. See you back here on Tuesday and that should be it for interruptions for a while! You might say it's all been a bit of a "rush".

(Image: harvard.edu.)

Road hop

We're off to the March Hare fete in Toronto, seeing people, going places, listening to some fine authors and musicians, handing out complementary issues, maybe even making some new friends. Anyone in the metropolis needs an NQ, let me know, we'll be there for ya. (And see everyone back in this space next Wednesday.)

(Image: the gazz.com.)

Through the Trees

Yesterday I slogged through the rain (is there any weather more depressing than sideways rain? I had several discussions on this topic) in pursuit of art; David Kaarsemaker's art, to be specific. He has a show opening this Thursday at Red Ochre Gallery - if you can't make the opening you can view it online.

(Image: David Kaarsemaker, Through the Trees.)

What about that Canadian hockey team

If you'd like to stretch that celebratory Olympic spirit to span one more day, raising a toast to the team/athlete/medal of your choice, this is supposed to be the best champagne in the world.

(Image: conservapedia.com.)