And it is Royal, no less

Most of the country is headed towards the Civic (or Bank) Holiday, a lovely long weekend introduction to August. Round these part of course we await Regatta Day - the only civic holiday is North America to be determined by committee.

(Image: art1club.com.)

Hot dog

On the grass outside the Education Building, a family is having a little picnic. The wind is a bit strong but they are holding their own and seem to be enjoying that most American summery of foods.

(Image: allpostersimages.com.)

Nouvelles Peintures @ Emma Butler Gallery

Jean Claude Girardin's latest show begins this Saturday, and you can see works on line, too. (Just sit by your computer with a glass of sauvignon blanc; it will almost be like attending the opening.)

(Image: Migration, emmabutler.com.)

Answer to a deep blue riddle

Were you also captivated by the story of the strange medallion 13-year-old Luke Myles found in the codfish in Fortune Bay? It appears the mystery has been solved.

(Image: allahazam.com.)

Fall issue editing stage 2

We've got, oh, 20% of our copy in, nicely ahead of our deadline. Gives us lots of time to cover pages with little squiggly marks.

(Image: www.hsj.org.)

Republic hits the streets

Lines of cube trucks on the corner of Bond and Colonial, guys in reflective vests directing cars away from Gower Street, a cluster of tourists at the foot of Holloway gathered in an observant knot around lighting boxes and a boom mike - must be the hit series Republic of Doyle is in lights! camera! sound! production.

(Image: cbc.ca)

Education en plein air

Outside the NQ office windows, we can hear the voices of seminars and classes who have moved their scolastical business outside to conduct themselves on the green lawns in the sunshine. The summer semester has only about two weeks left, it seems to pass faster than the others, barely arcing from lilacs blooming to Regatta Day.

(Image: chem.mun.ca.)

Vacation H&G

A 'staycation' used to mean holidaying at home because it was too expensive to go anywhere. But lots of people are taking staycations because they're too busy to go anywhere - they're working on the house. Maybe you're in the midst of a redesign - this might juice up your reno inspiration.

(Image: hostessblog.)

According to a friend of a friend of mine...

'Myth' tends to evoke classic stories and imagery, like Helen of Troy or Robin Hood. But urban legends are a kind of ongoing myth, too, much aided these days by the framework of the internet, Facebook and twitter. Here's a guide to today's most popular ones, and tips on how to spot them.

(Image: yesterland.com.)

Fall issue enters editing stage

With our contributors working away, it's time to focus on the submissions we have already received, or produced on our own. Time to get out the red pen and start making squiggly marks in the margin. Time to edit.

"But editing, I believe, is something we all do, a fundamental human tendency. We correct ourselves all the time as we speak, going back to replace the wrong word with a better one, to fix a double negative, etc. We also do it collectively, often without even realizing it."

- Dennis Drabelle, The Washington Post. Here's the whole article.

(Image: amazon.com.)

Just like Frankie Goes to Hollywood Used to Say

A month to copy deadline, we've re-circulated our dates, our own material is coming together - but still, I can't stop worrying. In fact, my mind is clicking along a well-grooved worry loop. In fact, my own horoscope told me yesterday, "Stop worrying." Here are some tips that supposedly make that happen, to which I'd add: catch the occasional movie matinee.

(Image: tuesza.files.wordpress.com.)

Fall issue: Myths, the voice of

The NQ has been conducting some intriguing interviews lately. We're researching myths of Newfoundland and Labrador History, so we're chatting about Sheila NaGueira, the Masterless Men, all kind of characters, symbols and metaphors from our past, and how they speak to us today. Maybe we'll even come across this guy: the title after all is Arthur in Avalon.

(Image: www.pbs.org. Painting by Sir Edward Burne Jones.)

Cool Beans

Iced tea is lovely on a hot day, but coffee drinkers aren't without options. This makes a sweet, striking brew.

(Image: ineedcoffee.com.)

And believe it or not it actually relates to our Winter Issue*

Someone was blasting this as I walked to work this morning, reminding me it is the best video ever.

(Image: wordpress.com.)

*more on that later.

Three lovely words...

...long summer weekend. Repeat as desired. (Perhaps you are planning a picnic?)

(Image: vintagelifenetwork.)

And it's down to the final

A bit adrift without FIFA? Here's a bit of online fun, might help pass the time.

(Image: smart-kit.com.)

Here's to you

Back in the office after a great chat on Crosstalk. One thing that surprised me was how many callers liked magazines first and foremost for their recipes. We don't include many recipes in the NQ, but I do link to the occasional one on this blog. Here's one for what might be the nicest of summertime drinks: white wine sangria.

(Image: drinks-recipe.us.)

NQ on CBC Crosstalk tomorrow

In case you're in earshot of CBC Radio tomorrow, Wednesday July 7, the NQ will be on chatting with Radio Noon host Ramona Dearing* about magazines and so forth - so lend us your ears!

(Image: sunbelt-software.com.)

(*Incidentally she's a fabulous writer.)

Fall issue under construction

It is summer, just look at the pots and baskets of flowers so colourfully available outside the supermarket of your choice. As nicely distracting as gardening can be, the NQ retains focus on the next issue, starting to get our beams aligned and riveted, ie. whatever it is these brave guys are at here.

(image: nfb.ca.)

And we're back...

...from our gig on the lovely, foggy Burin Peninsula. Vol. 103. no. 2 ahead.
(Image: artandcarol.ca.)