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The Maple Leaf Rag

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Mapleleaf Man

Canada

October 18, 2007

Someone asked me how I got to be what I am or where I am or who I am, something like that. I wasn't really sure how to interpret this since I haven't been asked this before. You know how language can be changed when it goes from someone's mind who doesn't speak English naturally to someone who does. Well, this very dull blog will attempt to answer her questions. Bear with me, ok?

When I was in school, the early school years back in a very small town in Ontario, I used to get bored. The only real book that I had to look at in class was a dictionary so that's what I did, I read the dictionary in class. The teacher, Mrs. Davis used to comment on that to her future students. Maybe that's how I got interested in words, who knows?

Earlier than that, I guess in Grade 3 or something, maybe later, I used to load up with books to take home for the weekend. We lived in an old stone and frame farmhouse that had no insulation. In the winter, the only warm place was my bed so I would read there in the evenings. I would read and read. Some evenings I would draw also but I never became a good artist but, I will admit, I'm not a bad writer. 

Later on, in high school, I started to write. Poetry about the girl of the moment, about the wind, about the weather, about the seasons, whatever moved me at that time. One summer, the summer when I was 15, I wrote a story about a magical chair  that could  satisfy your every need. I sent the story off to a local Canadian magazine. Wonder of wonders! They bought it! I was in heaven. Even then the cheque they sent was pretty good: 75 Canadian dollars. I forget what I spent it on but that set me off on a spree of writing. All that summer I explored my talent, or lack of, writing everything I could think of. I still have all of it. I guess my kids will discover it after I die. 

University time came and I headed off to Montreal to attend what was then Loyola College. It was heaven and hell all in one. I was away from my future wife but I loved the classes and the people there. It was cool, too, taking film courses at night and English courses in the daytime. I slept through the classic Russian series but managed to stay awake for the Hitchcock films. My writing continued and I was lucky enough to get a centrespread in the Loyola school newspaper.

Later, I moved to Toronto and attended Ryerson, got my degree in Motion Picture Technology and kept writing. I never sent anything else off to get published, maybe I should have, but I never got around to it.

So what makes me 'me'? Exploring, interacting, talking to people from everywhere, watching and observing everything I see and reading. I read almost my whole time when I am not working or not sleeping. While computers are my main interest, I also really enjoy talking to people online. Listening to stories about different cultures and different countries is the most interesting thing I do these days.

That's it! If I think of something more to add to this creation, I'll add it later. Don't fall asleep reading this!!

 

  

More entries: A New Year, New Ways to Learn (1), English sucks...but don't give up. (6), Learning English is never easy, but it's worth the effort. (4), Easy English Stories, English vocabulary - another way to learn (1), A Shit of Paper (3), Break a leg - another English idiom. , Repost: Are all Chinese girls lesbians? (3), How language affects your life. (3), Chinese Writing (5)

View all entries from The Maple Leaf Rag >

06:58 AM Oct 22 2007

Dubai,Jewels
United Arab Emirates

Not bad Undecided

08:19 AM Oct 20 2007

pikipikipiki
Thailand

Hello Brian, it's really good story! Thank you to share us about your life. Not only we have learned english from your writing but also how to succeed in what you dream to be! Your storry inspired me to chase my dream ^-^ I'm looking forward to reading your next blog.

Have a good weekend!

12:04 PM Oct 19 2007

chikku
India

Thanks a lot! I think everyone ought to read this blog and try to emulate the good example set by the writer. It is the most ‘interesting’ blog of yours and you are the true inspiration to all aspiring to improve their language.

01:33 PM Oct 18 2007

Vanhallo

Vanhallo
Sweden

That's an interesting story. If more people could write blogs about their life story so far then I think I'd actually enjoy reading it. As you mentioned you do have the ability to write. It's easy read and by that I do not mean that you write in a simple way. I mean that the sentences are well linked to each other.

It's nice to see someone that actually takes time to write a real blog. I mean the average standard of blogs on this site is fairly simple. Those blogs are not going to help me improve my English. However yours are and for that I thank you.

I have spoken to you about me wanting to visit Canada sometime so I am familiar with you. Just wanted to mention that.

Cheers!