Week in a nutshell

So much has happened in the last week, it's dizzying. All has been positive and thought-provoking, though. Here's a brief run-down:

• Donato Mancini read to an intimate crew last Friday in Toronto. I really dug his work, and was deeply impressed with his generous As for our Qs. He's kindly shared one of his poems with me, which I, in turn, plan to share with a group of high-school students this week...
• ...which leads me to school. I'm working with another round of OAC AiE projects this year, placing me in high schools for lengthy stretches. I'm pleased to be working alongside one of my favourite educators as I facilitate discussions and exercises for her literacy course. We covered hefty ground during our first visit (these students dug deep from the get-go, a promising sign we'll have an informative week ahead of us).
• I nuited and blanched from 7pm Saturday to 7am Sunday. The night proved a combination of "Hallowe'en for artists" and "endurance test." I dressed up as a poet and was thrilled by the turn-out and feedback in my basement corner, even though the 12-hour arting felt daunting as I began. Fascinating set of unpredictables for the readings included ambient noise and foot traffic that occasionally impeded on my personal space, which in turn had me conjure intense levels of focus. Reports from Cecil Street Community Centre, where I was set up, mention that approximately 4,000 people came to our venue. Thank you to all who listened, questioned, chillaxed, discussed, and especially those who whisked me away during breaks for road pop and axe tales!
• Mercury's new website is up and getting its sea legs.
  
• One week til Iceland. Schweet!!