West Vancouver Secondary

I just came from a talk with a creative writing class at West Vancouver Secondary School.  They are working on Biography, so to encourage them to be brave with their writing, and to dive deep, I probably was way more candid than they wanted me to be. 

For example: I was answering a question about something and flipping through my book Singing Songs when it fell open to the chapter, Pooh Pie.  I figured it must be a sign.  “Oh,” I said, gaily.  “I’m going to read you this.  It’s quite funny.” I read Pooh Pie with gusto.  Those of you who have read Singing Songs, know the story and understand that it is generally not something that one brings up within 15 minutes of meeting a roomful of anybody, let alone teenagers. Poop Pie! I don’t know what possessed me.  I normally avoid reading that piece out loud.  Not my most glamorous moment, by any stretch.  And then...I really don’t know what got into me, but when I was finished, I wiggled my fingers at them and said something like, “Oh yes...you had no idea what these hands have done!  Anyone want to shake hands?” Very classy, Meg. 

Oh well, that’s what happens sometimes.  I guess because I’ve spent so much of my life, covering up, telling the public relations spin rather than the truth, it’s like now, with the Q&A portion of my talks, I never know where my answers are going to lead.  Let the inviter beware! 

Speaking of which, this is the second time I’ve visited Sarah’s class and yes, you can tell she is a good teacher, inspires her students, because they asked such smart questions.  Writerly ones.  And it’s wonderful thing for these teens that she is their teacher.  She is intelligent and passionate about writing, and I admire all these things but you know what I’m really envious about?  My god can that woman put together an outfit!  Two times I’ve met her.  Both times she was wearing this amazing eclectic mix of vintage/new/I-don’t-even-know-what-you-call-it, but I want to be able to dress like that.  Honest, we went into this room before it was time for the class, and she was talking and I zoned out for a minute because I was fantasizing about her whisking me off on a What-Not-to-Wear expedition, where she would teach me how it’s done.  Like she was wearing this great chunky necklace made out of these really cool looking stones, with these little dark accents in between, and the color of it went so great with her sweater.  And where did she find such a cute sweater with one little sparkly button at the neck?  And her dress looked to be one of those cool vintage dresses, and she had a little bit of a lace under thing where it veed down.  It’s like the whole thing was like a cool funky glass of water.  Every piece fit. 

I bet she writes really well too.

Posted by Meg Tilly on Wednesday, February 06, 2008 in Chewing the Fat

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