Hello readers,

So, you might have though that I took off with my Ninjamatics’ 2011 Canadian Weblog Awards winnings (ha!) and just ran away to some tropical island after so many months of radio silence here. Well, you’re partly right. My one-year contract at Nimbus Publishing & Vagrant Press wrapped up at the end of February. Since then, I’ve been freelancing. Cokebaby and I also took time off to vacation in Italy and the south of France for the entire glorious month of March.

Now that I’m back and settled in my plan is to more regularly update this space. Expect a lot of posts recapping the trip for the next little while. But I’ll probably also be talking a little bit more about books in the “arts & culture” segments since that’s still a passion of mine. I’m currently on contract with the Atlantic Book Awards as their festival publicist, and freelancing one day per week at Nimbus. If you happen to need an online writer, social media or communications consultant/strategist, you can reach me here.

This year will be full of new and exciting ventures that I’ll share with you as they come to life. As always, thanks for reading and for all of your continued support.

Regards,

Kimberly

If you follow me on Facebook or Twitter you’ll have probably already heard the big news: I gave my letter of notice to the CBC. For many of you this will come as a significant surprise since I’ve always considered this gig to be my dream job. Books, blogging, social media, and online community? I’ve been in literary heaven. You may even remember me lamenting the loss of my dream job in the summer of 2009 (as the result of budget cutbacks).

Hello, Goodbye

Well, the time has come to move on to another opportunity where I’ll learn new things and grow my career. At the end of the month you’ll be looking at the digital and online coordinator for Nimbus Publishing. It’s got everything I want in a job plus the added bonuses of learning about ePublishing AND working with an East Coast company to showcase East Coast talent. A big win in my books.

I don’t see this as closing a door though. The CBC provided me with almost five years of great experiences working with talented people, many of whom I consider very close friends (even though they all work far, far away in Toronto). If the chance came up to work there again at some future crossroads, I’d certainly consider it. But for now I’m opening up another door and seeing what’s on the other side. I hope you’ll join me there.

You can follow Nimbus Publishing on Facebook or on Twitter @NimbusPub.

I’m pleased to announce that the fabulous Lauren Oostveen (@laurenoostveen) will be joining the East Coast By Choice blog. More changes to come to the site in 2011 including a renovation (soon!). If you’re an East Coast business and would like to sponsor giveaways on the blog, please get in touch with me by e-mail at kimberly.aliasgrace [at] gmail [dot] com or @AliasGrace on Twitter. In the meantime, keep posted for lots of fun surprises and lively new content.

So, the blog posts have been a bit sparse here lately. Truth be told, I’m feeling a tad burnt out and therefore a little uninspired.

Feel free to fill in the gaps with stories of your own by submitting them to East Coast Guest Posts.

Or leave a comment below to let me know what kinds of stories you’d like to read about in this space. Restaurant reviews? Books I’m reading? Interviews with East Coast celebrities or regular people? Vacation spots/day trips (my memory of those are vague)?

I’m not just writing to fill space on the internet so I’d love to hear from you personally, gentle reader.

Photo credit: Valerie Everett from Flickr

In actual fact, I’ve long considered myself a bona fide adult. However, for the past few days I’ve been in Toronto for business while also visiting family and I was reminded of how perceptions vary depending on the eyes of the beholder.

For instance, my parents dropped me off at the swanky Intercontinental Hotel after I had stayed with my sister for a few nights. At the hotel, the doorman came to claim my baggage while I thought I was saying my good-byes to my mom and dad.

Um, no.

My mom had visions of the first day of Kindergarten all over again whereby she had to protect her offspring by insisting to the doorman that she accompany me and ensure my reserved room hadn’t been given away. There’s no arguing with the woman. She may be tiny but she’s also tenacious.

Then, while saying our goodbyes she managed to sneak a wad of cash into my coat pocket.

Even though I’m fairly certain she remembers I’m in my thirties, am married, holding down a steady job, have travelled to various parts of the world, she also knows I don’t get to Toronto that often. Likewise they don’t get out to Halifax that much either. So, I had to let her have her mom moment because growing up is sometimes harder on the people who brought you up.

Before the big announcement, I’d first of all like to thank everyone who participated in sharing their love of Barrington Street whether it was of current businesses, past memories or the future potential.

For the next couple of weeks work will be keeping me busy with Canada Reads 2010. If you’re only going to read one book between now and the debates, may I suggest Nikolski? it’s the selection I’m cheering for and moderating a discussion on at the official site.

Now, without further ado, the winners of the historic pewter ornaments are:

• @LoveMeBoutique
• Anne
• @skittlebrau78
• @hfxgirl
• Suzie the Foodie

I’ll be getting in touch with the winners shortly to send off the prizes! Check back later this week for another lovely East Coast Guest Post.

We’re a few days into 2010 already but I thought I’d post about some of the highlights of 2009 in my online world.

It was a pretty busy year.

Cokebaby and I travelled to the South of France for our 10 year wedding anniversary (today marks year 11)! We took a trip with his family in the summer to London and Ireland and got in touch with their roots. And we were treated to an overnight stay in the Peggy’s Cove Area in the fall.

Tofu dog turned two years old.

I was interviewed on Haligonia, did a reading for Seen Reading, wrote guest posts for Geek Girl Camp and Lindsay Olson, recommended a book on Advent Books. And I got to defend werewolves at (un)deathmatch where I’m continuing in Round 3.

Whew! A busy year indeed.

Top posts of 2009

The best kept secret of Halifax sushi restaurants
Bust A Move: Halifax Chicks edition
Tassimo
Pickled think: Beets
The origin of Alias Grace OR Me > Frankenstein’s creature
Cokebaby, the husband
Durty Nelly’s
Hamachi House
No boys allowed
SnauBar Lebanese Cuisine

Top East Coast Guest Posts of 2009
Hello Halifax: You can never go home by Gail Lethbridge
Chef Adam Todd by himself
Green Christmas by Charlene Boyce
Growing up Greek in Nova Scotia by Bessy Nikolaou
Racquel does fashion by Áine (a.k.a. “Racquel Valencia“)
Smart Bites: A little gal’s guide to staying that way over the holidays by Kristen Pickett
Joel Kelly’s guide to dressing sensibly in an office environment by Joel Kelly
Building an eco house? Start saving now by Jeff White
The culinary perspective of an olive thief by Suzie Ridler
Welcome to my ‘hood by Suzanne Hickey

Remember, I’m shaking things up on the blog this year and looking for more of your stories. Interested? E-mail me at kimberly.aliasgrace [at] gmail [dot] com and let’s talk.

It’s no secret that I love my job. The CBC is home to some pretty wonderful Canadian content. Here’s a video showing what we Canadians get for just $34 a year. My fave program—besides, of course, my beloved CBC Books pages—is Radio 3 for great new music and fun podcasts.

What are some of your favourite programs?

Photo credit: Latente from Flickr

So, I’ve been piled under blankets and drinking plenty of fluids for days now. In the midst of the H1N1 scare season, formerly known as the flu season, I have to admit to wondering about if/when I should go see a doctor. The NS government has an Influenza Decision Chart that I found actually pretty helpful/comforting. And then there’s this H1N1 Home Management sheet to help you help a loved one. Or, if you’re a woman, help yourself because let’s face it: there’s a low percentage of male nurses out there for a reason.

Being sick and not being able to do much of anything, I’ve had a lot of time to think. With what’s supposed to be a pandemic AND the holiday season upon us, here’s a shopper’s guide for getting through your illness with comfort:

1. (a) A good blanket. When I Googled “warmest blanket in the world” I came up with slanket. I have no idea what the difference between that and a snuggie is but apparently the slanket is the “original blanket with sleeves.” Yeah, it’s kind of ugly and ridiculous. But, really, you’re not exactly looking your prime when you’re nose is a faucet of snot. Plus, when you’re done with it the brown one could possibly double as a Halloween costume. Either Jedi master or Friar Tuck.

1. (b) If you’ve got a standard blanket, the next best thing to a slanket is a warm sweater. Personally, I’ve been wearing a waterfall cardigan that I brought back from the summer trip to Ireland. It’s a wool sweater made by Ireland’s Eye called a tassle wrap but very much in the style of the waterfall cardigans that are en vogue this season. Easy to throw on and off between bouts of fevers and chills.

2. A big mug. Pre-made or go the extra mile and create one from Claytime Pottery Painting.

3. Warm beverages. Put together a basket from a local shop like The Tea Brewery. Or get together all the ingredients for a hot toddy.

4. IOUs. Maybe these seem lame to the giver of this gift, but not so to the sick person piled beneath blankets desperate for a cup of tea but not willing to leave the warmth. (Hmm…the portability of slankets seems more and more appealing.) Being able to redeem an IOU for a cup of tea, meal, hug, massage, etc. is a great gift for the sick loved one in your life. The catch is, these have to be redeemed without attitude.

So, there you have it. A few ideas for the holidays while thinking of the welfare of your loved ones during this germ-y time of year.

Has anyone else been having trouble sleeping lately? I don’t know if it’s the weather, the time change or what but I feel like I’ve been on auto-pilot this past week due to lack of z’s. As a result, random thoughts have come to into my head. Sort of like the following:

AliasGrace: I think I’d like to be a philanthropist for a living.

Me: …

AliasGrace: What?

Me: What exactly do you think that entails?

AliasGrace: It’s kind of like a socialite except instead of spending money on yourself you spend it on other people. For charity.

Me: Where do you propose to get all this disposable income from?

AliasGrace: *shrugs*

Me: OK, then. You go on daydreaming while I get back to work. I do have bills to pay and a dog to feed.

AliasGrace: Yeah, you go ahead. I guess you’re just the socialite between us.

Me: ..!