{"id":2680,"date":"2017-04-07T22:47:34","date_gmt":"2017-04-08T01:47:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/peelbooks.com\/susanjoycejourneys\/?p=2680"},"modified":"2017-04-07T22:47:34","modified_gmt":"2017-04-08T01:47:34","slug":"why-create-susan-joyce-interviews-curious-creative-people-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/peelbooks.com\/susanjoycejourneys\/2017\/04\/why-create-susan-joyce-interviews-curious-creative-people-2\/","title":{"rendered":"WHY CREATE? Susan Joyce Interviews Curious, Creative People."},"content":{"rendered":"

Welcome to my Why Create?<\/em> interview series!<\/p>\n

Do artists create works because they are producing objects for future generations to view? Do writers write to inspire and influence others? Or, is creative work conductive to our happiness? Our purpose? In my interview series with creative people, I hope to find answers as we explore the creative process and motives.<\/p>\n

Today I welcome Author, Artist, Poet, Cook, and Traveller, Syd Blackwell to my Why Create?<\/em> interview series!<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Syd Blackwell <\/strong>is a native of Rossland, BC (Canada), a tranquil mountain town that was once a booming mining town. The peace of nature, and the remnants of history were instrumental in his formative years. He became a teacher and worked in schools and colleges for twenty-five years. These work years were interspersed with acting in amateur theatre, and planning set and sound work.\u00a0 Syd co-authored an historical atlas, wrote poems for a collection called Life Is A Poem<\/i>, became a weekly newspaper columnist, featuring the local bridge club, created a newsletter for high school student recruitment, and wrote many published articles.<\/p>\n

When Syd retired from teaching, he helped design a bed and breakfast inn and became the innkeeper of Wintergreen Inn in Revelstoke, BC.<\/p>\n

I first met Syd and his wife, Gundy, when my husband and I visited Uruguay in 2009 to see if it would be a good country to move to from Mexico. As we pulled into their front drive, in Atl\u00e1ntida, Uruguay, I noticed a \u201chand-painted\u201d sign on the gate. \u201cCasa Inspiraci\u00f3n.\u201d I heard dogs bark, welcoming us, and thought, Ah, interesting people! That was eight years ago and we continue to marvel at the lives of these two curious and creative souls.><\/p>\n

Susan Joyce:<\/strong>\u00a0 Syd Blackwell, thanks for allowing me to quiz you regarding your life and various projects! How did you meet your wife Gundy? Why did you move to Uruguay?<\/p>\n

Syd Blackwell:<\/strong> In 2002, I was an innkeeper.\u00a0\u00a0 A woman bought a small B&B on the other side of Revelstoke.\u00a0 A couple of months later, she phoned to ask if she could meet me to ask some questions.\u00a0 I agreed.\u00a0 When she showed up at my inn, dressed in a black business suit, carrying a black attach\u00e9 case, I hid my amusement.\u00a0 She had found it difficult so far, and sought experienced advice. \u00a0Possibly my first suggestion was a more relaxed wardrobe. During the discussion, I learned she was single.\u00a0 Later, I suggested that she needed to know the area better to provide service to her guests.\u00a0 Then, I invited her to join me on my daily dog walk. And then things progressed.<\/p>\n

In 2006, we came to Uruguay on a two-week trip seeking a quicker medical solution than Canada could give for Gundy\u00b4s deteriorating hips.\u00a0 Before we came, we checked out online house listings between $40,000 and $65,000.\u00a0\u00a0 One, seemed much better than others.\u00a0 We thought we might look, if we found time.\u00a0 Well, we found time to look at several houses, and the one we had seen, with three bedrooms, carport, closed barbecue area, swimming pool, and perimeter fence, for $45,000, was such a remarkable deal that we agreed to buy at once. Five hundred dollars from an ATM started the process.\u00a0 So, we found ourselves on the plane heading home with the realization we had, de facto, <\/i>decided to sell our businesses and retire to Uruguay.\u00a0 Quite a surprise, really!\u00a0 Later, Gundy got her new hips.<\/p>\n

Susan Joyce:<\/strong> You taught art and music. Do you play a musical instrument? Do you sing?<\/p>\n

Syd Blackwell:<\/strong> I took piano lessons as a child, but was never very talented.\u00a0 I played French horn throughout high school, but never since.\u00a0 Even the shower shudders when I sing.<\/p>\n

Susan Joyce:<\/strong>\u00a0 The shower shudders? Oh dear! What did you learn through teaching? Did it change you?<\/p>\n

Syd Blackwell:<\/strong> The most daunting challenges become smaller when you take the first step.\u00a0 Teaching forever changed me.\u00a0 Although I left teaching, teaching never left me. In this century, reconnecting on the internet with dozens of former students, has been most enjoyable.<\/p>\n

Susan Joyce:<\/strong>\u00a0 I’ve observed, through your written works and art that you always tell a story. Did teaching help you develop storytelling?<\/p>\n

Syd Blackwell:<\/strong> I think teaching provided more stories.\u00a0 I have always felt a need to tell stories.\u00a0 For example, in junior high school, we were tasked with writing a story and then reading it aloud in front of the class.\u00a0\u00a0 A horror for most.\u00a0 At my turn, I began my story of \u201cthe life of a penny\u201d.\u00a0 I already knew it was longer than most had written, but when the first funny line appeared, and the class laughed, I improvised more than what was on the page.\u00a0 I got top marks for presentation and a few questions later from Mr. Buchanan, about all the missing bits from my written copy.<\/p>\n

Susan Joyce:<\/strong>\u00a0 Quite impressed that you have visited nearly fifty countries over the years. Which is your favorite and why? Which is your least favorite and why?<\/p>\n

Syd Blackwell:<\/strong> I could make a case for one country to answer both questions, but as I only visited two places in Indonesia, Bali and Jakarta, it would hardly be fair. \u00a0Besides, the Bali I knew doesn’t exist any longer.\u00a0 My favourite country is Canada.\u00a0 It is so amazing and big and diverse, but, as I am Canadian, I will pick New Zealand, which has abundance and variety of natural beauty.\u00a0 My least favourite is also the smallest, the Vatican.\u00a0 I don\u00b4t think this is the place to discuss why.<\/p>\n

Susan Joyce:<\/strong> In your travels, did you have any dangerous situations? Any scary moments?<\/p>\n

Syd Blackwell:<\/strong> Quite a few of both.\u00a0One dangerous encounter was in New Delhi.\u00a0 I was weak, recovering from hepatitis, and doing an evening walk in a narrow street near my lodgings.\u00a0 I was being pestered by persistent people trying to sell things.\u00a0 One kept grabbing at my shirt as I tried to ignore them.\u00a0 Hepatitis doesn’t help your patience, and after the second or third warning, I turned around and hit him in the shoulder, knocking him to the ground.\u00a0 Well that wasn’t the right thing to do, as an angry crowd instantly materialized, screaming, yelling, and threatening.\u00a0 I had my back against a wall and worked my way as quick as I could back to the corner and a busier street, where the crowd dispersed.<\/p>\n

Of the many scary things, climbing Uluru (Ayers Rock) in Australia was terrifying; I have acrophobia.\u00a0 I wrote a poem, Vertigo Australianus<\/i>.<\/p>\n

Susan Joyce:<\/strong>\u00a0 One fun thing I’ve learned is that you judged the annual Amsterdam Cannabis<\/i> Cup. What year? How did this opportunity arise? Was it a fun assignment? Did you write about it?<\/p>\n

Syd Blackwell:<\/strong> In 2001, I decided to celebrate my 55th<\/sup> birthday.\u00a0 On the internet, I found that the 13th<\/sup> Cannabis Cup in Amsterdam, would nearly coincide with my November birthday.\u00a0 I invited my friend, Byron, who had helped at my inn, to join me.\u00a0 Soon, another friend, Phil, decided to come.\u00a0 We landed in Amsterdam on my birthday.\u00a0 The Cannabis Cup, involving judging marijuana and hashish samples from 22 different coffee houses, began two days later, and lasted four days. There was private bus transportation between coffee houses. There was also a trade show and nightly musical acts.\u00a0 Anyone who paid the $200 fee could become a judge.\u00a0 It was fantastic – as far as I can remember.\u00a0 I have told the story often, but not written it.<\/p>\n

Susan Joyce:<\/strong> Why do you make<\/i> art? Why do you write?<\/p>\n

Syd Blackwell:\u00a0<\/strong> I create because it makes me feel good.\u00a0 I am happy when others can also see and share in my pleasure.<\/p>\n

\"Syd<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Susan Joyce:<\/strong>\u00a0 Your walking sticks are awesome! What projects are you working on now?<\/p>\n

Syd Blackwell:<\/strong>\u00a0 I already have too many Travel Stories<\/em> and Travel Highlights<\/em> for entry into Robert Fear\u00b4s newest contest, yet I just wrote another one today. Check out Red Shoes<\/em><\/a> by Syd Blackwell.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

No new mega-projects happening, like last year\u00b4s privately circulated Uruguay Days<\/i>, a book of poems and photos.<\/p>\n

Syd’s memoir, Innside Stories: Anecdotes from Wintergreen Inn 1995-2004<\/em><\/a> is a delightful collection of tales by an innkeeper who loves sharing stories.<\/p>\n

Thanks Syd Blackwell! Delighted to get to know you better..<\/p>\n

Susan Joyce<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Welcome to my Why Create? interview series! Do artists create works because they are producing objects for future generations to view? Do writers write to inspire and influence others? Or, is creative work conductive to our happiness? Our purpose? In my interview series with creative people, I hope to find answers as we explore the … <\/p>\n

Continue reading “WHY CREATE? Susan Joyce Interviews Curious, Creative People.”<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[32,2,14,26,69],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2680","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-art","category-authors","category-inspirational","category-travel","category-uruguay"],"post_mailing_queue_ids":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/peelbooks.com\/susanjoycejourneys\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2680","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/peelbooks.com\/susanjoycejourneys\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/peelbooks.com\/susanjoycejourneys\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/peelbooks.com\/susanjoycejourneys\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/peelbooks.com\/susanjoycejourneys\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2680"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/peelbooks.com\/susanjoycejourneys\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2680\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/peelbooks.com\/susanjoycejourneys\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2680"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/peelbooks.com\/susanjoycejourneys\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2680"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/peelbooks.com\/susanjoycejourneys\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2680"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}