Guess what friends?
This is my one hundredth blog post!
Heavens to Betsy, I can hardly believe it.
I started Ye Olde Rant and Roll last October, because I was missing creative writing something fierce.
I was already writing a boat load for work- including blogging three times a week – so I figured if I had the stamina to keep it up at my job, there was absolutely no reason why I couldn’t stick to a schedule of writing three times a week for fun.
(Hilarious almost typo. I first wrote “fur” instead of fun. I most definitely would not write three times a week for fur.)
At first all of my posts were Rants. (Definitely capital R.)
There was bad stuff going down all over the world, including in my own back yard, and I wanted to draw attention to those issues.
I had a voice – I might as well use it.
This was fantastic for the first little while, until I realized that I wasn’t totally worked up about issues all the live long day. I didn’t have enough things grinding my gears to produce three posts a week.
Plus, amazing, intriguing, inspiring things were happening on an almost daily basis – brilliant things were going on, and they were affecting me as much as the other issues I was discussing.
So gradually, I began to explore different sides of the world, and my life, through this here blog spot.
I started writing about fashion. And food. I wrote more about my life with Mr. M and our little beauty cat Nymeria.
I wrote about past travel plans, vacation adventures as they were happening, and I’ve hinted about expeditions that will soon be coming down the pipe.
(Mixed metaphor? Oh well, I’m owning it.)
I’m chronicling my progression to Tough Mudder status, unpacking my love-hate relationship with professional hockey, and singing the praises of my always entertaining family, my brilliant friends.
BUT! One the most important elements of this insanely wonderful ride is I’ve had the chance to meet all you rad-freaking-tastic readers and writers.
And I love that I get to have a glimpse into your lives, your stories, your rants and your rolls.
I’ve started writing upwards of five times a week because I feel so honoured to be a part of this amazing community, and I just get so jazzed the heck up all the time about stories that, well, jazz me the heck up!
A couple of you have asked me where I got my nickname from. So prepare yourselves for a thrill!
Well, almost three summers ago I worked with two beautiful young ladies, both the same height, one brunette and one blond. One day I made a joke to another colleague about them being Betty and Veronica. He turned to me and asked, “well, what does that make you?”
“Um,” I said. “Well…I’m tall, and lanky, and pretty nerdy. So – I guess that makes me Ethel?”
And it did. To many, many people from that day forth, I was Ethel.
The second part stems from a lunch break I had the day after I defended my Master’s thesis. I spent the whole time describing my research to a co-worker. At the end of my (ahem) rant, he asked me if I would rather he call me “doctor” or “the dean.”
“The dean,” I said.
So there you go. The birth of Ethel the Dean!
And to mark this auspicious occasion, if there are any other questions you have about my bonkers life, I’d be happy answer them.
(To an extent. Or for fur.)
Rant and Roll 
I love the sunset picture – lovely way to describe a feeling. Congrats on powering along with your blog adventure! I do have to say that your writings inspire me to write! Sometimes I read yours and then head directly to my blog and type away. So I hope that’s a big compliment because that’s exactly what I mean for it to be!
So, to get the question ball rolling I will ask something random: what 5 words would you use to describe yourself? I know that to define anyone in 5 words is really shortchanging their attributes but I’m curious as to what your words are.
Anyways, it’s great to hear that this blog gives you as much joy as it does your readers! Good work! :)
That sunset snap never fails to give me a warm glow inside :) And thank you! I take that as a huge compliment! What a lovely thing to say. And I’m stoked that I can inspire others to write – it’s a positive feedback loop, it is!
Hmmm, 5 words eh? Well, passionate would be one for sure. Driven would be another. Eccentric (because goodness knows I’m pretty darn weird.) Colourful (but my dress and sometimes my language!) And creative/imaginative.
So there you have it! M and I once went to theatre sports and they did a scene around my visit to France. They asked M for one work to describe me and he said “enthusiastic”- Hilarious hijinks were make up around that!
I gotta learn how to put videos in posts…you kids and your fancy computers.
In the post picture button(?) click on the top where it says URL. (I’m pretty sure that is obtuse as hell, so I’ll try again later when my brain is working!)
Beautiful Pics! Congrats on your 100th blog post!
Thank you so much! It’s been a terrific ride so far – looking forward to the next 100!!
Congratulations! That is awesome! You have a very impressive commitment to writing and are an inspiration to me. Hmmm, it’s funnny, it took me a few posts to figure out that you live in Canada. My question is, what part? I’m sure you’ve answered that or mentioned it in other posts, but I’ve missed it. No specifics requested of course, we all love our anonymity!
Thank you! And thank you again! I must say that the sentiment on my end is exactly the same :) I love reading your writing.
I live in New Westminster (a smaller city just 20 min outside of Vancouver – it used to be the capital of BC before it moved to Victoria) but I work in Vancouver (I play there quite a bit too!), although I love the heritage and character of New West so much I don’t know if I could ever move back to Van (which just keeps getting more and more expensive!)
Have you ever been out this way? If you haven’t, bring the hubs and kidlets sometime – it’s beautiful!
Congratulations on 100 blog posts m’dear! I defo enjoy your ranting and rolling along about your days, weekends and evenings and look forward to many more!
Thank you so much Ms. B! Here’s to 100 more (man – it’s just going to keep getting stranger round these here parts!)
xx
Congrats! Keep on writing, Ethel The Dean, you help to make my days more bearable. You’re one of the few I’ve met that has this ability to make the normal everyday stuff sound so fun and interesting and I’m so very glad I’ve stumbled upon this here blog of yours. Keep on writing and enticing me with your tofu (grrr!) Rant on, mi amigo, that’s how we roll! (I don’t even know if that made any sense, but what the heck)
Thanks Ms. Devina! I want to say the exact same thing back to you :) I’ll see what else I can whip up with tofu for your liking… :)
And I love you last sentence – that is exactly, exactly how I roll!
Congrats to ur 100th post! Beautiful sun!
Thank you so much! :)
Congratulations- 100 posts is no mean feat- keep it up! I must say your posts are what I look forward to for an inspirational boost. You’re always so positive and brimming with creativity. It’s contagious too, I always feel like I want to write more and work harder to do the things I love more often. Thanks for the constant inspiration and hilarious anecdotes! <3
What a lovely, lovely comment! Thanks so much :) The feeling is definitely mutual. I can’t tell you how much I enjoy reading your writing!